Radio Noise and other electrical gremlins

TheEdgeofSanity · 07-07-2009, 12:23 AM

So, my radio sounds fine when I first drive the car and its cold, but after the car has been running for more than 15 minutes, the radio develops an audible ticking that varies with the RPM's of the engine. it gets louder the longer the car has been running. any ideas?

I also have a transmission problem where it shifts funny into 2nd gear. this problem begins right around when the radio starts ticking which could mean the 2 are related?

i'm thinking maybe I have a bad ground somewhere where the car is getting a buildup of electricity that is causing electrical problems?

I also think its important to note that my car gives off a nasty shock when i touch the door upon exiting the vehicle!

so. i need help with this and also would like to know where the major grounding points are on our cars to see if there is any visible corrosion!

Psyfox · 07-07-2009, 01:32 AM

Take care of your big 3...that normally solves any electrical problems (if you don't have an amp/sub that is); it may not be necessary but it should work (plus you're now set up to put an amp and sub in your car

). Other than that...yeah, it sounds like a grounding problem.

TheEdgeofSanity · 07-07-2009, 01:33 AM

its a stock radio. original head unit, speakers, etc.... my car doesn't have the optional amplifier.

PappaSmurf · 07-07-2009, 01:56 AM

It is definitely a bad ground. Have you taken the headunit out and looked at the wiring? If not, DO SO. It maybe just a pinched wire or something else behind the headunit.
I have a sound system in my car and NO need for the big 3. I am running 2 amps, a power cap, and two 12" woofers. I have upgraded the headunit to an aftermarket JVC, replaced the 6x9's with JVC and am awaiting my 4x6's from, you got it, JVC.

I am running at aproximately 1175 watts RMS power in my car (ENOUGH to make it hard to breath, with the windows only half way down). I have NO problems with my sytem or the cars electrical system.

Again, look behind the headunit FIRST. This may resolve all your problems; if not then trace the Ground (Black) wire from the headunit until your hand is invisible. make sure there are absoulutely NO pinches or shavings ANYWHERE on that wire.
Hope this helps, if not...dont be afraid to ask me or Ryan from Ohio as he is indeed a sound system expert as well.
-Smurf-

TheEdgeofSanity · 07-07-2009, 02:01 AM

well for starters, i don't even know how to take my head unit out!

PappaSmurf · 07-07-2009, 02:08 AM

Do you know how to take the trim (plastic piece) around the radio off?

TheEdgeofSanity · 07-07-2009, 02:22 AM

no because i have never had a reason to mess with it.

CactusWill · 07-07-2009, 02:41 AM

Bad ground.

PappaSmurf · 07-07-2009, 02:46 AM

Do you have a butter knife? LOL
Go outside with the butter knife, stick it up under the PRND321 shifter area and SLOWLY pry it up. Then take your hands and pull the other trim part (the Radio trim part) from the opening at the bottom (where you pulled the other part up). SLOWLY work the thing out from side to side. Once you have the radio trim out, you WILL SEE the four 7mm screws holding the stock radio in place, remove these and pull the radio towards you.
Voila and your done with removing the radio.
-Smurf-

Psyfox · 07-07-2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PappaSmurf

Do you have a butter knife? LOL
Go outside with the butter knife, stick it up under the PRND321 shifter area and SLOWLY pry it up. Then take your hands and pull the other trim part (the Radio trim part) from the opening at the bottom (where you pulled the other part up). SLOWLY work the thing out from side to side. Once you have the radio trim out, you WILL SEE the four 7mm screws holding the stock radio in place, remove these and pull the radio towards you.
Voila and your done with removing the radio.
-Smurf-

Thanks for the info Smurf. That actually helps me for putting in footwell lights (which I'm doing in about 4 hours, lol).

TheEdgeofSanity · 07-07-2009, 10:16 PM

thanks! i think i may do this this coming weekend! also, are there any major grounding points in the car that I should check?

AleroDrime · 07-07-2009, 10:29 PM

hmm i dont remember the stock radio being grounded, could be grounded somewhere in the factory harness, you'd have to ask Ryan about this

PappaSmurf · 07-07-2009, 11:26 PM

Teos,
Do NOT listen to alero racing as it obvious that he has NO clue to what he is talking about! EVERY electrical accessory HAS A GROUND. If you put power to something, you also have to ground it.

Anyway back to you TEOS. I am glad that you have the guts to actually try something yourself and have asked resonable questions and taken heed to the information provided. If you have any other problems or questions. I have provided my cell number in a PM to you in your inbox.
-Smurf-

TheEdgeofSanity · 07-08-2009, 12:10 AM

pappa smurf, a new development. there is no ticking when I use my CD player or cassette player. yet, when I switch back to radio, the ticking resumes. any ideas? sorry for the curve ball...

PappaSmurf · 07-08-2009, 12:15 AM

The ticking might be from the antenna if it isnt apparent when using the CD or cassette. I would still check the ground because you are getting an electrical shock upon exiting the vehicle, NOT a good thing. LOL
-Smurf-

wrestlingandrunning · 07-08-2009, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheEdgeofSanity

pappa smurf, a new development. there is no ticking when I use my CD player or cassette player. yet, when I switch back to radio, the ticking resumes. any ideas? sorry for the curve ball...

in the rear passenger side pillar when you take it off you will see a little blackbox where your antenna and rear defrost are in one unit try replacing that too but also check your ground

zzyzzx · 07-08-2009, 10:21 AM

Exactly which type of Gremlin are we talking about here:

AleroDrime · 07-09-2009, 03:00 AM

the first