ARGH. Can't get rid of the whine....

crimanyFJsakes · 11-13-2006, 05:45 PM

So, a month or so ago, I started down the road of installing all my new stereo Components, and rewiring the entire FJ. Oh boy, was that fun! <sarcasm>.

Anyhow, we got it down, got everything hooked up, and now, I'm getting the whine from the engine (i assume it's the alternator).

So, diligently, I took things apart, made sure the power lead was completely seperate from the Cross-Connects. And yes, the whine quieted down, ever so slightly. So I added a 10mhz power filter. And that didn't help at all.

Which means, you can still hear it. And it's noticable and irritating. And I can't figure out how to get rid of it! Does anyone have any suggestions? Here's what I got and how i wired it. All cables are monster cables.

HU: JVC KDHDR-1, connected to factory wiring (with Crutchfield adapter).
SOUND STREAM PIC4.640 Picasso 4-Channel 640W (under passenger seat).
MB QUART 2Way 6.5" Component Speakers for the front.
Polk Audio 4-inch Speakers for the Rear

8 gauge power cable running from battery, into driving area, over to console (where the HU is), down along middle console (between the front seats) and outside under passenger seat.

The HU and the AMP is connected by two crossconnects (both monster) that run from the back of the HU (obviously) down to the floor, under the floor on the passenger side, into amp. the power and xconnects proximity are never less then 4" apart, and that's only near the HU (ie: the power cable goes by the HU about 4" away).

The rear speakers have *NOT* been installed yet.

The only thing I've been able to ascertain so far, is that when I unplug the 2nd crossconnect, the whine goes away -- and it's not the cable itself as through elimination, i ruled that out.

What what what can I do?

Would not having the rear speakers hooked up cause some kinda of feedback/loop? I can't see how, but then I'm not a stereo / electronics expert.

Any help? I can and will provide any further information asked for. It's so ... ARGH

--jim

MoSun · 11-13-2006, 05:50 PM

Try this link. Alternator Whine in Car Audio

FJCameron · 11-13-2006, 05:52 PM

Here is one guess. Is it grounding? Make sure the frame of your vehicle is grounded. I would add $10 in parts and do a few more grounds. See these examples. (for a CB Radio)

13Volts · 11-13-2006, 05:54 PM

My approach would be.. connecting up the rear speakers to test your theory then googling "Ground Loops" which is a condition where your equipment is all grounded but the resistance to ground varies greatly. Basicly the cure for "Ground Loops" is to ground everything back to a common point so that the resistance to ground is equal on everything.

hope it helps

crimanyFJsakes · 11-13-2006, 06:00 PM

Thanks for the link, i never actually knew that's what caused it (grounding). So, FJCameron, you are essentially grounding parts of the car that are not grounded (hood, bumper, rear door i'm guessing?) I may be off there; but from the pix that's what i got. i can (and will) do that.

from the article, the first thing i'm gonna look at is how i grounded the AMP. i just screwed it into a factory bolt which i figured was grounded properly, but maybe not.

but, and i dunno if anyone can really answer this, why would i only get the feedback if i hook up the SECOND xconnect, but if that's left unplugged the whine goes away? it's quite perplexing.

Savvyav · 11-13-2006, 06:00 PM

Yup, ground loop. Make sure your ground is equal to your power (in size.) to include ground to amps equal to power gauge. Some amps do have a ground lift switch, or filter. Check your antenna too...it's also a ground, prone to add a buzz...

FJCameron · 11-13-2006, 06:01 PM

I prefer having a uniform grounding so having multiple points all grounded to each other works well for that.

However, some people just run grounds all to one ground point. That's fine too, but I would go the extra step and ground the truck / SUV hood / body together to be extra sure. Will pay off if you ever install a CB.

chris410 · 11-13-2006, 06:17 PM

Good stuff, I have a slight whine as well but I only hear it if the radio is off so it's not really a big deal. However, I'll check out the grounds to make sure this isn't the issue...if I can improve it I'd be a lot happier!

13Volts · 11-13-2006, 06:20 PM

FJcameron,

I can really relate with excessive people like you, grounding your hood so that you can pass hundrends of amps to the rest of the frame is something I love to see. This sounds like a slam but.. FJcameron and the people that provide people with solid cell phone and internet connections all agree that bonding your equipment to "ground" is an essential first step in creating a reliable electronic eviornment. Should your' first project be to ground your hood to the rest of your FJ body with heavy wire?... NO but do take bonding/grounding seriously if you want to make any electrical/com system reliable.

FJCameron · 11-13-2006, 06:24 PM

Quote:

13Volts previously said:

FJcameron,

I can really relate with excessive people like you, grounding your hood so that you can pass hundrends of amps to the rest of the frame is something I love to see. This sounds like a slam but.. FJcameron and the people that provide people with solid cell phone and internet connections all agree that bonding your equipment to "ground" is an essential first step in creating a reliable electronic eviornment. Should your' first project be to ground your hood to the rest of your FJ body with heavy wire?... NO but do take bonding/grounding seriously if you want to make any electrical/com system reliable.

That is pictures from a Toyota truck (not mine) who did it for his CB Radio install. I found them recently and thought they showed one way to do it.

I am an electrical engineer by education, so I like to over engineer my solutions myself. (within reason)