I have engine whine coming out of my 4 dr speakers (aftermarket polks) and I cannot get rid of it! The speakers are running through a 4-channel amp. I had heard that a lot of times this is a problem from the deck ground. So the deck has been regrounded, and new RCA's have been run, but it has not solved the issue. The amp ground looks pretty good to me. What else should I try to fix this! It is so annoying!

Aaron

 

I assume the RCAs are not ran on the same side as the power cable. Maybe you should try a ground wire kit.

 

RCAs are on the opposite side of the power/ground wire. What do you mean exactly by a ground wire kit? Do you mean like a ground loop isolator?

 

I also hear a whine on my new set up. Its only on weaker stations like NPR and occassionally on mp3 playback. I am debating whether I care... First, I can turn it up, the whine does not increase with volume. Second, I shouldn't be listening to NPR beeeeull Sheeehot!

My power wire (4awg Lightning audio) is along the driver's side and my rca's (streetwires zero noise) go skraight down the middle. I only have an 8awg ground wire (because I was stupid and bought my first ampo wires at Walmart, Walmart sucks, mm kay). I have a 4awg ground to replace it with when I hook up the sub. The speaker wires run along the rca's for about two feet and then split off to go perpendicular to the left rear speaker and the other three goo along the passenger side. There is quite a bit of extra rca cable that I have wrapped up in a bundle. I suspect this bundle. If the whine makes me crazy, I might try to mess with this bundle.

So if any of this rings a bell for someone, lemme know what causes it. Otherwise, I'll just keep it really f'in loud

 

Check all your grounds. If that dont work, run a wire from the headunit to the amp and see if it goes away. Touch the outside of the headunit with one side and touch the other end of the ground terminal on the amp.

 

i doubt it's the grounds but there is a simple way to test this. using a portable cd player or ipod or anthing of the like, take a headphone to RCA converter, and run rca's into the amp so that the portable devise is now providing the signal. do not use the rac's already ran from the head unit yet. if the whine is still present then the problem in based with the amp (likely a ground issue). If there was no whine, then pull the radio out of the dash, and use the portable source this time using the RCA's already run through the car. if the whine now appears, then you ought to be able to ascertain that the problem lies with the rca's.

if the whine still persists (which i magine it will) then you know it is something to do with the radio. You said you already tried a new ground. well try this, take a wire and run it straight to the negative terminal on the battery. Still a whine? then you know it is coming in trhough the factory power wires.

 

Where is the best place to ground wires to prevent them engine noises?

 

interesting.... Here's a weird one. My cd player also introduces noise from the spinning motor! Its an alpine. There is no noise between tracks. Then, the tracks start and you can hear a whirring sound. This does not get louder with volume

How does one reground a deck, btw?

 

Install a dedicated ground for your head unit. The factory ground is shared by a # of electronics.

 

grounds are more important than power! just because it looks good doesnt mean it is! ScottP described Very good ways to isolate and figure out what the problem is. also are you using the factory wires for the speakers or did you run all new ones?

 

I get the same whine. I think it's the ground for my HU because it gets worse when I dim my interior lights. Try that.

This leads me to believe its the common ground shared amongst the other devices in the car. Maybe? Anyone?

Brian

 

I think that's what I said?

 

I had the same problem in my car, drove me nuts! Never found the cause, but now it's completely gone because I installed one of these: http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...uct_id=270-054 Try it, it works wonders!

John

 

any easy solution that my help it since it isn't likely a issue of what the radio is grounded with: depending on what guage power you are using. take a piece of the same guage wire and add it on top of the already existing battery to ground. this will help out a good bit. in evening out the flow and what not.

 

John, Thanks for the idea, got it. It helps alittle. but awhile the whine just comes back. I'm gonna have to try to reground the wires.

Any good place to ground wires?