Hey, I got an electrical question that I'm hoping someone out there can answer.

I have an aftermarket sound system installed in my car. My father and I did all of the wiring ourselves, and it operates fine. We have it wired to a switch mounted just in front of the shifter so I can control when the bass is on or off. I almost always listen to CDs so I've never noticed this problem before.

I was driving to work this morning listening to a radio talk show and my switch was off. The reception was fine. Then a song came on, so I flicked the bass switch. After about a 1 second lag (which is normal in my car) the bass kicked in, and the reception sounded HORRIBLE. Complete static. I tried this another 4 or 5 times and sure enough when the bass is on my reception sucks ***.

I believe I'm running a 4 gauge power wire setup. Anyone know how to get rid of this interference or why its happening?

 

I assume it was an AM station? And, did the pitch of the 'noise' change with the RPM? If so, maybe your amp is pulling a lot of juice and you are hearing static from the alternator brushes? Need a little more information.

 

sounds like maybe a bad connection, or ground?

 

Hmm... I think the connections are fine. I rechecked all of the wires (where they connect) and where they ground. And no it was not AM stations, they were FM ones. I checked several to verify. They all came in good when the switch was off, but were full of static when the switch was on.

The noise did NOT change with the RPM, it was strictly related to the switch.

Any other tips/pointers?

 

Could be bad RCAs.

 

I might have to check that... our stock head unit doesn't have RCA's so I actually needed to use a LOC (line out convertor), the PNI-35 model. I doubt that'd be it, but it won't hurt to check my connections.

 

If you dont have RCA's, im guessing you have the stock LX audio, which means you needed to find someplace to tap into for the remote amp turn on..

Where did you tap it?

 

Well I have the stock SI audio (non-navi).

I tapped into the wiring found near the stock 8" subwoofer, as listed in the DIY thread over on 8th. It worked for me and went pretty smoothly, I just anchored the LOC inside the plastic piece located on the inside of the trunk.

 

Sounds fine to me, dunno what could be up

edit- maybe your amp power lines are running too close to the antenna cables, that's my only guess.