Currently I am using stock head unit to a PAC line converter. Then it is using StreetWire ZN 3.5 RCA on the driver side to the trunk. Ground is placed to a bolt for the rear strut brace for the amp(Lunar 60X2). Power wire is routed from passanger side. Each speaker(Focal 165V) have their own speaker wires, not using stock. The PAC is NOT grounded. When the AC is not on, there's very little whine, you can hear it if it's very very quiet... there's also a pop but we think it's due to the RCA being close to the fuel pump.

The real issue is when the AC is on, the whine becomes very aduible. Bad ground over all? Ground the PAC? any ideas?

thanks,
-Shing

 

Shingles, what's a PAC?

 

line converter.. takes the signal from your speaker output and converts it so you can use some RCA's. Most amps only take RCA inputs that I am aware of.

-Shing

 

Your set-up sounds exactly like mine:

speaker to line converter under dash
RCA's down the driver's side
power down the passenger side
amp in the back (mine's above fuel tank)

I'm using a rig-job home-made line converter, and when I first installed it, (not grounded) I had disgusting whine with the engine running. I don't remember if the AC was on or not.

But when I grounded the line converter under the dash, 99% of the whine went away. If you stick your head down by the speakers you can hear a little bit of noise, but it's pretty much inaudible from the driver's seat.

Try it, won't hurt. You can also try moving the line converter to the back where the amp is. I thought about trying that on mine to get rid of that last bit of noise, but I keep telling myself I'm going to get an after-market head unit, so why bother. Only, it's been 9 months now and I'm still running the stock head.

 

PAC is a company (Pacific Audio Corp.) in Santa Ana that makes connectors/converters for audio gear like the SWI-3.

David

 

I had the same problem. There seems to be more whine when the ac is on. I am guessing that the extra fan and other AC related stuff put more load on the alternator.

I grounded my PAC and I can no longer hear any whine under any conditions.

 

I grounded the PAC this past weekend and it's helped some. The whine is still there but atleast the level is low and I can almost not hear it.... probably aftermarket head unit is the only way to go....

-shing

 

shingles,

i am about to start my install as soon as pinky gets my wire loom completed. how long are your rca cables going from the head unit, along the drivers side, and above your fuel tank... I am thinking of mounting my amp to the false wall in back of the fuel tank in the trunk...

tkmak

______________
'01 silverstone/black

 

The RCA is pretty long. If I may suggest, try running the RCA on the passanger side. There's a small popping noise you can here at times. The first thing that the installer said before knowing anything about the car's fuel pump location was 'it's a popping noise, sounds like a fuel pump or something like that'. Sure enough fuel pump is closer to driver side than passanger side. I am going to try routing it to pass side or get it away from the fuel pump.

-Shing

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tkmak
[B]shingles,

i am about to start my install as soon as pinky gets my wire loom completed.