Alternator Whine Noise, Help !
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=15129
Printed Date: July 27, 2025 at 5:36 AM
Topic: Alternator Whine Noise, Help !
Posted By: Bear
Subject: Alternator Whine Noise, Help !
Date Posted: June 18, 2003 at 6:16 PM
I have a 1993 Ford E-150 hightop conversion van fully loaded 140amp alternator,13 inch Tv ,Vcr. I have added the following... 1.Panasonic CQ-DF802U Head Unit 2. Soundstream Rubicon Lil' Wonder 4 Amp 3.Farenheit DVD-5 Player 4. Six 100 watt Soundstream 5x7 3way speakers All the wiring is fresh 8 gauge power good Rca cables good ground all new speaker wires also. The system has a whining noise when engine is running , mostly noticed when reciever is on Aux and playing DVD through it. The noise seems to get louder durning acceleration. I have tried filters on the Rca cables in different locations and no difference. I have also bought high dollar Rca cables and no difference. I am sure I forgot something any help would be appreciated, Thanks Bear:errr:
Replies:
Posted By: MAXST
Date Posted: June 18, 2003 at 6:51 PM
all your cables runnin next to each other? might be catching interference. or the gound isnt good?
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I need quality equipment, feel free to donate.
Posted By: Bear
Date Posted: June 18, 2003 at 6:58 PM
I moved power away from other cables and redid the ground several times to different points and diff wire also. I am pulling my hair out. Thanks, Bear 
Posted By: nedgeworth
Date Posted: June 18, 2003 at 7:14 PM
Are you running your signal cables down the opposite side of ur ride to the power?? And make sure ur ground point is nice and clean ie. sand back any paint work.
Posted By: MAXST
Date Posted: June 18, 2003 at 7:24 PM
maybe a belt or a bearing goin out??? the power fluctuate ne? ------------- I need quality equipment, feel free to donate.
Posted By: IXJ159
Date Posted: June 18, 2003 at 7:29 PM
did you use any RCA connectors? like femlae to female, or male to male to change the input of an RCA for the video system?? also, are you using an FM modulator to get audio from your DVD player?? if you are using an FM modulator, make sure it isnt touching any metal, and make sure it is grounded in a noise free spot, and if you are using and barrel connectors for the RCAs get some good onces and not the onces that are 25 cents each, u are just bugging for noise then... anyhow, hope that helps. Eric
Posted By: BulletTooth
Date Posted: June 18, 2003 at 9:08 PM
Is that the Panasonic with the face that has graphics? If if is it could be the stereo. I had a similar prob;em with one like it, I think it's the high intensity discharge face that causes that noise.
Posted By: irontrain
Date Posted: June 21, 2003 at 10:26 AM
On the subject of grounding to eliminate "engine whine".Can you use one of the mounting bolts for the seats?
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Posted By: NHSPIKE
Date Posted: June 21, 2003 at 7:10 PM
I'm watching this thread very closely, since I have a similar whine coming out of my system.... so far, the grounding solution is the most promising, even though I sanded down to metal... Let's hear more ideas! :o) ------------- ...
spikey
'94 Lincoln, Sony CDX-CA810X, Pioneer TS-A1664/TS-A6963, MTX Blue Thunder PRO50X4, Kenwood KAC-7201, JL Audio 15W4 Sub
Posted By: ezridr
Date Posted: June 21, 2003 at 9:42 PM
In order to trouble shoot noise you have to isolate where the noise is coming from or wher it is being introduced into the system. You need to disconnect everything from the source unit except for the amp. Start there, see if the noise is there, then piece by piece start reconnecting your accessories until the noise comes back. Then; say for instance it is the DVD player, try to isolate it by running a pair of rcas directly from the dvd into the headunit without installing them into the vehicle, either outside the car or over the seats, if the noise still is there then try a different power and ground source point in the vehicle, if you still have noise, then hook the power up to a totally separate battery or power source that is not connected to the car and see if you still have noise. Once you have identified the noisemaker it will be easier to try and correct the problem, rather than just sticking a bunch of noise filters on you entire system and hoping that it gets rid of the whine. Also keep in mind that all manufacturers don't use the same "standard's" when building products and sometimes you might get a product that was built without using the best methods of isolating componentry, circuitry, power supply, output, etc directly from the manufacturer, just a thought.
Posted By: fia_cyclone
Date Posted: June 21, 2003 at 9:52 PM
im having the same problem. iv ran the power to the outside of the car through pvc. created seprate grounds of 12" from the amps to the body. tried ground loop isolators, power noise filters. iv even ran my rca's and speaker wire through copper mesh sepertly to act as a sheild. ran new 4ga grounds on the battery. the only way i don't get any noise and i have to keep it at low volume is to hook the power to a 12 volt portable car starting pack...................any ideas.........Ron
Posted By: ezridr
Date Posted: June 21, 2003 at 9:56 PM
Ron, what kind of vehicle is it and what kind of equipment are you using???????
Posted By: NHSPIKE
Date Posted: June 21, 2003 at 10:17 PM
that's good info ezridr thanks ------------- ...
spikey
'94 Lincoln, Sony CDX-CA810X, Pioneer TS-A1664/TS-A6963, MTX Blue Thunder PRO50X4, Kenwood KAC-7201, JL Audio 15W4 Sub
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: June 22, 2003 at 9:09 AM
I noticed that you have 6 speakers and only your one amp running this system. Can you explain how you wires up the speakers to the amp ? Or are you using this amp for something else ? The amp gain might be set too high and you are inducing noise into the system through the amplifier. Lower your gains and see if this helps. Post your results.
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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Posted By: fia_cyclone
Date Posted: June 22, 2003 at 2:55 PM
heres an update. iv narrowed it to the alt feed back thru the battery connection. since the alt sends juce to the battery. my car is a zx2 98. i think if i install a cap at the alt + terminal and mount the cap to the housing of the alt it should elemanate the noise. what do you think...............ron
Posted By: NHSPIKE
Date Posted: June 22, 2003 at 6:48 PM
Ron, Sorry I can't answer your question... But as for my whine/noise, replacing my gold-plated (expensive, but prolly for indoor home use, not shielded for automotive use) radioshack RCA Y-connectors with monster cable Y-connectors solved the problem. (I run my rear speakers and sub from my RCA-rear output off my head unit to my rear amp... I use a Y-connector there to go to each channel of the amp, one driving the rear speakers, the other [bridged] driving the sub.) Interesting, but the radioshack "Premium" Y-connectors were 13 bucks each... the monster brand was 24 bucks for the pair. hehehe ------------- ...
spikey
'94 Lincoln, Sony CDX-CA810X, Pioneer TS-A1664/TS-A6963, MTX Blue Thunder PRO50X4, Kenwood KAC-7201, JL Audio 15W4 Sub
Posted By: MAXST
Date Posted: June 23, 2003 at 5:59 PM
Get the stuff thats made for car audio...
go to this one at the link below...... TPX2-1MX2 RCA/interconnect y adapter cable- 1 male to 2 female (set of 2) $9.99 https://thezeb.com/caraudio/lightningaudiointerconnects.html Good luck sorting out your problem(s) ------------- I need quality equipment, feel free to donate.
Posted By: Bear
Date Posted: June 25, 2003 at 5:51 PM
Thanks all for the help and suggestions. I am going to take a day off and pull everything out and start again a piece at a time . I am also going to add another battery and isolator and power everything from there. Thanks again, Bear
Posted By: NHSPIKE
Date Posted: June 25, 2003 at 7:44 PM
how will you keep it charged Bear? just curious, since it sounds like one helluva good way to isolate eveythang ------------- ...
spikey
'94 Lincoln, Sony CDX-CA810X, Pioneer TS-A1664/TS-A6963, MTX Blue Thunder PRO50X4, Kenwood KAC-7201, JL Audio 15W4 Sub
Posted By: ViperFreak_01
Date Posted: June 26, 2003 at 7:27 AM
Isolators are the way to go...had a friend that just re-did his system and the alternator sounded like a turbine through his system when he started his truck...threw in some isolators and wiped the problem out...
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