Just finished the wiring for a new amp (Pioneer GM-D8604), running the front and rear speakers on the same channel, and a new sub on the second channel.

Everything comes on just fine, but there is definitely a distinct whine and some static coming from the speakers. I'm grounding the amp to one of the driver seat bolts. I've got main power from the battery in the trunk coming up the left side of the car and to the amp, the line in (to the rcas on the amp) are on the other side of the amp, maybe about 1-2 feet of separation.

Any ideas on what may be causing the static? I believe my ground is good, and the RCA's arent run next to the main power line; Im not sure what the issue could be.

Any insight would be great! Thanks

 

There are power lines running on both sides of the car so this is very difficult to avoid even with a solid ground. I have the same thing and tried routing several different ways. None have helped at all.

 

With the system on and volume low and engine running:


Note: Using a cell phone charger and/or the cell phone on the aux in can cause whine (through the phone).


Goose the gas - does it whine?
YES -Disconnect the RCA inputs. Goose the gas - fixed it? Replace with shielded RCA cables (may fix the static too if the RCA cables are worn). Next, get RCA input filters.


NO - Try a different ground close to the amp. Next, try a power line input filter.




Fixed the whine but still have static? All speakers or just one?
Does the static get louder with volume?


Could be:
Bad speaker wires?
Bad speaker wire connection?
Bad amp.


I hope this helped...

 

well first, you are running four speakers on one channel? I would check your impedance at the amp to make sure you are not below 2ohms. Second, noise can come from a lot of sources the key is trouble shooting Like the above post describes. Third, I am assuming you are running an aftermarket head unit. In most cases of noise its going to be your rca inputs. Usually due to grounding issues at the head unit. LIke the above post recommends if you disconnect the inputs at the amp and it stops I will bet its your rca grounding. Ensure the chassis of the head unit is grounded then ground the rcas to the head unit. Fourth, do yourself a favor and get a five channel amp.

 

I guess I assumed OP meant front and rear amp outputs - if using all those speakers on one amp channel - it will smoke the amp. :O

 

How do you ground rca cables? Haven't heard of that,

 

What he means (I think) is that the headunit is not grounded and is being grounded through the RCAs at the amp. This introduces noise (acts an antenna). Research 'ground loop'.


So check headunit ground also if disconnecting the RCAs stops the noise/interference.

 

You have to ground the head unit through the harness though so that doesn't make sense to me. Still confused.

 

Like this. If you have the dangling type then run wire from the outside of the rca to your head unit. If that does not cut it out then run a wire from the cage of the head unit to a solid ground behind the head unit. So first ground the rca to the head unit then the head unit to the chassis of the car. That is why some long runs of interconnects come with a small third wire. It's a ground. Or not. Just trying to help.
Let us know what happens.