White noise when radio is on

[anak1n]

Hello, I'm new to this forum (glad I found it). I started installing car stereos when I was a teenager (25 now) and I am just baffled on what to do. So, I have a 1996 Toyota Celica, and I replaced the stock stereo with an aftermarket as one of the first things I did.

I got everything good to go, wires running through the car for the amp and subwoofers (two 12" Alpine Type R ) but the problem is that I have this weird sound, it's almost a white noise, whenever the stereo is on. Now, the first thing I thought was this was a grounding issue so I regrounded and the problem was still there. So, I take it into a place to get it checked out to see what the guy said, and he basically told me the stereo unit I chose wasn't good and that I should buy a new one from them for like $200, and I said that I wasn't going to do that, so they regrounded it for me (that's what they thought it was too) and redid some wires more efficiently, I guess. But, the problem is still there.

So, all I know about the car from the owner before I had it was that he installed an aftermarket amp somewhere to power the new aftermarket speakers, but I can't find it? I found an amp, but it looks like the factory amp, but it might not be. Anyway, my question is (after the long rant I apologize), if it's not a grounding issue what could this be? Should I get a new stereo (Using a JVC KD-R540), or can this be remedied without having to do that? The way the guy at the audio place explained it to me was that there wasn't enough wires or something for the radio, I can't remember exactly what he said because I went and saw them about 2 years ago (had some issues and couldn't drive, but those are resolved and I'm driving again). I really don't want to take it in if I don't have to, because I'm pretty confident with some direction I can fix the issue. Another thing that might be worth mentioning is that the tweeters the guy before me installed work with the stock stereo, but not with the aftermarket.

I can clarify anything if need be, I'm just at a loss here and trying to figure it all out by myself has given me a headache. I'd ask the guy I bought the car from, but I've long since moved states and don't have his information anymore.

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[Papermaker85 5,000+ posts]

alot of aftermarket CD players have a low sensitivity to radio transmissions. this is typically becasue they have a much higher SN ratio and channel separation they do this to give a cleaner output signal over catching a ton of channels..

HD RX8 Radio FM Am Signal Amp Amplifier Booster for Car Stereo Receiver Antenna | eBay

the cheap units dont work. this unit works much better than a stand alone resistive antenna. its a small op amp to boost input sensitivity basically.

 

[anak1n]

Okay, so you think it is for sure the radio? The sound happens whether I'm listening to radio, iPod, CD, etc. I have no problem spending a little money to remedy the issue if you think that is what it is.

 

[Papermaker85 5,000+ posts]

Oh. It's in all sorces.. Humm is it from the cd players actual amplifier or the preamp outputs?

 

[anak1n]

Went to sleep, sorry! See, that's what I'm not sure of. The thing is that this noise, buzzing, white noise, happens just when the stereo is on with all sources like I said, but it's always present. If the volume is at 0 you can still hear this weird noise. Which does that sound to you? I think it may actually be preamp, personally.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Grounds. Check Head Unit grounds first

 

[Papermaker85 5,000+ posts]

Chechnya your ground but it sounds like a internal problem..

 

[anak1n]

The grounding has been checked and double checked by multiple people, I'm not saying it's not the ground but it just seems that after being checked by 'professionals' and them even redoing the ground, it is possibly something else. I'll check it again, but anything else I should look out for?

 

[anak1n]

Okay, I went to look at the stereos wiring, ground is fine, but I did notice that there was like 4 wires that weren't connected to anything (though, I don't remember this being a thing?) they've been cut as they are shorter than the others, but the colors all match up with the negative of the each of the speakers. I'm pretty sure now, that's the issue. The wire harness that connects to the factory plug in does not have these corresponding wires (I don't know why?), so I feel like I'll have to replace that as soon as possible. Anyway, could this be the issue? If I turn the volume all the way down the noise is still there, if I turn it all the way up it's slightly louder, and it's coming from all the speakers.

 

[Kiva713]

I'm having the exact same issue from my 02 Celica gt. Does it increase in volume with the engine while driving as well? I'm wondering if it's possibly the alternator.