Sudden major increase in radio static

[rever]

Hi guys,

For ages the radio had been superb quality without a single db of static. However recently ive had a major increase in the amount of static coming through, any ideas how to rectify this? Could the cabling into the headunit be a little loose?

Cheers,
Nate

[teK--]

Have you had the windows tinted recently? They could have damaged the antenna in your rear windscreen.

[LibertyGT2]

Have you added anything new to the electrics of the car? A GPS or mobile/ipod charger maybe?

[rever]

I had the windows tinted years ago. I have had some audio work done to my car, could the connections directly going into the head unit cause static?

[garbo41610]

yes they certainly could... maybe take out the head unit and take a look at the connections. something maybe shorting out, the antenna cable might not be plugged back in correctly, the ground may not be making a good connection to the body.

a list of gear you have installed would help.

what work did you have done???

[rever]

I posted in the How Do I section because im not quiet sure how to take out my headunit. Also, im assuming to check the ground cable i meerly need to take out the mat of the boot? If so, how should the earth cable look?

[garbo41610]

the earth cable should be soldered onto a lug of some description bolted to the chassis and making connection to bare metal (i.e. paint sanded right back)

couldn't tell you where to look for your earthing. what did you have installed? amps? subs? where did you have them installed, boot? under seat? did you have a head unit installed? do you have any pics of the install?

here is a "how to" remove the HU viewtopic.php?t=1459&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

should be the same for most models I would assume... if not, post a pic of your dash for us to take a look at... I found a thread on a forum somewhere of how to remove from the 2.5 but can't seem to find it again but it was a pretty similar process as the GT McIntosh HU from memory

*EDIT* sorry, the thread i am talking about was to remove the head unit from a 2006 impreza haha. sorry... pics and a list of equipment installed is still needed mate.

need more info mate and pics would help too

[rever]

I had an amp, sub and speakers installed. Amp was installed in the boot. As he switched over connections in the speakers i know he switched connection in the headunit so there was definately work done on the headunit.

[garbo41610]

was the amp that was installed to run speakers as well or just the subs??? there should be a earth somewhere in the boot for the amp/s i would say. Take a look and see what it looks like and take some pics if possible. there may be some copper strands from the speakers touching the earth input maybe. does it sound like the static is coming through the speakers or the subs??? do you have model numbers for the gear that was installed??? you might need to take the car back for them to have another look at it, static is not something to be happy about. if it was a reputable installer they won't mind you bringing it back for them to take a look at it.

also, the power wires and the RCA's may be run too close together although this doesn't necessarily induce static, more of a whine that increases with the revs of the engine.

[garbo41610]

is this what your dash looks like???

http://www.cargurus.com/images/2009/08/ ... 17565.jpeg

[Posseltperformance]

I've heard Crap Spark plug leads can interfere with radio frequencies - not sure if there is any truth in that but might be worth replacing them?

[garbo41610]

yeah they can but i would suggest the normal methods of trouble shooting first. but, in my experience with car audio, the weirdest problem is usually the culprit.

i'd check all connections in the following order:
head unit: check all plugs and RCA connections
antennae: at head unit and wherever it connects to the body.
amps: check RCA connections
grounds: make sure connections are touching bare metal at the amps and in the engine bay
speakers: make sure there are good connections at the speakers and at the amp
cable run: make sure that the power cables and the RCA/signal cables are going down opposite sides of the car or at least with sufficient segregation.

Then once all these have been checked i'd look into the spark plug leads. however, this usually sounds like spark plugs firing through the stereo so it is a pretty obvious noise as it should increase and decrease with the motor, kind of like when power and signal cables are run too close together you get the alt. whine through the stereo that increases and decreases with the engine revs.

just my 6cents

[BE4ORE]

Hey guys, I got a B4 and I'm facing the same dilemma

A few days ago I got a pioneer double din unit that I just installed in my car, everything went well till I tested the unit and started getting whine / static noises through the speakers.

Has anyone fixed this? I know there's something needs to be done with the Macintosh system to isolate the noise but don't know what...

Please help urgently guys.

[cvas]

Is your phone plugged in or charging while you hear the static?

Or it could be a ground loop?