single channel crackle

Long time reader, first time poster.

First off I appreciate all the help I have seen on this forum, it truly is remarkable as to how people can communicate with each other effectively.

Onto the problem:
2003 Chevrolet Malibu Base Model
HU - JVC KD-G430
Single Channel Amplifier - Kenwood KAC-8152D
Subwoofer - Infinity Reference 1250w
Cap - Tsunami Lite Wave Capacitor 1.2-farad
4 Channel Amplifier - Alpine MRP-F250
Rear Deck - Infinity Kappa 693.7i
Front Doors - Infinity Kappa 462.7cfp

I also have a few other little knickknacks, such as LEDs strung throughout the vehicle and we retrofitted on some Audi A6 HID Headlights.

The problem is one channel is getting what seems to be an electrical current through it.

Initially when I discovered this problem I did some tinkering, I had moved around the RCA cables and the sound would move. I contacted Crutchfield support and the guy said it could be the Amplifier, RCA Cables, or the Head Unit. My Girlfriend needed a 2 Channel Amplifier so I gave her my Alpine and bought another one and some brand new Stinger Pro 3 interconnects. It worked fine for about a week or so but today the problem has come back and only in one channel, the same channel. Even if the head unit is off and the amplifiers are off, the sound still exists and is quite audible. It is inconsistent, doesn't matter if I am braking, accelerating, decelerating, it seems to happen more when I hit bumps but the road could be perfectly smooth and it'll still happen with quite regularity.

Before jumping to conclusions, here are some symptoms I have noticed about the setup:

1. Initially when I start my vehicle, all is well, when I press the brake for the first time to shift out of park, there is an audible crackle through the speakers, all of them.

2. When turning off my headlights via a toggle switch, there is an audible pop through all of the speakers.

After I discovered these two symptoms I went out and bought a Dremel and redid all of my grounds on everything I had ever installed, Amplifiers, Headlights, LEDs, Head-Unit, and a Relay.

Unfortunately the problem remains and I am at a loss currently. If the head unit is really the problem I have no trouble replacing it, but before I put money down on one I would like to know it is not something else.

Thanks in advance for reading this little tidbit, I look forward to some replies.

Sincerely,
Matt from Chicago, Illinois

It makes a noise when the amplifier is turned off?    Is it the front left speaker that is making the noise?

Front Right speaker that is making noise, and yes when the amplifier and radio are off it is making noise. I do not have power windows either.

If the amp and the radio are both off, chances are the sound is not coming from your speaker.

No, it is coming from my speaker. It is distinct, kind of like static from a radio but more defined and crackly and only out of that one channel.

Sorry for a double post, if I move the RCA cable, the sound moves with it even with the power off. If I plug in that RCA plug into the Rear Passenger outlet, it'll go there, and to the other rare, etc...it stays with that cable coming off the Radio.

Your amp  is obviously turned on during the noise.  Place the RCA cables back on the appropriate jacks of the amp.  Now at the back of the radio switch them up there.  If the problem moves to another channel, your radio is the culprit.  If the noise stays on the front right speaker, the noise is being induced into the patch cord.

I will try that, but I assure you, the amplifier is turned off. Unless the LED is broken which it isn't because it lights up when the radio is turned on.

Yes, that's what initially bothered me, sure if the amplifier was on it would all make sense...but it isn't I swear, I will take pictures if needed lol. Switched it and drove around a bit tonight, the sound didn't appear yet. Sometimes it takes a day or two. I'll keep you posted, thank you for the help so far, much appreciated.

Well just an update on the situation.

The sound moves with the RCA cables still. I did find out today on the way home from Six Flags I am getting an amplifier pop when I power on and off the head unit. Any ideas as to where I should go from here? The jacketing on the RCAs is intact.