Thread: help installing new head unit (with video)updated

hey guys, I recently installed a pioneer head unit in my gp. However I am getting really bad static out of all the speakers now. The system runs good with loud bass but when you turn down the volume you can really hear the static. Any ideas? The static stays the same volume and is on with the radio or the ipod hooked up?!

Also regarding another issue..I am trying to install a pak module to retain wheel controls. I have the adapter for the chimes but now when I go to install the pac module, can the green wire that I need to connect to pin A7 go right at the stock radio harness? Also it says to connect pin A6 to a switched 12v source so does this mean I cut the wire from pin A6??

Pleae help..audio on these cars is horrible to work with!

UPDATE: video radio buzzing after pioneer head unit install - YouTube

How well is your radio grounded? It sounds like your picking up electrical noise. Usually ground related. Also make sure you car's grounds are tight and free of corrosion. Check out the "Big 3" upgrade.

As for the wires that need to go to a switched 12v just tap into a switched 12v source. Don't cut factory wires. Splice with a vampire tap / posi tap if you have to.

Originally Posted by rynoman03

How well is your radio grounded? It sounds like your picking up electrical noise. Usually ground related. Also make sure you car's grounds are tight and free of corrosion. Check out the "Big 3" upgrade.

As for the wires that need to go to a switched 12v just tap into a switched 12v source. Don't cut factory wires. Splice with a vampire tap / posi tap if you have to.

Thanks.. Also the static was never there with stock head unit so not sure what it could be. The amp the subs go to are grounded well. Never had an issue with the amp. Just as soon as I install an aftermarket HU, I get a ton of static.

update...buzzing sounds get higher pitched as I accerlerate, not louder, higher pitched? All sounds turn off once I turn off the head unit. I am also getting a little thump from the subs as I turn on the radio to use the ipod or radio..along with loud buzzes.. Any thoughts??

You might need a ground loop isolator for your rca's or inputs. You can also ground the radio with a separate ground vs using the stock harness ground or use both.

Check this out...

PAC SNI-1 RCA Ground Loop Noise Isolator - Reviews at Crutchfield.com

http://www.amazon.com/Stinger-SGN20-.../ref=pd_cp_e_0

As for the ipod it probably wouldn't hurt to use one of these unless your headunit controls your ipod.

http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PLGI38RI-.../dp/B004HJ35RK

Originally Posted by rynoman03

You might need a ground loop isolator for your rca's or inputs. You can also ground the radio with a separate ground vs using the stock harness ground or use both.

Check this out...

PAC SNI-1 RCA Ground Loop Noise Isolator - Reviews at Crutchfield.com

Amazon.com: Stinger SGN20 Ground Loop Isolator: Car Electronics

As for the ipod it probably wouldn't hurt to use one of these unless your headunit controls your ipod.

http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PLGI38RI-.../dp/B004HJ35RK

I have looked into this stuff. Im thinking I need a different noise filter not the one that goes through the amp because I am only getting bad static from the speakers. The only thing I have hooked up to my aftermarket amp is my 2 subs.

Try running a separate ground for your radio and report back. Also take a quick look at the grounds from your bat to your frame / chassis.

Originally Posted by rynoman03

Try running a separate ground for your radio and report back. Also take a quick look at the grounds from your bat to your frame / chassis.

going to try to trouble shoot on saturday..

I know pioneer head units have an internal fuse that is on the ground for the RCA's and a lot of times it is blown due to issues during installation. I know this is true for the RCA's but I don't know, if it was blown, and you were running on the head unit, if it would ruin the ground on the internal amplifiers input. May be worth separately grounding your RCA cables as well. Its obviously a ground issue, hence you were describing alternator whine (the higher pitch when you accelerate) tone. Gotta check your grounds! and take a look at the solution I presented.

You read this sticky, right? Because it's at the top of the forum page. It's super helpful.

http://www.grandprixforums.net/feedb...ems-17284.html

Originally Posted by SlowNA06

You read this sticky, right? Because it's at the top of the forum page. It's super helpful.

http://www.grandprixforums.net/feedb...ems-17284.html

I did read this. I cant do this suggestion because my RCAs come off of a harness from the head unit (in other words there is a little harness plugged into the deck and then all the RCAs after hence cannot ground them like that)

will trouble shoot saturday

Originally Posted by des19

I did read this. I cant do this suggestion because my RCAs come off of a harness from the head unit (in other words there is a little harness plugged into the deck and then all the RCAs after hence cannot ground them like that)

will trouble shoot saturday

My pioneer head unit is wired just as yours is, and you can still do the grounding with your RCS's. Inside of your head unit, all of the grounds are wiring together, so if you have ground one, you have grounded them all. So, this still leaves you with the issue of running a wire to the dongle with all of your RCA outs. Just ground your RCA's on the other end of the wire, against your amplifier. Smoosh a small gauge wire in-between the ground on the RCA and receptacle for your amplifier. Like I said before, just ground one of them and your entire system is grounded. Hope this helps.

Probably a last resort but are your spark plug wires in good shape? I've read some cheaper brands can cause alot of radio interference and static..

Originally Posted by chamilton89

My pioneer head unit is wired just as yours is, and you can still do the grounding with your RCS's. Inside of your head unit, all of the grounds are wiring together, so if you have ground one, you have grounded them all. So, this still leaves you with the issue of running a wire to the dongle with all of your RCA outs. Just ground your RCA's on the other end of the wire, against your amplifier. Smoosh a small gauge wire in-between the ground on the RCA and receptacle for your amplifier. Like I said before, just ground one of them and your entire system is grounded. Hope this helps.

this seems a bit confusing to me. My amp is in the trunk where as all the rcas are in the front at the deck can you please specify what to do? Thanks

Originally Posted by des19

this seems a bit confusing to me. My amp is in the trunk where as all the rcas are in the front at the deck can you please specify what to do? Thanks

Your problem is coming from the non amplified speakers. You wont need to do this. As others said, check your HU's ground. If it didnt happen with the stock unit, then your issue is either a noisy HU or you have a weak connection at your ground wire on the HU. A real quick test, just run your own ground wire, connect it and see if the alt noise goes away. If it doesnt, plug your stock HU back in and if it's gone, your new HU has problems.

Originally Posted by logan809

Probably a last resort but are your spark plug wires in good shape? I've read some cheaper brands can cause alot of radio interference and static..

If that were the case, you'd run into the same issue with the stock unit.

Originally Posted by KeithGTP03

Your problem is coming from the non amplified speakers. You wont need to do this. As others said, check your HU's ground. If it didnt happen with the stock unit, then your issue is either a noisy HU or you have a weak connection at your ground wire on the HU. A real quick test, just run your own ground wire, connect it and see if the alt noise goes away. If it doesnt, plug your stock HU back in and if it's gone, your new HU has problems.



If that were the case, you'd run into the same issue with the stock unit.

Guess that's true

UPDATE:

today I tried checking all the grounds, rewired the entire head unit, tried rerouting rcas from amp in back, also disconected previous LOC that was using and nothing! Still getting a lot of buzzing and alternator whineing (goes higher pitch when you rev). Im thinking my last option is to try some kind of noise filter. Now I have 3 rca outs for the speakers would I have to filter them all? Any suggestions would be good. Have been trying to solve this problem for a week now.

Note: (never had any problems with stock HU)

Are you running an amp for your mids and highs? If not, there is no need to filter preouts that are not being used. Since you've checked the grounds, the last thing I would check is your sub amp. Remove the rca's from the amp and see if noise goes away. You may be getting a feedback usually caused by the rca's ran next to a power line. If the noise remains, return the HU.

Originally Posted by KeithGTP03

Are you running an amp for your mids and highs? If not, there is no need to filter preouts that are not being used. Since you've checked the grounds, the last thing I would check is your sub amp. Remove the rca's from the amp and see if noise goes away. You may be getting a feedback usually caused by the rca's ran next to a power line. If the noise remains, return the HU.

I have the monsoon system so it comes with a factory amp for all the speakers, but the speakers are connected with rcas at the front with the deck.

updated video radio buzzing after pioneer head unit install - YouTube