Cannot Eliminate Noise With Aftermarket System In 2010 Camaro

[LuvMySS]

Please, please help! I have a 2010 Camaro SS with automatic transmission. Since it is an SS, it came with the very mediocre “premium 9-speaker audio system” from Boston Acoustics. I have spent the last 8 months attempting to have an aftermarket audio system installed, to no avail.

I live in Savannah, GA, and unfortunately, there are only 3 car audio shops I know of in town. Back in January, I went to the most reputable shop, which has been open for over 30 years, in search of a top-notch aftermarket system to install. After much consideration, I decided upon the following:

Pioneer DEXP99RS Head Unit

JL Audio Stealthbox with 3x10” Subwoofer Box

JL Audio HD 600/4 Amp

JL Audio HD 750/1 Amp

JL Audio Evolution C5 650x 6.5” Component Speakers

JL Audio TR690-TXi 6x9” Coaxial Speakers

Metra Dash Kit

Stinger Cables

Once it had all been installed, the problems began. A constant, high-pitched hiss emanated from the tweeters, whenever the engine and the HU were turned on, even when the HU’s volume control was at 0. In addition, a constant alternator noise came from the tweeters whenever the car was in motion, and rose and fell with the RPM’s. These noises were so loud that they completely ruined the listening experience. In addition, with the installation of the Metra dash kit, I lost all AM and FM radio reception, as well as the back-up chime when the car is in reverse. After more than 12 return visits to the shop, and 6 months of patience, the problems remained unsolvable. I finally had to ask the shop for a refund, and removed all of the gear, save the Stealthbox. Discouraged, I decided to give an aftermarket system one more try.

The first shop, in addition to being unable to solve the problems, had neglected to recommend a capacitor, and had used inferior cables, I was told. I spent many hours consulting with the advisors at Crutchfield.com, and decided on the following for a second-attempt system.

Kenwood KDC-X995 CD Receiver

Boston Acoustics Pro60 SE 6 3/4” Component Speakers

Boston Acoustics SR95 6x9” Coaxial Speakers

Streetwires Zero Noise 9 2-Channel Interconnect Cables

Streetwires Zero Noise 9 4-Channel Interconnect Cables

Tsunami Hybrid Capacitor 5.0 Farad

Kicker 09PKD1 Dual Amplifier Wiring Kit

Rockford Fosgate T1500 1BDCP 1500/1 Amplifier

Rockford Fosgate Power T600-4 400/4 Amplifier

Metra Dash Kit

JL Audio Steakthbox 3x10” Subwoofer Box

As you can no doubt see, all of the equipment was different except for the Stealthbox and the Metra Dash Kit (which is the only one available for my car). Once I received my order from Crutchfield, I went to another shop in town, one that specializes in custom audio/video, interiors, body kits, etc. They installed everything carefully and expertly.

I now have all of the same exact problems! My installer has tried everything, including ground loop isolators, double-grounding everything, and turning down the gain on the front-channel amp. Nothing has worked to eliminate the noise issues, which persist to this day. It has been three weeks since the second installation, and I have returned to the shop 4 times.

I am beginning to wonder if it is simply impossible to successfully install an aftermarket system in my car! My installer says he is completely out of ideas, as is Crutchfield, and I am about to simply give up, and return everything for a refund. Of course, I will forfeit the almost $1,000 I spent on installation, as well as have to spend more to have the stuff removed.

Does anyone have any suggestions, know of anyone who has successfully resolved these issues, or know of anyone who has been able to do an install on a 2010 Camaro without these problems happening? Any help or advice would be really appreciated at this point. I am a grown man, and am almost on the verge of tears after having no music in my car for almost 8 months, and after spending over $5,000 on each system I have tried to have installed.

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[skitzafit 10+ year member]

Noise Prevention

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

I had an issue with this at one time or more...Power wire too close to the rca/ 2 amps grounded at the same location..top one was not grounded good enough.. Head unit was not grounded properly.. about all major issues ive had in the past 20yrs.

 

[GavinVoy 10+ year member]

Noise Prevention

idk about all that, i had alt whine and i grounded all my amps in one spot and it went away. even took off my ground loop cause i didnt need it anymore. but that is just me.

 

[maylar 10+ year member]

Sounds very frustrating, dude. I doubt anyone here can tell you anything that a pro installer wouldn't have tried. I wish we could help.

Is the factory system installed now?

 

[gunz4me2 10+ year member]

I once used a capacitor to get rid of the noise produced by my 1996 Thunderbird's craptastic alternator. Of course, the issue at hand with my alternator was the fact that it produced excessive AC voltage measured at the battery while the car was running. I don't remember the exact number, but was well over 2 volts and I was told that it wasn't normal. I even replaced the POS Ford HO alternator only to get brand new one that produced over 2 volts of AC voltage when the car was running. Go figure...

 

[wone 10+ year member]

a cap? how?

 

[Spike243 10+ year member]

Have you tried grounding the Head Unit directly to the battery? This fixed all of the problems that i was having with my car. Ex. Alt whine and turn on/off thumping

 

[gunz4me2 10+ year member]

a cap? how?

Think about it... My noise was caused due to AC ripple in the main power cable. Placing a cap inline before the amplifiers stopped the AC from making it to the amplifiers, hence no more noise. At the time, 1997 to 1999, I was using old school amplifiers that had jack squat for filtering and noise rejection.

In the OP's case, I'd suggest that he check to see if it is source related, as in being passed through the RCAs or power wire induced. Simply disconnect the RCAs and protect them from grounding out against anything, start the car, and see if the noise went away. If so, the noise is at the source and being amplified. Of course, it could be a little case of both source noise and power line noise which will be a royal pain to fix.

 

[gmctrucks 10+ year member]

I had that same problem it turned out to be the rca jacks coming off the amp were messed up I replaced amp and it came out good. Now I have read that you can't run some wires power or line be side each other mine are ran on one side of my ride then on the other side. I hope you get it going good I wish you luck.

 

[martiandancer31 10+ year member]

it sounds like the issue is with the amplifier being used to power the component speakers. If you disconnect the RCA cables from this amplifier and turn it on, is the hiss still there? If so, where is that amplifier grounded?

 

[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

i don't see the GMOS adapter listed in your post. did they install a Class II Data Bus adapter?

 

[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

FWIW I like the original system you had more. the 99REX is a SWEEEEET piece.