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Unwanted noise in radio

T

toddyman88

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Ok,
been reading thru the search all day and have tried everything sugested to get this problem gone.
I have a "whine" that gets faster or slower with engine speed. I have another new (2nd as I thought first one was at fault) Alpine head unit. Only makes this noise when radio is in AM or FM mode....no noise when playing a cd. Installed a new fender mount antenna thinking old in the windsheild antenna was at fault. I have tried numerous power supply locations including straight to the battery and have tried a power supply noise filter. I have changed both radio grounds around as well with no sucess. I have installed a ground loop isolator in the antenna line and that did nothing. Neg. side of battery is grounded to alt. bracket and ground strap is in contact with the rear of engine and firewall. I can not listen to the radio with this and need help.
Thanks
Gordon
 
When is the last time you replaced your alternator? This usually seems to be the problem in my experience. Also make sure yours grounds are good, I know you said you checked, but just because they are tight doesn't mean your good. Make sure you have bare metal. Are your battery studs corroded?


Are you running an amp?
 
Funny you should ask about the alternator. It just went out last week. I put on a new 105 amp Delco from Full service. Even when I unplug the alt the sound remains. Yes, I recently started running an amp on my 10's but this issue has been here from the start with just the head unit and door speakers. Dont remember the factory radio doing it though. I will re check the grounding points bare metal today. Battery terminals are clean.
Thanks
 
I wire wheeled the ground points and reconnected them. As clean as they can be to bare metal, noise still there.
Wonder if a visit to the local stereo shop may be in order?
 
rf noise is hard to pinpoint, it can come from anything electrical like the coil, plug wires, alternator. since it doesnt do it in cd mode i dont think its power related.
 
Take a good look at the blue wire coming out from your stereo. Make sure it is well insulated and not next to your RCAs or speaker wires. That IIRC is the power ant lead, and it can do strange things.

Noise filters are worthless. They can only hide so much.

You said you ran power from the battery. Have you tried running the ground the same way?

The noise is usually a bleed, from another circuit. Sometimes running the power wire next to a speaker wire or RCA cable can make the noise, but sometimes it is coming from a seperate circuit. A bad ground on another curcuit can cause a ground feedback problem that can contribute to the noise.

Like said above, it is usually the alt or the regulator for the alt. Lighty smack it with a hammer while someone listens to the noise and see if it changes.

Just to clarify......There is absolutely no noise with the engine off and the key in the run position???? None at all?? With the motor at normal operating temps?? I just ask this because I have seen everything from a neon light, to a powered air freshener, to a cell phone charger, to electric fan temp switch, cause your problem.

The neon light one took days to figure out. Damn transformer under the car.
 
Neon lights....lol.....no thanks!
Ok, No noise with radio on with just the key on without the truck running. Its as clear as it can be. Same issue with the ground ran to the battery, even put a spare battery on the floorboard and hooked it up with the same result. Will try the alt./ hammer trick tommorow when I have some help. If it changes then what?
I appricate the input, need to get this fixed!
Gordon
 
If it changes then it is the noise suppresion device in the alternator. They can be bad right from the box.

Another thing to remember is that your heater fan runs whenever the key is in the on position. So, if your stereo is mounted in the stock location, I would try removing the power wire to the heater fan, and see if that helps. I have seen a bad ground at the fan cause this same type of issue.
 
There is no noise when the key is in the on position without the engine running.
 
Spark plug wires.......Um lets see just changed them, well between the time I had no noise witht e factory radio and the time I put the Alpine in and have noise now......they are BWD brand from Oriley. Think that would cause it?
 
Are they suppression core or solid core?
The suppression type, which most are, is for noise suppression. The solid or graphite core wires, race or some high preformance type will cause radio interference. That whine that follows engine rpm. Suppression is for radio noise suppression.
 
This is what is states on the wires I have.

Select Spark Plug Sets with super-mag core deliver strength, high conductivity and heat resistance that mean the ultimate in performance and improved fuel economy.

Premium quality BWD Automotive brand Select Magnetic Suppression Spark Plug Sets provide an O.E. fit second to none ... with a major step up in quality. The key to Select performance? Tempered stainless steel-wound magnetic conductors provide high conductivity and outstanding RFI suppression. Plus, precisely controlled resistance values that deliver a hotter, longer spark and higher gas mileage. And EPDM (Ethylene Polypropylene Diene Molymer) dielectric insulation that provides unequalled voltage containment for high efficiency current flow without sparkloss.

Zinc-plated, snap-lock spark plug terminals provide a durable, corrosion- proof connection. Super-tough super-mag core, made from Kevlan® and glass fibre braid, resist strain and stress. And extra-thick silicone wire jackets resist the significantly higher operating temperatures in today's engines.

BWD Automotive brand Select Wire Sets cover domestic & import application and carries a lifetime warranty.

Think another brand may be better? If so what do you reccomend? Noticed the listing for these cut off at 88 (went 78-88) maybe the noise has something to do with that?
 
Would a wire issue make it produce noise only while the radio is on and not the cd player?
I have no noise while cd is on.
 
I know from experience certain plug wires can cause this complaint.
Im not familiar with the wires youre using so I hate to condemn them. In their description it states suppression.
Quite a few years ago I had the same problem you are having. I narrowed it down to the Accel plug wires I was using. I replaced them with a set of Taylors and problem solved. To this day I use Taylors.
 
Wher do you buy taylors? Suppose they have a beter "sheild" in them than the others?
 
Just ordered a set to fit. Keeping my fingers crossed will keep you posted. Thanks!!
 
Brain storming here.........if wires can do that think plugs could to? Are any special plugs needed? I changed them when I did the wires.....trying to remember what I put in.
 
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