'88 T/A
I have a feedback/whining issue on my newly installed system (New Kenwood HU, 4 channel amp, and Alpine 6x9's). The whining doesn't rise and fall with the engine and isn't there at all when the car is on, but not all the way on. I can turn up the HU and it will eventually drown out the sound, but at low volumes, it is still quite audible.

I am only pushing the 6x9's on the 4 channel amp. The wires are all the same size, everything is brand new, and all is connected and shrink wrapped. I did a SEARCH and came up with some ideas and some useful info. I think the problem may be either my RCA's or my ground.

Here is what I've done so far:
Moved the ground 3 times. 2 different bolts near the hatch pull down, and one where the T Tops anchor to against the back wall. Same problem with all positions.

I have plugged in one side of the RCA and got noise on that speaker. Unplugged it, then plugged in the other side with the same noise. Tried the second set of preouts in my HU, same result.

Could you guys provide some input on where to ground or if my RCA's are the problem?

 

Are you trying to ground the amp or the deck?

For the amp I ran the ground right under th paneling to one of those clips the bolt on. The ones that a t-top bag would clip to. I can upload a pic if you don't know what i mean. EDIT: I saw you already tried this. Try bolting the ground between the hook and the body. Worked for me, if you didn't already try it.

For the deck, theres like an expose bolt in the console opening. I just bolted the ground to that bolt. again, I can upload pics if needed.

 

I'm trying to ground the amp. THe HU seems to be okay.

No need for pictures, I understood what you meant. I grounded to the T Top bracket thing like you mentioned, no such luck. I'll try to ground to the one under the carpeting on the deck tomorrow for S&G's.

I'm really beginning to think it is the RCA cables, but I am still unsure if I just suck at grounding this time around.

 

i had a similar problem with my 4 channel pioneer amp, turns out i needed to bridge the 4 channels down to 2 and adjust the gain, after that it works perfect

 

The HU ground is just as important as the amps ground. If the amp is properly grounded and the HU's ground is noisy then it's going to send the noise out the RCAs for the amp to amplify.
Id the HU ground in the harness? If so move that to a solid chassis ground.

 

I've never bridged before, could you explain the process a little for me?


I'll cut into the ground for the radio and see if the stock location wasn't good enough.

Thanks for all the advice so far!!

 

I would also try a different set of RCA's...

Make sure the deck is also grounded good...

Raf

 

Well, I reground the cd player to a better place, moved the RCA's further from the Power wire (More than opposite sides now), and ground the amp in a trial and error placing. All was well up until about 4 hours afterwards.

I still have the static cable sound!! I'm definitely placing the blame on my ground now, but I still can't get a good place. I've tried grounding to the electric pull down, a spot on the chassis near it, and on the t top hook area. All result in a no go.

Can I ground to those nice screws that hold the bumper in place? I know there is a rubber gromet in there, but I'm unsure.

 

Try a ground loop isolator... Radio Shack carries them...

Raf

 

Ack, all that work moving the RCA's far opposite from the power foiled where I ran them near each other for less than a foot into the pass rear interior body panel!

All I had to do was seperate them on either side of the inflata-spare and BAM- no more aggrevating sounds.

I appreciate everyone who helped me out with sorting out my problem, you guys rock!