Hi guys
Complete novice here! I managed to install a new radio in my car. It works fine, but there is bad static only when the engine is running though! When the ignition is turned on the radio is fine and very clear, but as soon as the engine is on it is all squelchy. Any ideas what might be causing this?
Thanks! THINK
Replies (4)
UKinstaller on 06/21/2004 12:30:08
bad ground buddy. check your ground wire, it's the black one coming out of your cd player. did you connect it to a factory ground wire or did you attach it to some metal?? try both ways, just make sure you get a real good ground.
-UK
compvr15s on 06/21/2004 16:24:33
also make sure your power cable runnin to your amp is not in in paralell with your rcs( if you are even using amps didnt read all of your post and i dont feel like deleting all of this lol) but yes as UK mentioned use a better ground than factory for your head unit.
piloteer81 on 06/21/2004 17:48:59
Hi guys, thanks for the info. As far as I'm aware the earth is as standard. The car has an electronic aerial and this has an earth coming out of it and goes back into the car somewhere, hopefully to some metal.
I may try puting an extra ground wire from the black wire from the player to a decent earthing point, see if that does anything. I heard elsewhere it could be interference from the transmission which does sound possible considering I only get the static when the engine is running. Some kind of supression device is mentioned in the manual. Might take a look!
swez on 06/21/2004 18:45:11
Pilot,
You have come to the right place for car audio help. The problem you mentioned, has been a topic that comes in several times a month. UK knows what he is talking about and gave you what is usually 95%, the first line of defense to get noise out of a system.
Harness grounds are fine for OEM (Factory) radios. But when adding an aftermarket HU as an upgrade, one needs to ground it properly. To a bare metal ground in the vehicle body. (Ie: floor pan or firewall) Yes, the antenna mount will give a degree of "reference ground" effect. But it is not a true "earth" ground reference point. Same thing with RCA grounds... they are a ground of sorts... but not a true earth ground.
This problem is often called a ground loop. There is a long and technical explaination about them and how to eliminate them. Have a read on this link:
1. http://www.bcae1.com/ground.htm
2. http://www.bcae1.com/glisoltr.htm
Finally, you mentioned "Earth Grounds". In car audio, there is no such thing. A true "Earth Ground" is when an 8 foot long rod is driven into the ground and connected to the outside power meter of the house. The closest thing to an true "Earth Ground" reference point is just this and your cold water pipe, coming into the meter in your home.
In car audio, we say "Reference Ground" for power connections that terminate at the Neg battery post or "Audio Reference Ground" which is usually the HU and internal wiring. Any minor deviations off that Reference grounding point will usually cause noise.
I hope that all helps,
Swez
Complete novice here! I managed to install a new radio in my car. It works fine, but there is bad static only when the engine is running though! When the ignition is turned on the radio is fine and very clear, but as soon as the engine is on it is all squelchy. Any ideas what might be causing this?
Thanks! THINK
Replies (4)
UKinstaller on 06/21/2004 12:30:08
bad ground buddy. check your ground wire, it's the black one coming out of your cd player. did you connect it to a factory ground wire or did you attach it to some metal?? try both ways, just make sure you get a real good ground.
-UK
compvr15s on 06/21/2004 16:24:33
also make sure your power cable runnin to your amp is not in in paralell with your rcs( if you are even using amps didnt read all of your post and i dont feel like deleting all of this lol) but yes as UK mentioned use a better ground than factory for your head unit.
piloteer81 on 06/21/2004 17:48:59
Hi guys, thanks for the info. As far as I'm aware the earth is as standard. The car has an electronic aerial and this has an earth coming out of it and goes back into the car somewhere, hopefully to some metal.
I may try puting an extra ground wire from the black wire from the player to a decent earthing point, see if that does anything. I heard elsewhere it could be interference from the transmission which does sound possible considering I only get the static when the engine is running. Some kind of supression device is mentioned in the manual. Might take a look!
swez on 06/21/2004 18:45:11
Pilot,
You have come to the right place for car audio help. The problem you mentioned, has been a topic that comes in several times a month. UK knows what he is talking about and gave you what is usually 95%, the first line of defense to get noise out of a system.
Harness grounds are fine for OEM (Factory) radios. But when adding an aftermarket HU as an upgrade, one needs to ground it properly. To a bare metal ground in the vehicle body. (Ie: floor pan or firewall) Yes, the antenna mount will give a degree of "reference ground" effect. But it is not a true "earth" ground reference point. Same thing with RCA grounds... they are a ground of sorts... but not a true earth ground.
This problem is often called a ground loop. There is a long and technical explaination about them and how to eliminate them. Have a read on this link:
1. http://www.bcae1.com/ground.htm
2. http://www.bcae1.com/glisoltr.htm
Finally, you mentioned "Earth Grounds". In car audio, there is no such thing. A true "Earth Ground" is when an 8 foot long rod is driven into the ground and connected to the outside power meter of the house. The closest thing to an true "Earth Ground" reference point is just this and your cold water pipe, coming into the meter in your home.
In car audio, we say "Reference Ground" for power connections that terminate at the Neg battery post or "Audio Reference Ground" which is usually the HU and internal wiring. Any minor deviations off that Reference grounding point will usually cause noise.
I hope that all helps,
Swez
Copyright ClubKnowledge 2009 * All Rights Reserved
