Radio Whine

Audio, Electronics and Lighting questions and answers

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sliq
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Radio Whine

Postby sliq » Tue Sep 29, 2009 10:32 am

Hi Guys,

After searching this forum for ways to eliminate radio whine, it returned nil results. Miata.net had very little on how to get rid of alternator whine too.

So how do we go about getting rid of this whine? It gets louder whenever you plant your right foot, ceases whine when the radio is off.

I believe somewhere in my radio system (which i upgraded about a month ago), there is a ground that hasn't been grounded properly. I have a pioneer head unit, some splits that are powered by an amplifier.

Szemen's informed me to use some gauge wire but I am not too good with electricity or anything mechanical based.

Help!
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gobsmax
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Radio Whine

Postby gobsmax » Tue Sep 29, 2009 11:09 am

You can get noise filters from car audio places...dunno if they help tho... :?

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Benny
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Radio Whine

Postby Benny » Tue Sep 29, 2009 1:20 pm

Are you sure your wife/girlfriend isn't in the passenger seat?

That's where most of the whining comes from in my SP. :mrgreen:

Seriously though, people like Jaycar etc. sell kits to get rid of the whining from your stereo.
They mainly consist of capicitors and filters to get rid of the noise.
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bruce
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Radio Whine

Postby bruce » Tue Sep 29, 2009 1:22 pm

in-line noise supressors?

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Jeo
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Radio Whine

Postby Jeo » Tue Sep 29, 2009 2:49 pm

Forget noise suppressors. They only ever mask a problem that shouldn't be that hard to solve.

Does the whine change pitch with revs?
Speakers are powered by an external amp yes? Check that the signal cable isn't too close to the amp power cable.
Check all your grounds.

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sliq
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Radio Whine

Postby sliq » Tue Sep 29, 2009 3:16 pm

speakers are grounded by an external amp.

pitch doesn't change with any revs, but the volume of it does.
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Radio Whine

Postby AJ » Tue Sep 29, 2009 4:52 pm

another thing to consider, this problem also occurs when plug leads are either a) past their use by date & 'leaking' or b) cheap arse leads with not enough insulation around the core............could be worth a look. :wink:
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Fuzzlet
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Radio Whine

Postby Fuzzlet » Tue Sep 29, 2009 7:25 pm

I get a little bit of alternator whine in my car (tho it changes pitch with revs). I got rid of the majority of it by the traditional methods - keep the RCA leads away from power leads, make sure my ground leads are nice and fat, and take the most direct route to the battery. Only time I get alt whine these days is if the stereo is on but music paused
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Radio Whine

Postby michelangelo » Wed Sep 30, 2009 11:34 pm

check the grounding, gauge wire.

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sliq
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Radio Whine

Postby sliq » Mon Oct 05, 2009 3:57 pm

jeo, i listened out for its pitch, and it changes with how much boot i give. i'll give your trick a shot on a sunnier day :frown: looks like the heavens is about to open up outside
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Radio Whine

Postby Jeo » Mon Oct 05, 2009 4:04 pm

All but guarantee its an earthing issue then, the earth going to the amp will be the most likely culprit. You need no paint on the chassis and a solid connection.

Failing that it could still be that the signal wires are picking up on some form of interference, but thats both less likely and a bitch to chase.


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