Okay, I kept the stock HU and had my 4 door speakers replaced with JL Audio 6.5s powered by 2 Pioneer amps (both 60x2 RMS)

I am getting the infamous engine/alternator whine - when I accelerate, it gets louder. The installer thinks it could be either one or 2 problems:

1) He didn't have any GROUND LOOP ISOLATORS in stock so that left open some whining noise - will putting one of these in help?

2) THE LOCs I had were only rated at 20 watts per channel - will a PAC 60-watt/4channel do a much better job at stopping the pops?

PLEASE HELP OR COMMENT - THANKS!

DC

 

Need some more info. Which wires were used for the signal? Was the EQ bypassed? Did you do the install or a shop like best buy or CC? If someone else did it, do you trust that they are knowledgable with the TL audio system.

Once we know PRECISELY which wires were used then we can start troubleshooting for you.

Run a search on "engine noise" and "Iggy" in the audio forum, tons of info.

Iggy

 

I took it to a custom shop that did my Honda Accord - they've always done great work, but I think the Acura TL was indeed a challenge for them. The guy had only done one a couple of years ago. As far as I can tell the EQ was bypassed - the amps power the door speakers and the stock HU still powers the sub. I am really pleased with the sound quality overall, it's just that engine whine and pop I get when I turn on the radio that annoys me.

I'm afraid I don't know what wires were used where. I realize without that specific info, it's tough to troubleshoot exactly.

But would a new LOC and ground loop isolator generally help with these symptoms?

DC

 

DC,

It's possible that new LOC's or a GLI may work but that seems like a bandaid. I know for a fact that, if properly done, feeding the signal from the stock HU into an aftermarket amp will produce no bumps, thumps, whines.

One thing that comes to mind is how the RCA's were routed. it may be that they are too close to some wires that are bleeding into the system. I kind of doubt that is the case but you never know.

Take a look at this link and ask your installer if this is what he did.
Keep in mind, my setup is'nt the only way of doing things, but it keeps everything as close to the stock setup as possible when it comes to fade/balance control.

Link

Iggy

 

I'm somewhat pissed now - I forked out $435 for this install and I tried the ground loop isolator route - but as Iggy said that was just a bandaid. What the isolators did was drowned out the vocals!

I should have taken my car to this place up in Denton where this guy originally quoted me $425 but knew what he was doing. Instead I took it to someone that never worked on an Acura before (although at first he'd said he'd done it) and ended up paying out the ass (although this place had done excellent work on my Accord before). I was naive to think they could do the same quality on my TL.

 

dsclaus,

i installed an amp this past weekend in my 2000 TL using IGGy's bypass method, and all went well. No noise problem at all. There is a very very slight hiss when i turn the volume down to 0, but that might be because i have to gain set a little too high on the amp.

I would print out IGGY's wiring diagram and take it back to the installer and make sure that's what he did. He might not have bypassed the COMMON outputs, just the left/right.

Also, how did he run the wires. Make sure he ran the power and turn on wires down one side of the car, and the speaker and preamp level signals down the other side of the car.

He might have already doen this, but Its worth a try in finding out exactly what is goin on here..