Infinity Reference 7541a installed... Now this...

[brownersd]

Hello all,

I had an Infinity Reference 7541A put in last night by the folks at yours and mine truly, Best Buy. The guy did an excellent job, but I notice 2 things...

1) He set the input level at about 1/2, and I got a LOT of some kind of noise. It's funny, because if the engine is in ACC, it doesn't make it, but if it's in Run, it makes a hum. In addition, there is faint alternator noise. I turned the input levels down all the way and it stopped, but doesn't that defeat the purpose?

2) My stock radio's lighting is always bright now. Could he have attached something to the "Dimming" wire. Which one is this, pray tell, on the wire harness?

Thanks in advance

 

[nserpa9248]

the noise seems to be engine noise...to test this

turn the volume down (so all you hear is the noise)

rev the engine, if it increases with the speed of the engine...its alternator whine..and the installer probably ran the RCA'S and the remote turn on and/or the power wire down the same side..

If he ran the power and signal sepratley, then it could be some power wire in the car doing the same.

As far as the radio brightness, have the installer take a look at it, if you still have the factory radio..he may have accidentally cut the dimmer wire or something..


Oh also, did he use the amplifier high-level in (if equipped) or did you have line-output converters?

 

[brownersd]

Makes total sense. So I did notice that all of the wires are in one bundle. Now I do have engine noise if the input level is raised, but even when the engine is stopped, but the ignition is at the On position, I have the hum. I have the alternator noise above this, if the engine is running. If I have the input level at bare minimum, then neither noise exists.

I have hi-level inputs on the amp, but he went the route of the Line Level (RCA's) Is that a good thing? So, I should take it back to him for him to separate the wiring? In regards to from an installers perspective, how would you feel if a client came back to you with something like this?

Also, in regards to cutting the dimmer wire, do you know which one this is on the harness? (colour)?

Thanks so much in advance, mate!

 

[nserpa9248]

using RCA'S are fine...

It is ok for you to go to him (or her) and see what they can do about the noise...

It is usually something that isnt easily solved, however, make sure they can prove that the power, and the RCA's, and remote turn on cables are not run down the same side of the vehicle (if they are, feel free to be upset with them doing it the "easy" way and not the "right" way"

If they did, then wire managment where the amp is located, making sure power and signal dont cross is critical..

If the alternator noise (the noise increasing with RMPS) is fixed, but you still have a humm (probably a ground loop) have them ground the radio at the same point as the amplifiers (running a 18/16ga wire from the radio to the grounding point)...this may also not fix the problem, since the factory radios' metal housing, which is screwed to the metal brackets, which is bolted to the metal frame of the car, will also ground the car...

Try it one step at a time..ill get the dimmer color for you in an hour or two..

 

[brownersd]

Hey mate!

I kind of took everything apart without disconnecting everything last night, and I do see that the wires are run together, as well as the signal and power are also right next to and touching the positive wire. That makes complete sense. Thanks for the heads up.

About the dimmer wire, I would sure appreciate it.

Thanks again for your help mate!

Cheers,

 

[brownersd]

Ok mates, figured out where the noise is coming from. The ground is good, although I went ahead and re-did it because I wanted to make sure. When I remove the "EFI" fuse when the ignition is on but not started, the noise goes away. I'm thinking it's the fuel pump that's contributing that noise. Any way of getting rid of it?

Cheers,

 

[nserpa9248]

hmmmm....thats a new way to get rid of noise...

i would check to see if the power lines for the fuel pump are running next to your signal cables, they could do the same thing as the power wire are doing.

 

[brownersd]

Splendid! Thank you so much mate for your help! I appreciate it greatly. Also the dimmer wire, I opened up the dash and saw that the pink/black stripe wire was cut. So I'm assuming that this is the one. I'm going out to play with it a bit more.

Cheers,

 

[tomhaney1]

Splendid! Thank you so much mate for your help! I appreciate it greatly. Also the dimmer wire, I opened up the dash and saw that the pink/black stripe wire was cut. So I'm assuming that this is the one. I'm going out to play with it a bit more.

Cheers,

Damn, you could have done the whole thing yourself in the time you've spent fixing the installer's sloppy job!!:bash:

 

[alaskanboi]

This is why I don't go to best buy for installs. My one experience was just as bad.... It costs a little more, but I take it to a car audio store, one that does only cars for a living.

Hope you get everything cleaned up and working right!

 

[nserpa9248]

working at both Circuit city and best buy, made me realize that it depends on the place..some retail store car-audio install bays are HORRIBLE some even within my own company..i call to ask simple questions like about stock, or a customer issue, etc..and they just scare me, and make me think about how many customers have to deal with that/those person(s)...

It really depends on the place..i know my shop holds high standards..but one 1/2hr away does not..

Now..(not to tottaly trash BB) but their install bays are MUCH more likeley to be of lower quality...

Circuit installers are rated on their production, so if they are non-productive, and taking too long or not doing work right..it affects their pay..
BestBuy does not operate like that..the installers could sit around all day reading magazines and get paid the same..

Also..on that note, some mom and pop shops are EVEN WORSE...with there being no corprate people to be afraid of, they can do whatever whenever..there was a place in mass that used to install stuff, then steal it back..and sell it behind the scenes..

Whatever it is, there will always be a good and a bad..

the tricky part is finding a reliable trustworthy shop..

Goodluck..

 

[brownersd]

I totally agree. I mean, the guy did an ok job, but he could have been a little more detail oriented. But, yes, usually I do it myself, as I have done in my previous vehicles, but I was afraid of taking apart the dash. (Sounds silly, but I thought that it was more brittle than it actually is) Once I saw him do it, I was able to do it with no problem. Well, my issues have been resolved. Went in this weekend and spent some time, and just fixed up everything to my standards. Thanks again to all!

Cheers,