Crackling sound car stereo

[docb]

I have a pioneer car stereo that just started making crackling noises when volume is up moderately and increases with bass noise.
I checked all the wiring and it’s all fine. Considering it’s ALL the speakers, I’m leaning towards the unit itself. The weird part is if I turn the fader all the way to the front, the crackling goes away. As I turn fader back towards neutral, the noise increases in frequency and intensity.
Nothing else seems to be wrong with the deck itself. Any feedback would be appreciated thanks.

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[RobGMN Premium Member]

I have a pioneer car stereo that just started making crackling noises when volume is up moderately and increases with bass noise.
I checked all the wiring and it’s all fine. Considering it’s ALL the speakers, I’m leaning towards the unit itself. The weird part is if I turn the fader all the way to the front, the crackling goes away. As I turn fader back towards neutral, the noise increases in frequency and intensity.
Nothing else seems to be wrong with the deck itself. Any feedback would be appreciated thanks.

The facts it's all speakers does suggest the head. What model is it? Does it have discrete amplification, or shared (thinking about why it goes away when you fade to just the fronts)?

Have you tried it without the rears connected, and the fader centered?

 

[dragon.breath 10+ year member]

It could be a rear speaker causing the problem. A bad spot in a voice coil basically shorting the speaker output to ground.

 

[docb]

It could be a rear speaker causing the problem. A bad spot in a voice coil basically shorting the speaker output to ground.

Both rear speakers are brand new so have not checked that out.

 

[docb]

Both rear speakers are brand new so have not checked that out.

 

[docb]

I should also note that the old left rear speaker was cutting in and out and then when I replaced the new speakers the left one now does not work at all but the right one seems fine and then after a few days the crackling sound started in all 3 other working speakers.

 

[dragon.breath 10+ year member]

Sounds like the speaker wire for the left rear is broken and shorting out.

 

[docb]

Sounds like the speaker wire for the left rear is broken and shorting out.

Would that cause all the symptoms that I’m experiencing?

 

[docb]

Would that cause all the symptoms that I’m experiencing?

 

[dragon.breath 10+ year member]

Yes.

 

[docb]

Sure enough- I checked the loom in the door jamb and both speaker wires were barely connected and the ground was totally disconnected. I rewired all three and that solved the problem! Thanks dragon breath!

 

[Jimi77 Premium Member]

Sure enough- I checked the loom in the door jamb and both speaker wires were barely connected and the ground was totally disconnected. I rewired all three and that solved the problem! Thanks dragon breath!

Good to hear.