Electrical problems are not sexy

[68conv4sp]

Unlike cool projects that boost horsepower, handling, etc., my electrical problem is not a fun challenge. Basically, when I turn on my stereo (head unit and amp), engine on or off, there is a clicking/buzzing that comes thru the speakers. Increasing the volume does drown out the noise. I know very little about troubleshooting wiring. Is this the place to ask for help or is there a better place in Stang Net? Thanks for your ideas.

 

[enferno]

could be that you blew a channel on the stereo, or the speakers, or something is fried inside the stereo.

did you fuse it when you installed it? what are you using for speaker wire?

 

[hhead]

could be electrical interference.
http://www.indiacar.com/infobank/car_radio.htm

 

[Route666]

I vote for electrical interferance - you can get a suppressor for the ignition system (or somewhere in the electrics) that gets rid of that.

 

[NasaGT]

He said it happens engine off, so that rules out ignition based electrical interference. Bad ground is the first thing I would check for.

 

[Tim65GT]

enferno
could be that you blew a channel on the stereo, or the speakers, or something is fried inside the stereo.

I tend to agree with enferno. I wouldn't rule out the amp either.

Since the noise goes away with volume, I doubt it's a ground and if it's still present when the engine is off, that eliminates the ignition or charging system.

 

[suki243]

I had a similar problem, it ended up being my head unit, it was older and cheap, but when i hooked a mp3 player up to the amp decent sounding music came out, without static or distortion

 

[BullittStangV8]

Did you run the power wire near a speaker wire?

 

[68conv4sp]

Thanks for the good responses. I spent time looking at it detail last night and, yes, the power wire is run next to a speaker wire. So one of those should be relocated?
As for ensuring good ground, the amp will be easy to check as the wires are easy to find/see. The head unit wires are buried behind it, so I'm not sure how to check 'em without pulling the unit (have not done so before).
Is there electrical noise supression stuff that I should be trying somewhere even if the noise is present with the motor off? Thanks again.

 

[Route666]

He said it happens engine off, so that rules out ignition based electrical interference. Bad ground is the first thing I would check for.

BOH! I should read more betterer.