I have an '05 Screw.

I spent the better part of today upgrading my stereo system. I am keeping my factory HU, but upgrading everything else. I installed my amp today and am having problems with noise in the system. Here is what I have done so far.

1- Speaker wires and power wires were run down different sides of the truck. (power down driver's side, speaker wires down passenger). Speaker wires are twisted pair, and RCAs are 3' twisted and shielded.

2- I have the amp and 2 RCA line output converters grounded to a freshly sanded bolt hole where the jack usually is.

3- I have no whine when the engine is off but radio on.

4- If I disconnect the RCAs from the amp, the noise goes away.

5- The noise does change if I change the gain on the amp. It does not seem to change if I change the gain on the RCA converters (it did seem to drop out completely if I cut that gain off completely)

6- New to this vehicle for me (I've fought this demon in other vehicles), I get a nice sci-fi sound when I open the doors, or when the interior lights fade off after closing the doors.

After reading a bunch of posts, I am going to try 2 things.

A: First is upgrading the RCA converters. They are a questionable brand, and I dare now mention it out of shame. (they are leftover from my early college days)

B: I read something about running a ground wire from the HU to the amp grounding location?

Any input would be great.

-Bill

 

It definately sounds like something with your RCAs. First off, does your amp have line level inputs? If it does you could try to run it without the RCAs. Secondly, you could have a problem with either the converters or the RCAs themselves. Try to narrow it down to one or the other. IF you need a good converter, try... http://davidnavone.com A little more expensive but very good products

 

The RCA cables are both brand new, and I have the same problem with both. I wish the amp had speaker level inputs. It would make my life a more simple. I was thinking about the PAC OEM-2. I have heard good things, but the one you recommended is in the same price range.

Is there any other way of making sure the RCA converters are indeed the cuplrate? My thinking is that

1-there is no noise at the speaker level input of the converter (tested by hooking up a speaker to the wire before it enters the converter)

2- If I leave the RCA's plugged into the amp but not plugged into the converter, the noise drops out

that should confirm crappy converters?

 

sounds like it. You could also try some type of ground loop isolator to see if the ground on the converters is causing a ground loop. But I would think it would be the converter. You could also go all out and get a JL Audio Cleansweep. But that is a bit more money.

 

Get the rca converters mounted up behind the radio and ground the converters to the radio chassis directly.

 

If you still don't have it fixed try this...especially #2.

1. Don't ground the RCA output converters - it isn't necessary for them to work.

2. Don't ground the amp chassis. I'm not saying don't ground the amp via the ground connector, but the body of the amp itself. Make sure you have rubber grommets or something if screwed to metal.

 

I ordered the recommended David Navone converter yesterday. It looks like it will arrive some time this week. I'll give that a shot and hopefully it will clear up my noise. The other concern I have is a remote turn on. I tried the wire suggested in a previous thread and it did "work". But it had a bad thump when turning on and off. Is there a recommended wire to tap into, or should I possibly look at adding a trigger?

Thanks for all of the help so far!

 

Your remote turn on thump is related to the rest of the system noise you are encountering. If you remedy that... the rest will work itself out.

 

Why do they have to be rubber?

 

I don't care if you use rubber, nylon, plastic, dirty underwear...

Anything nonconductive!

 

Just an update for future readers. My David Navone 4 channel converter (NE-774V) arrived today. Luckily I was home today and was able to jump right on installing it. I just came in to look up info on removing door panels to install my new speakers. Bottom line...all my noise is gone. No whine, hiss, snap-crackle-pop, or any other noise. Considering how bad it was before, this converter is amazing. Most cheap converters run about $20, this was only $35(currently on sale). That is probably the best $15 I've ever spent on any car stereo.

 

glad you are happy with the results.