Static when headlights are on

[Larry Mitchell]

Recently got a 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe as an errand-mobile. It has a JVC KD-R640 single-DIN radio installed by a previous owner (unknown).

The wiring was either done by the owner or a quick-&-dirty shop with crimp-on connectors. FM sound is good-for-what-it-is driving around town . That is, until I turn on the running lights / headlights. Noticeable static with the running lights (20%?), overwhelming with the headlights (80%).

I've remounted the radio. It was loose in the brackets (& crooked, L to R). It's now snug. Pulled the antenna connector, ensured both ground & signal make good contact, treated it with DeOxit contact enhancer. Actually improved the reception at rest but still static with vehicle lights on.

LED conversion on both running lights & headlights but IIRC, was still noisy with incandescent / Halogen.

I'm an old IT guy (where I learned about deoxit) but what I know about car audio fits in a thimble. Do I need a filter? Rip out & redo the 16ga wiring done with a head-unit specific kit? Which appears to be done via matching colors on harness to factory wiring. TIA!

Click to read more...

 

[ThxOne Premium Member]

Undo the yellow and black wire from the back of the radio and run them directly to the cars battery and secure them. Start the car. If it is still doing it the radio may be at fault or there could be a factory amp. However, if it fixes the issue then it is the wiring. I would purchase a new wire harness for that vehicle, either Metra or Scosche and fully rewire. There could also be a factory amplifier causing interference. If so, look for a harness that bypasses any factory amplifier.

 

[Jimi77 Premium Member]

Try grounding the radio chassis. I'd check the engine bay grounds and battery terminals for corrosion.

 

[Larry Mitchell]

Undo the yellow and black wire from the back of the radio and run them directly to the cars battery and secure them. Start the car. If it is still doing it the radio may be at fault or there could be a factory amp. However, if it fixes the issue then it is the wiring. I would purchase a new wire harness for that vehicle, either Metra or Scosche and fully rewire. There could also be a factory amplifier causing interference. If so, look for a harness that bypasses any factory amplifier.

"Yellow and black wire from ... the radio and run _them_..." Is this a single yellow & black wire or a yellow wire & a black wire? Didn't get into the dash today to look.

There is a factory amp under the PAX seat. Speakers (factory I believe) are still wired thru it. Reworking the wiring harness had occurred to me; your suggestion reinforces doing so. I'll research wiring harness from both Metra & Scosche.

TYVM.

 

[ThxOne Premium Member]

"Yellow and black wire from ... the radio and run _them_..." Is this a single yellow & black wire or a yellow wire & a black wire? Didn't get into the dash today to look.

There is a factory amp under the PAX seat. Speakers (factory I believe) are still wired thru it. Reworking the wiring harness had occurred to me; your suggestion reinforces doing so. I'll research wiring harness from both Metra & Scosche.

TYVM.

The solid yellow on the head unit is constant 12v, Run that directly to the battery positive. The sold black to the battery negative. This bypasses the cars wiring.

 

[ThxOne Premium Member]

I Had a Jeep Grand Cherokee that I wired the speaker outs from my head unit to the speaker wires coming out of the factory amp. Which bypassed the amp. Worked well. I just pulled the harness out of the amp and used the speakers wires I needed.

 

[Larry Mitchell]

Try grounding the radio chassis. I'd check the engine bay grounds and battery terminals for corrosion.

Sound advice to ground the chassis. I think the metal mounting brackets fitting the radio into the dash have big plastic pieces between them & the chassis. The battery terminals are good; I removed the clamps, cleaned the terminals & clamp inner surfaces, applied Deoxit & securely tightened everything.

Engine bay grounds are another matter on a 19 yr old vehicle. I've power washed the engine bay from the top & bottom (alternator covered) but need to I&R ground straps. Battery shows 13.5V with the engine running, 12.4 engine off & is a pretty new AC Delco Gold. But grounding is an area where most car makers cheap out.

 

[Larry Mitchell]

The solid yellow on the head unit is constant 12v, Run that directly to the battery positive. The sold black to the battery negative. This bypasses the cars wiring.

Wilco & thanks.

 

[ThxOne Premium Member]

Sound advice to ground the chassis. I think the metal mounting brackets fitting the radio into the dash have big plastic pieces between them & the chassis. The battery terminals are good; I removed the clamps, cleaned the terminals & clamp inner surfaces, applied Deoxit & securely tightened everything.

Engine bay grounds are another matter on a 19 yr old vehicle. I've power washed the engine bay from the top & bottom (alternator covered) but need to I&R ground straps. Battery shows 13.5V with the engine running, 12.4 engine off & is a pretty new AC Delco Gold. But grounding is an area where most car makers cheap out.

Very true. Going to the battery rules out grounds and shorts or confirms them. Sound advice... a big 3, even if you never install an aftermarket radio.

 

[Larry Mitchell]

I Had a Jeep Grand Cherokee that I wired the speaker outs from my head unit to the speaker wires coming out of the factory amp. Which bypassed the amp. Worked well. I just pulled the harness out of the amp and used the speakers wires I needed.

EZ to do with the amp under the pax seat. I'll try running temp wiring directly from the radio speaker outs to the wires at the amp outputs.

 

[ThxOne Premium Member]

EZ to do with the amp under the pax seat. I'll try running temp wiring directly from the radio speaker outs to the wires at the amp outputs.

Lowes and Home Depot have wire similar to 9 wire in the wiring section.

 

[ThxOne Premium Member]

Ahhh here it is... and you can get it by the foot. They have 18/8 as well.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vrbgify-18-10-Solid-Sprinkler-Wire-50-ft-18-Gauge-10-Conductor-PVC-Jacket-Stranded-Copper-Irrigation-Cable-BSA0427D220/337464357