5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
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I have an 07 SE and installed an audio system completely replacing everything from the ground up. Almost since I finished there was fairly loud electrical noise coming from the speakers (worse with the car running but still audible when it is not). I tried all the normal solutions and despite what I tried everyone STILL told me I had a bad ground from the amp or head unit.
However, I noticed the other day that when I engaged the e-brake lifted my foot from it the noise was gone. I pushed the pedal back in to release it and the noise returned. I played with this for a bit and was able to reproduce the effect with the same result every time. I do have some ideas as to where I could start to fix this but rather than going into specifics about my installation figured I would just ask first if anyone else has run into or heard about this problem before?
(I don't think I ever noticed before because I usually will have the car shut off and engage the e-brake as I exit the vehicle)
I have an 07 SE and installed an audio system completely replacing everything from the ground up. Almost since I finished there was fairly loud electrical noise coming from the speakers (worse with the car running but still audible when it is not). I tried all the normal solutions and despite what I tried everyone STILL told me I had a bad ground from the amp or head unit.
However, I noticed the other day that when I engaged the e-brake lifted my foot from it the noise was gone. I pushed the pedal back in to release it and the noise returned. I played with this for a bit and was able to reproduce the effect with the same result every time. I do have some ideas as to where I could start to fix this but rather than going into specifics about my installation figured I would just ask first if anyone else has run into or heard about this problem before?
(I don't think I ever noticed before because I usually will have the car shut off and engage the e-brake as I exit the vehicle)
there arent really any big electrical changes when you release the ebrake.. like there are when u turn on the headlights which sumtimes results in engine noise...
so most likely it sounds like when you push the e brake in its moving sum wires closer to the rcas causing the engine noise.. maybe pinching rcas... or pinching speaker wires... or just moving the rca's closer to a wire that has more interference coming from it...this is the only reasonable explanation i can think of for this..
Yes, my speakers are all amped; 10oWx4. My power runs along passenger side and my signal cables are all running along the driver's side. On the head unit/EQ, nothing other than what it. From the head unit to the speaker wire, nothing on the install is factory. Don't know what else to say about the install that I didn't mention in my first post besides this.
what is your main source of music? The headunit ? or a mp3 player of some sort? If an mp3 player , and your using the aux in, is it being charged while its playing?
Wat effects on the whine does removing 1 of the rca's or even both? does it go away? You can try a ground loop isolator... or try to reground your connections again, sanding the paint off where the ground touches.
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Main source of music is my iPhone connected to the rear of the head unit via usb and it does charge while plugged in. The noise does persist, though, regardless of the input selected as long as the system is on. Removing any of the RCAs will stop the noise, but only in the speaker of the corresponding connection. Noise will continue through other speakers if left plugged in.
I'm not sure if it's an issue but it's worth noting that the head unit to equalizer connection is set up this way: head unit rear output is connected to the (only) input for the equalizer. The head unit's remaining front and subwoofer outputs are currently not being used since the rear output is used and then the equalizer handles the output to the amplifiers for front/rear/sub
Main source of music is my iPhone connected to the rear of the head unit via usb and it does charge while plugged in. The noise does persist, though, regardless of the input selected as long as the system is on. Removing any of the RCAs will stop the noise, but only in the speaker of the corresponding connection. Noise will continue through other speakers if left plugged in.
I'm not sure if it's an issue but it's worth noting that the head unit to equalizer connection is set up this way: head unit rear output is connected to the (only) input for the equalizer. The head unit's remaining front and subwoofer outputs are currently not being used since the rear output is used and then the equalizer handles the output to the amplifiers for front/rear/sub
this leads to even more evidence that it is most likely interference in the rcas... unplug the rcas from the input to the EQ... if the interference still remains it is either sumthign in the EQ or from the EQ to the amps obviously.. I bet your RCAS from the HEADUNIT to the EQ are run too closesly to other wires which is causing the interference... when using an EQ interference is even more prominent... all the engine noise gets amplified at the EQ and than AGAIN at the actual amp... ground loop isolators and stuff are a quick fix which may HELP but really the problem most likely lies in how your RCAS are run... I would run them again...
BEFORE re-running them grab a spare set of rcas and pull ur head unit out.. plug them in and just run them inside your car straight to your EQ wherever it's located... dont run them through the kicks or under the carpet etc... just on top of your seats or whatever just to TEST... if the noise stops than obviously thats your problem.. if it still has noise than run a set from your EQ straight to your amps in the same manner... if it STILL has noise than you need to investigate weak grounds... faulty hardware... or maybe an internal ground blown on the deck itself..
*Also.. depending on your hardware.. sum head units do not like the RCAS to be plugged and unplugged while powered on.. ive seen some units blow internal grounds by doing this causing HORRIBLE engine noise.. do the plugging and unplugged while the unit is off..
Also make sure if you have any SPARE RCA wire that it is not wound up in a coil... this also creates a magnetic field which promotes engine noise..
^ ding ding ding right when i seen that you mentioned you had an EQ I would put my money on that. Like mentioned run your rca's directly from the HU to the amp and see if the problem persists.
^ I wouldnt see that solving it. Will take more time, work, $$ and you always want to keep the ground as short as possible. A good ground should be sufficient.
The noise is still there whether the RCAs are running from HU > Amp or if its HU > EQ > Amps. Only difference is the noise is louder while the EQ is hooked up, which as Rob mentioned is because the signal is amped at the EQ then again at the amps themselves.
I'll have to scoop up a couple more RCAs to run them through the interior of the car to test. I'd rather buy more cables than tear the car apart getting the old ones out. I did try a filter but it just made the sound quality terrible and the noise didn't go away, it just sounded different and more 'hollow'. One thing I did not try was to leave everything as is, but disconnect the EQ from the HU to see if the noise remained. Since the noise does exist whether the EQ is being used or not I imagine it would still be there but it's worth a look anyhow, thanks.
Ultimately I've tried so much of this already but what has me so damn confused is that the noise will go away completely when the e-brake is pushed to its lowest point and engaged. I've really never run into anything this odd before.
Thanks for the replies guys, helps to have someone else assist in the thinking process.. my head's been about to explode for WEEKS
^ I wouldnt see that solving it. Will take more time, work, $$ and you always want to keep the ground as short as possible. A good ground should be sufficient.
Right. I did consider running the ground to the battery but we're talking a 15 or so foot run of cable which I believe is too long for a ground, ideally. I took a look at the rubber cable sleeve going from my door into the door jamb to see if the speaker wire there was cut and touching sheet metal but no luck.. of course it wouldn't be that simple after all this time.
I guess in the end if nothing works I know having the e-brake down all the way makes it stop.. I could just disconnect the brake cable and leave the e-brake pedal locked down permanently.
so most likely it sounds like when you push the e brake in its moving sum wires closer to the rcas causing the engine noise.. maybe pinching rcas... or pinching speaker wires... or just moving the rca's closer to a wire that has more interference coming from it...this is the only reasonable explanation i can think of for this..
Oh I think I missed part of this post.. Yes, that's a good suggestion, maybe when the arm of the brake pedal is being pushed back into the dash it is moving those RCAs up against something causing the interference. I just have one question about this, though; if the cables were being pushed against or away from the source of interference wouldn't the feedback stop or begin abruptly? (It will sometimes)
Many times if I am trying to replicate the issue I will hear the whining cutting in and out (obviously) in addition to some static (for all I know, they could be one and the same), kind of similar to what you'd hear if you rubbed a speaker wire or input cable across something or against itself.
hrm that would drive me crazy too! Im not even sure what it could be anymore. At this point im thinking its the rca wires themself.
What kind of head unit are you running? and what kind of rca's? Are they lower quality ones? try running a new cable through the interior to test and see how that goes. If that doesnt solve it than your going to have the biggest headache
Haha, I've already had the biggest headache! Its a Kenwood Excelon head unit, I don't remember the model. Front and rear channel RCAs are Monster Cables. They are home theater cables, not auto specific so I'm not sure if the wire is wound but they should be shielded anyway. Sub RCA is the nameless that came with my amp wiring kit, but I don't have any problems with my sub, go figure.
Ah well, I got a couple new ideas and at least after all this time I know what part of the car to focus on! Thanks!
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