peeeot Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 The stock radio on my car makes a lot of white background noise, even on very strong local stations. There are occasional pops and crackling noises as well. It has a power antenna, and I attempted to follow the instructions provided in the manual for checking for good ground, but the instructions were a bit confusing and I didn't get any conclusive results. Are these noises usually the product of a bad radio head unit, bad ground, or antenna issue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 are these noises present with the key in the engine run position(guages on), but with the engine off? are they consistent with engine rpm? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeeot Posted September 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 I'm pretty sure that they happen with the engine off as well as with it on. I haven't noticed any change in them based on engine rpm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Bowler Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 I'd like to see the answer to this cause mine does it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garracudda Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Check your RCA's. Im having the same problem also, and I believe it it because my RCA's going to my amps are near power wires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
97loudcut Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 could be someone from the past who died trying to contact you.. if it isnt that then I am going to say the RCA's are touching something or your antenna is shot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mach 5 Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 yeah mine does that too, even when the volume is down. I think it could be the stock speakers but Im probably wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19Cutlass94 Posted September 15, 2006 Report Share Posted September 15, 2006 Check your RCA's. Im having the same problem also, and I believe it it because my RCA's going to my amps are near power wires. Deff want to check that. You should NEVER rum RCA's next to speaker wire or power wire. Id also check out the antenna and the ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeeot Posted September 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2006 What are RCAs? My stereo is 100% stock, original speakers and everything, so if any wires are in places they shouldn't be, it's the factory's fault. Or else clips that retain the wiring have broken or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19Cutlass94 Posted September 16, 2006 Report Share Posted September 16, 2006 If its all stock, then id just look for loose grounds/ antenna. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeeot Posted September 18, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 whoops--I was wrong. One of the main noises I've been noticing only happens when the engine is running, and though the change is slight, it does indeed change with engine rpm. It is a background, ticking kind of noise. The other noises, however, such as the occasional pop or crackle, occur whether the engine is running or not. I know that at least one of my rear speakers needs to be replaced, because when I turn the volume up at all with the "loud" button pressed, it makes slapping noises like the cone insulation is failing or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19Cutlass94 Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 If it only happens when the engine is running, and it changes with RPM, its usually means its a ground loop, and what your hearing is the alternator. And yes, one of your speakers is probably blown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeeot Posted September 18, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 what's the fix for that? I'd thought it would be something to do with the insulation on the park plug wires failing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19Cutlass94 Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 I used an RCA filter to solve the problem, but if you say everything is stock then.........? Unless your car has a factory amp in it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeeot Posted September 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 The shop manual shows a factory amplifier under the driver's side of the dashboard. I don't know whether every car had it or not, nor do I know for sure whether mine does. About the alternator, most sources describe alternator noises as being high-pitched. My noise is pitchless, more of a ticking or like the sort of noise old cassettes make. When I increase engine speed, the rate of the ticking increases slightly, but remains pitchless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19Cutlass94 Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 The whine of a alternator is high pitched, but running RCA's by a power wire will make a lower sound that will also increase as engine speed does. Thats two noises that alternators can cause. Because when those wires are run together, your hearing the alternator loop. Ive had this happen to me before and an RCA filter solved the problem. But seeing as how your all stock, Id start with the blown speakers and go from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeeot Posted September 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 All right. I'll get to work on that ASAP, and post on the results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeeot Posted October 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2006 I've done some more investigation. First of all, the noise happens even when I have the antenna unplugged. So it isn't coming in through the antenna; it must be through the wiring. Second, the noise is independent of the volume I set the head unit to. I turned the volume all the way down and the noise was exactly the same; similarly, I can sort of drown it out by turning the volume up. I'm almost positive that I have the original spark plug wires on this car. What's the likelihood that their insulation is worn out and that's what's causing the problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeeot Posted October 22, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2006 I replaced the spark plug wires. They probably needed replacing anyway, since they were the originals. The noise is still there, though it might be reduced slightly. That marks one possibility off the list at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeeot Posted October 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 Today I tried something that I read online is a good way of pinpointing the source of ignition noise. I got a portable am radio (cassette walkman) and tuned in to a weak station and listened around the engine compatment for noise. One thing that I learned was that the noise I'm hearing through my radio is very audible over the AM airwaves. As long as the walkman was within 2 feet of the engine compartment, I could hear the noise I'm complaining about. Unfortunately, it was strong enough that I couldn't really tell any difference by moving the walkman closer to or farther away from things, which means I couldn't really pinpoint the source. I tried putting the walkman against the spark plug wires and ignition coils. Nothing changed for the wires but putting it next to the coils produced a different noise altogether that drowned out the other noise. All this to say, I don't know what to make of it, except that it doesn't have to come through the wires for the radio to pick it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitaloutsider Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 My '90 GP did this. A newer headunit fixed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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