White Noise from Speakers after Amp install

[tech4hire]

I bought the T harness and basically the entire kit save for the Kicker 200.4 Key amp which I bought locally. Everything sounds great except when the stereo is off. There is a noticeable amount of white noise coming from the speakers. The amp has the gain set to zero and I can still hear it. Obviously it gets louder as the gain is increased. I never had this issue before and I am kinda stumped. I tried multiple dip switches, checked and re-checked my connections, no white noise coming from my sub, just the speakers hooked up to the kicker amp.

If I pull the speaker connections from the amp by way of the harness all white noise stops. If I remove the T harness, bypassing the amp and wiring no noise. I know the issue has something to do with the amp or wiring I just have no idea what to do.

Sponsored

 

[Ryom]

Sounds like you might have created a ground loop. Are you able to bolt to a factory grounding location from your amp? If you already did you could try a ground loop isolator and see if that helps.

https://soundcertified.com/what-is-a-ground-loop-isolator/

Maybe someone will pop in with a better idea as well. Good luck!

 

[tech4hire]

Sounds like you might have created a ground loop. Are you able to bolt to a factory grounding location from your amp? If you already did you could try a ground loop isolator and see if that helps.

https://soundcertified.com/what-is-a-ground-loop-isolator/

Maybe someone will pop in with a better idea as well. Good luck!

I used a grounding location just behind the glove box on the right hand side. I will try finding a different ground and seeing if that works.

 

[Carlitos_92]

I used a grounding location just behind the glove box on the right hand side. I will try finding a different ground and seeing if that works.

I have a Key 200.4 behind the glovebox and probably used the same point you are referring to. Zero issues here.

Did you run a 12VDC+ remote turn-on, or rely on the Kicker’s “auto-detect?”

Is the harness the PAC one, or something else?

 

[CurtisB]

Sounds like you might have created a ground loop. Are you able to bolt to a factory grounding location from your amp? If you already did you could try a ground loop isolator and see if that helps.

https://soundcertified.com/what-is-a-ground-loop-isolator/

Maybe someone will pop in with a better idea as well. Good luck!

I agree with Ryom. It's a ground issue. Your going to have to either make an additional ground or get a loop isolator.

 

[Ryom]

I used a grounding location just behind the glove box on the right hand side. I will try finding a different ground and seeing if that works.

Ideally you'd bolt to the same grounding point as the factory audio system does, but that's not always possible... and I'm not certain where it actually is without looking into it further.

 

[tech4hire]

I have a Key 200.4 behind the glovebox and probably used the same point you are referring to. Zero issues here.

Did you run a 12VDC+ remote turn-on, or rely on the Kicker’s “auto-detect?”

Is the harness the PAC one, or something else?

I’m using the kicker to auto detect.

 

[Carlitos_92]

I’m using the kicker to auto detect.

I would recommend running the remote signal from a fuse tap instead. These trucks will make enough beeps and bloops and static pops randomly, even when not running, that auto detect will fire up that amp.

 

[tech4hire]

I would recommend running the remote signal from a fuse tap instead. These trucks will make enough beeps and bloops and static pops randomly, even when not running, that auto detect will fire up that amp.

How would that affect the signal noise?

 

[tech4hire]

Ideally you'd bolt to the same grounding point as the factory audio system does, but that's not always possible... and I'm not certain where it actually is without looking into it further.

the wiring harness doesn’t have an additional ground it just pulls from the chassis harness. The only ground I have is for the Kicker sub input, but again that isn’t making any noise. It’s the speakers connected to the kicker amplifier

 

[Carlitos_92]

How would that affect the signal noise?

Just trying to rule things out, even if their impact is unlikely.

Were you saying your Key 200.4’s ground is connected to the T-harness?

 

[tech4hire]

the wiring harness doesn’t have an additional ground it just pulls from the chassis harness. The only ground I have is for the Kicker sub input, but again that isn’t making any noise. It’s the speakers connected to the kicker amplifier

Correction. I just looked at the wiring and I do have a ground that comes off the amp. It is connected to the same location in the glove box. That appears to be the only good grounding spot

 

[scharris99]

I disagree with the ground issue. I'd bet $20 that it's the amp staying on because the automatic sense isn't working properly. I'd connect the remote turn on.

 

[Cancunbadlands]

I agree with OP. It's a ground issue.

 

[Ryom]

There shouldn't be noticeable white noise regardless, so there's more going on than just the lead.

Sponsored