Engine whine issue.

RussellJ

CarAudio.com Newbie
9
1
Dubai
Hello! I know a lot of this is talked about already in the forums. But I'm stuck.

I have a 4 channel amplifier. I get engine whine and static when both RCA cables (one for the front 2 speakers and one for the rear 2 speakers) are plugged into the amp.

The engine whine and static disappear when I remove one of the cables. i.e. when just the front 2 speakers are active or the just the rear 2 speakers are active.

Is this a grounding issue?

Advice appreciated!
 

1aespinoza

Junior Member
2,354
757
Pharr, Texas
No it is a Sony XAV-AX1000
Reason I asked is I have a Pioneer radio with these exact symptoms. Apparently very common in this brand (pico fuse). To bypass the issue, I ended up using only one set of RCAs for the whole system. You could do the same or try what Coolhand20th suggested. Another technique you could try is touching a wire from the amp's ground to the outside contacts of the RCAs.
Screenshot_20220617-075930~2.png
 

dragon.breath

Senior VIP Member
10+ year member
1,034
326
Al
You probably need to read this.
 
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RussellJ

RussellJ

CarAudio.com Newbie
9
1
Dubai
Thanks, guys. I'll give these methods a try and I'll post what has worked. Thanks for the article @drogon.breath. Hopefully, this can eliminate the issue!
 
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RussellJ

RussellJ

CarAudio.com Newbie
9
1
Dubai
Update:
I've tested another pair of RCA cables and led them over the car. These are the ones that came with the power wiring kits. The whine and buzz are eliminated but can be subtly heard if I move them towards the power cable running through the centre console.

I will look into getting some heavily shielded RCA cables and see if this fixes the issue permanently.
 

Jimi77

CarAudio.com VIP
3,470
906
Denver, CO
Update:
I've tested another pair of RCA cables and led them over the car. These are the ones that came with the power wiring kits. The whine and buzz are eliminated but can be subtly heard if I move them towards the power cable running through the centre console.

I will look into getting some heavily shielded RCA cables and see if this fixes the issue permanently.

Rather getting "heavily shielded" RCA's, I'd suggest rerouting them away from the power cable. You may want to consider rerouting the power cable too.
 

winkychevelle

CarAudio.com Veteran
10+ year member
4,550
479
Ponchatoula, La
Reason I asked is I have a Pioneer radio with these exact symptoms. Apparently very common in this brand (pico fuse). To bypass the issue, I ended up using only one set of RCAs for the whole system. You could do the same or try what Coolhand20th suggested. Another technique you could try is touching a wire from the amp's ground to the outside contacts of the RCAs.

You shouldn't have a pico fuse issue with the newer pioneers. The old ones yea, if you yanked the rcas out with the radio turn on it could pop the pico fuse
 

1aespinoza

Junior Member
2,354
757
Pharr, Texas
You shouldn't have a pico fuse issue with the newer pioneers. The old ones yea, if you yanked the rcas out with the radio turn on it could pop the pico fuse
That is exactly what happened. I was testing a new amp and lacked the will to un-pretzel myself and turn off the key. WhineUnlimited.com after that. Even went as far as wrapping my RCA wires in ferrite cores.
 
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RussellJ

RussellJ

CarAudio.com Newbie
9
1
Dubai
Rather getting "heavily shielded" RCA's, I'd suggest rerouting them away from the power cable. You may want to consider rerouting the power cable too.

Yea, I will definitely rethink the cable arrangement. Originally, I had the RCAs running along the sides of the car, and the power through the centre console. There was still a whine. I did notice there is another thick black cable that runs along the sides as well, these could be factory power wires for other components - this could be the culprit. I might try and wire the power along the side, and then RCA through the centre.

Will update my findings.
 

AnthonyO

Budget Banger Connoisseur
10+ year member
 
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RussellJ

RussellJ

CarAudio.com Newbie
9
1
Dubai
Update:

So, after rerouting the cables (power cable down one side and RCAs down the center console) I have successfully eliminated engine whine.

In the 2015 Toyota GT86 (Scion FRS in the US), there are in fact supplemental factory power cables running down the sides of the car, which were probably contributing to the whine.

I purchased the following shielded cable to help with any other interference.

Thanks for all of your expertise and wish you all the best in your car audio adventures! It's been a truly helpful forum.
 
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