Popping and Whining from stereo

[flossin22s]

hey i'm starting getting a popping from from the speakers when i turn up the volume, it started happening yesturday.....then when i went to start the car it started to have very loud engine noise (static and the whine) as it sits still & also when rev higher...........the amp is 5 years old (interfire) but i doubt that be the problem

[bigal470]

Usually the Whine is from a bad ground or bad RCA cables...how do you have everything hooked up?

[flossin22s]

actually had a shop do it 2 years ago, but i passed thru a lil hill with train tracks at 0psi so the car jumped and then it started after that........so i think something shorted...........i really dont know sh*t about stereos

[BUTWEET]

Check all connections at the amp and the power & ground sources. Make all connections tight! Will probably solve your issue.

[MagnumRT05]

***Ground loop***

The chassis of your car serves as a ground. Often when installing PC's and amplifiers, they are located in different parts of the car. The ground wire for both units is often grounded in different spots on the car. While the metal chassis is a decent conductor, it isn't perfect and there can be a difference in electrical potential between the two grounding points. The result is a buzzing noise, or a whine, often coming from the alternator, which accounts for the change in the sound as the alternator spins faster and slower with engine rpms.

There are two possible solutions:

1. Ground all components to the same point. This will reduce the potential and should greatly reduce any noise.

2. If number 1 is not possible (and it often is not), use a "ground loop isolator", available at nearly all electronics stores, or car audio suppliers. This device prevents a direct electrical connection between the two sources and will usually fix the ground loop

It's also possible that the RCA cables are too close to power cables. While most proper setups would ensure that power cables do not run near or beside audio cables, people make mistakes. It is solved by moving the power cables further until there was no more "whine". I bet its the ground loop though! Try it, and I can help your @$$ out more if you need it!