Engine whine and ground loop fixes... take two

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

Alrighty guys, since we no longer have access to the other ground loop fix thread, thanks to someone (you know who you are), I'm making a new thread about it.

Ground loops and engine whine cause common problems such as a high-pitched whine that varies with engine RPM's, various thumps while changing tracks, turn on/off thumps, etc.

There are various protective measures to take in order to decrease the likelihood of experiencing engine whine and ground loops.

• Shielded RCA's
  A good pair of shielded RCA's may be the easiest way to avoid engine noise. Don't use patch cables or other el-cheap-o RCA's that are unshielded. I'm not saying you need to invest a small fortune in RCA cables, just make sure they are shielded.
  
• Proper head unit ground
  This is perhaps the most common source of engine noise. Many times factory head unit grounds are poor. Relocating the ground wire or adding to the existing one will help reduce or eliminate ground loops.
  
• Proper amplifier ground
  If none of the above have worked, check the ground for the amplifier. Make sure it is grounded to the frame, battery, or other substantial metal surface. Make sure the metal is good 'ol fashioned detroit iron. Many cars use metallic alloys or composites that aren't very conductive. Avoid those at all costs.
  
• Wire routing
  Some claim this next fix is BS, and others swear by their grave that it works. But run your RCA's and power wires at least 18" apart. I route my RCA's on one side of the car, and power on the other. Couldn't hurt.
  
• Grounding the RCA's on the head unit
  Many have had problems with Pioneer head units because of a poor internal RCA ground. To remedy this, simply wrap wire around the RCA's and screw the wire down to the head unit's chassis like so:
   
  
  
  
  Thanks to Ultimate157 for the image.
  To view his thread on this subject, click here.
  

Please note: While ground loop isolators are tempting to use as a quick fix, I generally don't advise people to use them because they simply cover up the problem instead of solving it. Only use ground loop isolators as a final resort is none of the above fixes work.

Enjoy //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

Click to read more...

 

[OoMesKoO 10+ year member]

I just did that to my Pioneer AVH-P6400CD. Worked like a charm! Thanks maaan!

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

bump

 

[baseballer1100 5,000+ posts]

Cbfryman was talking about one with the internal of the amp? Im confused do you know what he was talking about?

 

[dleccord 5,000+ posts]

very informative on the rca grounding to the head unit.

 

[smd4life 5,000+ posts]

i've actually seen the power wire on the other side of the car thing happen in person... but it doesn't make sense because the same power is running through the whole car...

 

[smd4life 5,000+ posts]

Cbfryman was talking about one with the internal of the amp? Im confused do you know what he was talking about?

in some h\u's there is a fuse on the rca ground, conecting the rca ground to the chassis ground...sometimes this fuse blows...

 

[baseballer1100 5,000+ posts]

in some h\u's there is a fuse on the rca ground, conecting the rca ground to the chassis ground...sometimes this fuse blows...

I think its the actual amp thogh.

 

[AJ²06 5,000+ posts]

Sweet... I got all the others done except the Grounding the RCA's on the head unit and I also got a Pioneer... so we'll see... It SHOULD work

 

[wilzyx 5,000+ posts]

Cbfryman was talking about one with the internal of the amp? Im confused do you know what he was talking about?

was he talking about the pioneer 880 head unit? is has some small micro fuse that pops easily and needs to be fixed by a pioneer repair technician

 

[AJ²06 5,000+ posts]

was he talking about the pioneer 880 head unit? is has some small micro fuse that pops easily and needs to be fixed by a pioneer repair technician

IS it only the 880?

 

[baseballer1100 5,000+ posts]

Sapposeably if you ground the RCA's it will go away. I havent tried it but I'm going to give USampsa call and then brake out the soldering iron tomarrow.
edit:

if that does work then USamps sucks at life. if it doesnt work then USamps sucks at life. The only way they can really redeem themselves now is fixing it free of charge, even though it is out of warranty.

at the amp. Best way is to open her up, solder a wire to the shield side (outside) of the RCA and solder that to the ground input.

I dont know really this is what he said.

 

[coolahan 10+ year member]

nioce

 

[Supergumby5000 5,000+ posts]

this sticky worthy? i plan on gettin a pioneer deck in the next few weeks so im gonna need this hehe.

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

this sticky worthy? i plan on gettin a pioneer deck in the next few weeks so im gonna need this hehe.

If they don't make a sticky out of it just subscribe to it so you'll be able to find it easily later //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif