Radio Problem (buzzing)

[firebirdman469]

So I get my car out of storage over the weekend, change all the fluids, and start her up. Then, I hear an annoying buzz coming from my radio. It increases in pitch the higher the RPMs go. I did some trouble shooting, and I have found that the sound goes away when I unplug my RCA cables that go to my amplifier. After brainstorming I think it could possibly be a bad ground. I took the alternator out, had it tested, and it passed. I then checked all of my wiring behind the dash and the ground to the main harness is fine. Then, I bought a ground loop isolator and installed that. When the isolator was installed, the hum went away, but the subwoofers didn't produce any sound... So now I am out of ideas... Any input would be greatly appreciated!!

-James

[Schuby87]

Sounds like a bad ground. Is your power wire and signal wire ran down the same side?

[Kwazrollinz28]

Mine used to do this, every morning, and then after about 30 mins or so it would stop, Now it doesnt do it at all luckily.

It was so high pitched i actually turned the radio off, ALSO i unplugged my subs, And Just went almost Full blast and then it went away and after that it seemed to quit, doubt that did it though.

[Phantom409]

^ I'm with the pwr wire idea.

The same thing will happen if you get spark plug wires to close or to big.

[MP81]

Yep - alternator whine...

What Brett said is a common cause...

[lozanoa11]

your power wire isent near any speaker wire is it? that can cause it sometimes

[98blackbeauty]

usually this problem is a poor ground connection somewhere. But One other thought was also the large cap that the power goes through maybe it froze or went bad over winter.

[meissen]

Surprised no one stated the most obvious - check the ground on the amplifier. If the sound is occurring when you plug the RCA cables (thus disconnecting the amplifier from the speakers), check the amplifier's ground because that's where the hum is coming from.

[firebirdman469]

Surprised no one stated the most obvious - check the ground on the amplifier. If the sound is occurring when you plug the RCA cables (thus disconnecting the amplifier from the speakers), check the amplifier's ground because that's where the hum is coming from.

I have the RCAs and power wire on opposite sides already so that shouldn't be it. My speaker wire isn't even close to the power wire either. I also forgot to mention that I have had this system hooked up for 3 years with no problems, and no changes made. Then, all of a sudden I pull it out of storage this year, and this happens...BOO

Any more ideas? Troubleshooting?

[BP_Z28]

Go to a audio store and ask them the question and see if you get a good reliable answer.. then go back home and work on it yourself. I had a problem with my sound system.

Went to Dukes, talk to the guy.. and he even came outside and lent me ahand to fix it

[jderry]

sorry to bring this up from the dead
but why would a car stero do this when its not running?

[Joedashredder93]

Our 89 vette does this. Were pretty sure it's the power antenna. The first one broke so we replaced it and it has been buzzing/Whining ever since

[jderry]

I dont have a power antenna, and i hear it even when the headunit is on cd mode
its more of a quiet sssssssssssssss noise

[Joedashredder93]

O, in that case it's prolly the HU itself since there is no interference with the speakers. The noise we get is a loud BUZZ

[jderry]

O, in that case it's prolly the HU itself since there is no interference with the speakers. The noise we get is a loud BUZZ

Its brand new, litterly, the old one did it too, i think im loosing it, i swear my computer speakers are doing it too