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Another ground loop ? or what ?

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=30767
Printed Date: September 11, 2025 at 1:03 PM


Topic: Another ground loop ? or what ?

Posted By: Bills99si
Subject: Another ground loop ? or what ?
Date Posted: April 20, 2004 at 9:09 PM

I know I know , How many times can one question be asked. ?  Im new here so be gentle, I have installed several systems before without a ground loop problem ranging from a 85 Dodge Charger - 90 Mustang - 95 Dodge Dakota 4x4 and now my favorite ride - a  99 Honda Civic Si.  It has some miles on it about 120000 but I still run it at the track, Reading the post before I think I might have narrowed it down . But Im not sure I need some dirrect help with my situation - since each car system is unique.  I am getting a major alternator wine, specially at night with the lights and AC on.  daaaaaaaaaa    when engine is off - NO noise at all...  when engine is on at idle  no noise , da , but at high revs its there a bit with no load. with load it is really noticiable, In the engine bay  I use Densol Iridium titanium plugs, with 8mm double insulated wires, I replaced the distrib cap and rotor.  On the inside I have as follows - HU = Kenwood KDC-MPV619 mp3 / CD Changer controller, Im using the 4 Pre-outputs, to a Rockford Fosgate Punch 300x '4x35'  this is running my Front Boston Acoustics RC5.5 and Rear is Sony Extreme 6x9's, From the 4x35 amp there is a Bass pre output @ 80hz lowpass , to a Rockford Fosgate 200X   200x1 bridged  running 2  - 8ohm JL Audio W0 in a sealed box, the power is Stinger  4g from battery across the fire wall down the drivers side to a D-block = from there one to 4x35 and the other to a 1/2f Stinger CAP the to the subs.  The Grounds are also Stinger 4g, The grounds go from the amps and CAP to a D-block and then to the base of my spare tire well ( inside the main body structure not on the out side of the side welds ) , The signal is Street Wire Zero RCA's from the head down the hump under the passenger seat on the left- throught the center of the back seat to my amp rack ( which is mounted at the same angle of my rear folding back supports. The Speaker lines follow the right side to the center of the fire wall , then to the wiring harness from the HU. ( hence the Civic has a Plug-in for the wiring throu the door jams , power mirrors,widow and speakers in the door, I dont have time to cut new holes, I am planning on gettng some kick panels )    OK so now what have I tried - larger grounds in engine bay - no effect,  ran RCA from head to amp not under carpet but just straight line - no effect,  hooked up my car to wifes car battery when she is running - no noise, had altenator checked passed with flying colors, battery is fine too, checked all ground and power lines for pinches or punchures,   NOW what i haven't done - is probably it from reading the posts, I have tried a ton of stuff and the one thing i haven't tried is move the HU ground to the firewall or floor, I am a family man with a job a hour + away with a 4 year old and no time to spend on my ride, I think i made a mistake bye letting Circuit City do the install of my HU, - but it was so convinent to have them do it and all I needed to do is visit pet store for a hour with my daughter.  This was last spring - so you can emagine how long i have put up with this, but weather is changing and I might have time to tinker - So I need some ideas to shot for and to plan out my attach with the right knowledge and tools I can get it fixed,  any ideas  ???

Thanks Bill..   wow this is a long one huh ??? 



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Life's short-Play Hard Driv A Si
Comptech __IN--OUT_ to GO | } > = -
Falken Azenis Sports 4 gripn t Road(<>)
Brembo - Hawk to STOP - = < } |
)( JESUS   Rules )(



Replies:

Posted By: goldenbrodie
Date Posted: April 20, 2004 at 10:06 PM
i'm no expert but it sounds like your running to power off your battery/alternator its a bit costly but i would get a power cap and hook it up....basically it pulls power from the bat/alt at a steady pace and stores the extra power for when amps, subs, etc need the extra power.....hope that helps




Posted By: Bills99si
Date Posted: April 20, 2004 at 10:46 PM

OPPS , Ididnt finish a sentence, man thats what happens with a 4 year old running around you when your tryn to type,  Sorry ,   Up in the begining on the part of what wires I am running - " from there one to 4x35 and the other to a 1/2f Stinger CAP the to the subs.  "  It should have read a little bit better....

like = "" from the dist block  - one power wire 8g goes to the 4x35 amp and the second 8g runs to a 1/2f Cap then to the sub amplifier. """





Posted By: kickerstang
Date Posted: April 21, 2004 at 6:32 AM
where are you grounds connected at?? you didn't ground to a seat belt or anything did you?   double and triple check all your grounds and there continuity. if you can't figure it out get a noise filter, but you really need to find whats causing it.

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what!?!?! you want some??




Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: April 21, 2004 at 11:03 AM
Try also taking the ground direct to the battery. Rockford amps usually are 100% noise free, it is when there is a ground problem that the noise filter circuit has a hard time in those amps. Ignore the cap, it will have little effect on this system.

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Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.




Posted By: Bills99si
Date Posted: April 27, 2004 at 11:52 AM

OK, wow everytime i try to reply to these someone or something comes up...  so i am going to post this even if it is in the middle of a statement...  OK first my 2 amps and cap are on a rack - so the grounds (8g) go to one junction box then (4g) to the middle of my car with a 1/4" bolt and nut with those funny washers (with sharp edges) I did sand it down on both sides and coated it on the underside to prevent rust, I moved it there after I read Honda's have a wonderful electrical system. HAHA , I was told about the seamdown the sides and I moved it to the inner frame area. I am starting to believe it is my HU ground, but not positive. I had a event the other night , It was raining and it was humid out my car had sat for 2 days, and when I started it it was missn bad - like a plug wire wasnt connected, it was night and i popped the hood - low and behold i saw pretty sparks - coming out of one of the boots arcing to the distribs base, and arcing across wire to wire..   bummer - I wonder if that is the problem ? cause once and a while the whining stops and then starts and stops  etc...   when hitting bumps.... not often but on some rare occasions.

Bill



-------------
-----------------------------
Life's short-Play Hard Driv A Si
Comptech __IN--OUT_ to GO | } > = -
Falken Azenis Sports 4 gripn t Road(<>)
Brembo - Hawk to STOP - = < } |
)( JESUS   Rules )(





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