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How do I fix the hummmmm?

Discussion in 'Audio & Video' started by Justinlhc, Sep 2, 2015.

  1. Sep 2, 2015 at 9:20 PM
    #1
    Justinlhc

    Justinlhc [OP] Not looking for a relationship

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    So I've got the hummmm that plays along with the engine rpm. I changed my RCA's to a high quality set and moved my ground to a new spot where I sanded off the paint. I was thinking about a "noise suppressor" or filter, but I'm not sure if that's the right way to solve whatever my problem is.

    FYI my power wires are ran in a separate location from my RCA's.
     
  2. Sep 2, 2015 at 9:34 PM
    #2
    Flippu

    Flippu Active Member

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    Try and run a different grounding point. Maybe even go all the way to the engine bay (temporarily) to see if the humming persists.

    And good luck with your trouble shooting. The worst ever I think.

    Mike
     
  3. Sep 2, 2015 at 9:49 PM
    #3
    Justinlhc

    Justinlhc [OP] Not looking for a relationship

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    I've moved it once already and it didn't improve. I'll have to try the temporary ground to the battery. I could have sworn in the manual it says not to ground the amp directly to the battery for some reason.
     
  4. Sep 3, 2015 at 4:45 AM
    #4
    ike3000

    ike3000 Well-Known Member

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    Have you checked your HU ground? Sometimes the factory ground wire isn't sufficient and a new ground wire is necessary.
     
  5. Sep 3, 2015 at 5:18 AM
    #5
    oafMUNN

    oafMUNN Well-Known Member

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    I had the same problem in my Audi, I grounded the Rca cables using regular electric wire wrapped around the male end then plugged it the Rcas in to my stereo and it was the only thing that worked
     
  6. Sep 3, 2015 at 6:03 AM
    #6
    Justinlhc

    Justinlhc [OP] Not looking for a relationship

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    I read about that, but a lot of people say not to do that since it's not really fixing the problem. I haven't tried it to see if it would actually work. I know some people said it didn't work for them.
     
  7. Sep 3, 2015 at 6:51 AM
    #7
    Revelations

    Revelations Well-Known Member

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    Do you have other accessories that you've grounded? Sometimes, too many ground points will create noise as well.
     
  8. Sep 3, 2015 at 9:10 AM
    #8
    oafMUNN

    oafMUNN Well-Known Member

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    It worked for me, I spent a few days trying other stuff and nothing else worked. That's why this problem is such a pain in the ass because it could be a bad ground, the alternator, and a bunch of other things. Good luck man
     
  9. Sep 3, 2015 at 9:44 AM
    #9
    012TacoDeAsada

    012TacoDeAsada Well-Known Member

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    Icon all around,sick nicks fab front bumper..bfg a/t 275 80 17 on konig counter steer x,all pro rear bumper,5k hid,3k fog lights,rockford fosgate sound system on stock stereo,tints
    First you have to determine where its coming from either the head unit or the amp..best ground is always going to be from the frame..
     
  10. Sep 4, 2015 at 5:38 PM
    #10
    Babs

    Babs Well-Known Member

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    Here's what I did in my car. Absolutely killed ground loop noise. Main power run right? K. Ran a 4-conductor line I had back up to the dash, inline fuse behind the dash. Then into a fuse port in a distro block. So 12v constant, ground, accessory from head unit and SWI are all in that line. So all power and ground is common with the amps. All common power and ground.
     
  11. Sep 4, 2015 at 5:54 PM
    #11
    Justinlhc

    Justinlhc [OP] Not looking for a relationship

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    Thanks for the tip. I have 2 amps that require a 4awg each though. That makes me think I need to upgrade my grounds somehow. I'll be messing with it over the weekend.
     
  12. Sep 4, 2015 at 10:21 PM
    #12
    Caligula

    Caligula Well-Known Member

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    This is commonly from using separate grounds between the amp and head unit. My setup also uses 4 gauge for both power and ground. What i did that almost eliminated the issue was run a 16 gauge wire under the console from the head unit ground wire to the ground point im using for the amp: tone of the 10mm bolts that hold the center console in place (the metal bracket to body). So the HU shares the ground with the amp now.
     
  13. Sep 8, 2015 at 9:35 AM
    #13
    mbrogz3000

    mbrogz3000 Well-Known Member

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    I'm 2 for 2 now on my own installs and avoiding ground loop noise on very first attempt.

    I used the seat belt bolt location for ground - I sanded down the body until it was shiny, and I then sanded down both sides of the seat belt bracket until they were shiny. This guarantees a very very good bond between the metal surfaces so that the return current passes straight through the bracket metal to the body rather than skirting all around the surface trying to find the ground. The bolt itself isn't the ground, the body is the ground. My battery terminal voltage is 13.86 V... and the voltage back at the amps is 13.84 V. A 0.02 V drop isn't too shabby.

    I wanted the seat belt bracket against the body first for safety and liability purposes, but also because it was causing my ground terminal ring to become cocked. The ring terminal needs to be completely flat against the metal surface for a good, solid connection.
     
  14. Oct 3, 2015 at 4:19 PM
    #14
    Justinlhc

    Justinlhc [OP] Not looking for a relationship

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    I've literally tried every method mentioned and recently installed a "noise filter" on the HU which actually helped, but didn't fix my issue. I'm thinking my amp is the culprit. I'm kinda wishing I would have left the door speakers being powered by the HU at this point.
     
  15. Oct 3, 2015 at 4:28 PM
    #15
    Caligula

    Caligula Well-Known Member

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    You got to share the ground point for the amp and head unit, only sure way to get rid of alternator whine. Im using the M6 bolt hole on the bracket that you bolt the center console to. The bolt it not going to be a good conductor. Like the previous poster, i sanded down the are around the bolt hole on the body and the bottom of the bracket, the sprayed some Deoxit to prevent corrosion. DO NOT use dielectric grease, it will insulate the points. I had a 14 gauge wire form the head unit along with my RCA cables down over the hump. Noise is gone.

    Funny, it does come back when im charging my phone with a cig lighter adapter, while using the mini jack to get the audio to the head unit. Another example of two separate grounds being used.

    First pic is bad, but its the white wire, running along with the black remote switch wire from the amp.

    2015-09-19 13.40.22.jpg
    IMG_20150918_143131.jpg
     

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