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Humming noise - Alpine HU

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Old Dec 1, 2015 | 03:12 PM
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Default Humming noise - Alpine HU

I've got an aftermarket Alpine HU in my C6, and there's a low pitched humming noise that just won't go away. Not even when I turn the HU off. I've been reading and keep running across " ground issue ". I really don't want to have to start taking things apart to get this figured out unless I absolutely have to. Is there something that I can check before having to pull the unit out?

For reference the car is a 2006 C6 Vert
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Old Dec 2, 2015 | 11:36 AM
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If there is any metal on your HU you can get to without pulling it, you can try touching one end of a wire to it, while the other end is touched to the shield part of your 12V power port. If it changes the humming, that would indicate a chassis ground problem.

Typically, humming noises can be caused by poorly shielded or loosely connected audio wires between the HU and the amp or speakers. That would be my first guess.

Last edited by bobeast; Dec 2, 2015 at 11:38 AM.
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Old Dec 2, 2015 | 01:04 PM
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Sounds like you might need a ground loop isolator
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Old Dec 2, 2015 | 01:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Homer3D
Sounds like you might need a ground loop isolator
Could you please elaborate on what this is and what one would do with one of these lol

As you can tell I'm completely clueless when it comes audio/electronics
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Old Dec 2, 2015 | 02:04 PM
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground...electricity%29

Basically, it is a hum that comes out of the car speakers that is a result of a grounding issue. Sometimes the hum will change pitch depending on the RPM of your car. Low hum at idle, higher hum at acceleration.

You can install ground loop isolator that will suppress the humming. You can usually pick one up for about $10-$30.
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Old Dec 3, 2015 | 10:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Homer3D
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground...electricity%29

Basically, it is a hum that comes out of the car speakers that is a result of a grounding issue. Sometimes the hum will change pitch depending on the RPM of your car. Low hum at idle, higher hum at acceleration.

You can install ground loop isolator that will suppress the humming. You can usually pick one up for about $10-$30.
Any diagrams available explaining how one would install this? Seems simple enough judging by the connections, just want to be certain.
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Old Dec 3, 2015 | 11:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Speednlux
Any diagrams available explaining how one would install this? Seems simple enough judging by the connections, just want to be certain.
It just connects in-line with your RCA cables.

Before:
HU ---> RCA lines ---> Amp

After:
HU ---> RCA lines ---> Ground loop isolator ---> Amp
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Old Dec 3, 2015 | 02:49 PM
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Do you have an aftermarket amp and speakers installed?

Is OnStar functional?

Do you know what interface adapter is installed?

It could just be an adjustment on the interface, or the interface itself may be bad.

GLI's may work if you're using the RCA outputs of the HU, but it could be something else.
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