Radio interference
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Sparta Kentucky
Radio interference
I’m sure this has been asked many times but I have a 73 Corvette convertible have a replacement radio and do not have any shielding around the distributor
Is there anyway I can get rid of the whining sound coming out of the radio when the engine is on I don’t have that problem when the car is not running
Is there anyway I can get rid of the whining sound coming out of the radio when the engine is on I don’t have that problem when the car is not running
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,953
Likes: 4,508
From: Virginia
Side pipes. They also solve the problem of the whining sound in the passenger seat.
But seriously, can you post a picture of what you have? I was under the impression that the distributor shielding was just for AM radio interference.
My 79 (which does NOT have side pipes, but does have an aftermarket radio) sounds great, but I only play music from a USB stick, or bluetooth from the phone. No chance for for interference that way. I don't hard-wire a phone aux cable while charging the phone (that can cause issues), and I don't listen to the radio.
Perhaps it is a simple ground loop, or power input issue in your radio?
But seriously, can you post a picture of what you have? I was under the impression that the distributor shielding was just for AM radio interference.
My 79 (which does NOT have side pipes, but does have an aftermarket radio) sounds great, but I only play music from a USB stick, or bluetooth from the phone. No chance for for interference that way. I don't hard-wire a phone aux cable while charging the phone (that can cause issues), and I don't listen to the radio.
Perhaps it is a simple ground loop, or power input issue in your radio?
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Sparta Kentucky
Side pipes. They also solve the problem of the whining sound in the passenger seat.
But seriously, can you post a picture of what you have? I was under the impression that the distributor shielding was just for AM radio interference.
My 79 (which does NOT have side pipes, but does have an aftermarket radio) sounds great, but I only play music from a USB stick, or bluetooth from the phone. No chance for for interference that way. I don't hard-wire a phone aux cable while charging the phone (that can cause issues), and I don't listen to the radio.
Perhaps it is a simple ground loop, or power input issue in your radio?
But seriously, can you post a picture of what you have? I was under the impression that the distributor shielding was just for AM radio interference.
My 79 (which does NOT have side pipes, but does have an aftermarket radio) sounds great, but I only play music from a USB stick, or bluetooth from the phone. No chance for for interference that way. I don't hard-wire a phone aux cable while charging the phone (that can cause issues), and I don't listen to the radio.
Perhaps it is a simple ground loop, or power input issue in your radio?
Actually I do have Side pipes
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 352
Likes: 42
I learned this lesson way back in the CB days of the 70s. What you are hearing is alternator whine, it comes in on the power line to the radio. You need a power line filter like this one:
10 amps is plenty for a stock radio.
10 amps is plenty for a stock radio.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,877
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
The OEM wiring for the vette is dirty. The alternator whine ( changes frequency when engine RPM changes) is best solved by running the constant power and ground to the battery- as that will work way better than any filter.
You aftermarket radio will need a constant power ( standardized as yellow for the past 20 years ) and a switched power (standardized as red) and a good ground.
So the yellow wire from the aftermarket radio goes to the battery - fuse with a 15 A fuse and run 14GA . Run the ground to there as well- as the OEM ground is convoluted at best.
The red switched (ignition wire) will got to the Vette's yellow wire (on the three conductor plug going to the OEM radio)-make sure to cap off the gray illumination wire and no worries about the black wire.
Richard
You aftermarket radio will need a constant power ( standardized as yellow for the past 20 years ) and a switched power (standardized as red) and a good ground.
So the yellow wire from the aftermarket radio goes to the battery - fuse with a 15 A fuse and run 14GA . Run the ground to there as well- as the OEM ground is convoluted at best.
The red switched (ignition wire) will got to the Vette's yellow wire (on the three conductor plug going to the OEM radio)-make sure to cap off the gray illumination wire and no worries about the black wire.
Richard
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski