hummmm

[Remnant]

I've looked around and done a number of searches on this question and can't find the answer explicitly so I would appreciate any help-

I drive a 2000 Camero with the factory monsoon system-

I have a kicker 280w x2 amp with two kicker 10's. I have them in a nice box that fits comfortably in the t-top holder portion of the trunk or even up on the ledge for when I have my t's off.

Im patching off of my right speaker, and I'm grounded to a bolt that is in the frame above the right rear tire-well.

I can thump with these two 10's really loud, but of course I'm not too happy with the range (for example, can't hit the low bass beat in "I like the way you move" by Outkast).

My problem, though, is a humm that can be overwhelming, especially when the bass isn't thumping (so when the volume is lower or off, or on songs without major bass).

Im 99% sure it is tied to the idle somehow and here is why- when I turn on JUST the battery and the subs come on, they are crystal clear, loud and good. Once I turn my engine on I begin to get major interferance- and the worst is when Im at a stop light- so long as my engine is reving its not terrible (but still noticable).

But I have NO clue how to fix the problem! I spent a lot of money on this stuff (a lot being relative to me) and the amount I would lose by giving up and taking the speakers all back is more than I can happily bear.

Please help me [img]smile.gif[/img]

Thanks

[CAMAROWIDBASS]

where is your amp grounded?

Did you sand the spot to the bare metal to where the amp/s are mounted?

What side did you run your RCA's and power wire?

[Remnant]

I don't have rca's running- Im tapping into the back right speaker-

and my amp is grounded too a bare bolt thats bolted into the frame above the rear right tire well (and held their by duct tape, honestly)

my power is running down the right side as well, from the battery-

the power and ground never cross- the tapped wires from my 6x9 to my amp crosses, at a 90 degree angle my ground, but I have that area wrapped in tin foil and sheilded (which definitly reduced the buzz).

But I get NO buzz when the engine isn't on. The subs are crystal then.

I cleaned up the wiring and that helped a bit but not to my satisfaction :S

Thanks

[CAMAROWIDBASS]

if your ground is held on my tape, then the problem is definately your ground man.

The ground has to be the same size gauge as the power and it needs to be securely fitted to a bolt/screw somewhere onto the car and not by tape.

Im guessing you have the factory radio?

[nda0602v6]

Originally posted by Remnant:

and my amp is grounded too a bare bolt thats bolted into the frame above the rear right tire well (and held their by duct tape, honestly)

:eek: :eek: :eek:


Do exactly like Camarowidbass suggested, make sure that ground wire is "SECURE." Use the actual bolt to hold the wire, not tape.

[Remnant]

yeah- I get that I need to bolt it down- its just that I don't have any massive powertools to drill, and I wouldn't drill in the first place cause I'm sure I'd end up putting a hole in my gas tank or something-

I just can't get into the tiny workspace where I have the ground- But even when I hold it there myself, securly (basically the ground is on a bolt comming off of the frame- the tape is being used on the plastic part of the wire to hold the ground over the bolt- so I don't just have the ground wire splayed over the frame somewhere and tapped down or anything stupid like that- Im not that good with this stuff but I'm not that dumb either)

But if I go and by a nut to screw onto the bolt there you guys really think that will stop the hum?

I appreciate the help, but I am a bit doubtful since even when I hold it in place PERFECTLY (as if there was a nut holding it tightly to the bolt) I still get the hum. But for safty sake I'll do this anyway.

If this doesn't work, does anyone have any other ideas?

I really appreciate this.

[Remnant]

and yes, factory monsoon head unit (I've already bought two new 6's for fill in the middle so one day I'll buy the 4 more speakers *2 6x9's and 2 front 6's) and get a new head unit- its just such a friken hassle to change all that at once)

[CAMAROWIDBASS]

yes i think if you go and bolt or screw the ground down it will stop the noise.

Be lucky your amp still works, having a bad ground can make the amp mess up.

And make sure you sand the area down to the bare metal!

[nda0602v6]

you mentioned you're only tapping into (one) speaker, which feeds signal to the Kicker Amp high-level input. The high-level input on the Kicker amp should have 4-wires (two for the left and two for the right). Try tapping the high-level inputs into (two) speakers; left and right.

Also, try grounding on the Driver's side somewhere. That huge bolt you're talking about located on top of the wheel well is probably what holds down the rear seatbelt mechanism. If you do drill, don't drill anywhere up top of hatch area since that's where the gas tank is. On my 94 Firebird, I drilled a 1/4" hole wayyyyy in the bottom well of the hatch...in that small cubby hole located on the driver's side. Then I used a 1/4" bolt to hold it down.

[Remnant]

I wish I had a digital camera :D

No, I'm not grounding into the seatbelt mounter or whathaveyou- its actually farther back, behind the spare tire to be specific. I can't see that it actually has any function :D .

I suppose I could tap into both speakers and just get a little extra speaker wire, but I will try grounding it better first. Thanks though!

And I want to repeat that its not like I'm precariously grounded or anything- The ground wire is attached to an o-clamp, which is tightly spun into place over a bolt which is bolted into the car-the tape is being used lower, on the plastic protector part of the cable, to make sure for SOME WEIRD REASON the o-clamp doesn't wiggle itself off the bolt. A nut would do this particular job better, but I hadn't gone and gotten one yet because the buzz has been going on for near 2 weeks.

when you say "sand down", what does that mean? I mean I know what it MEANS, but since I'm on a non painted bolt going directly into the frame, do I still need to sand down the metal around the bolt?

Thanks

[CAMAROWIDBASS]

yes sand the metal around the bolt and under the bolt if you can.

How long is your ground cable? Typically you have to try to keep is as short as possible less than 18''

[96firebird311]

Try grounding the amp to a new point. Maybe just a quick try out to see if there is any difference.

One thing that has not been mentioned yet.... always find a new grounding point for the headunit. Even with the stock unit. Extend the ground wire as long as you need to ground it directly to chassis.