Whatever happened to service...

[axisofunity]

As some of you may know I was having some problems with my ICE set-up in my car. There was interference from some part of the system with some part of the car causing a high pitch whine if the whole lot was switched on and you were driving around.

The installation was done by what I thought was a good company in Lancaster with whom I'd bought a few products in the past. Although I provided my own parts, I paid well for labour and wasn't pushy with the time or anything.

When I got the car back, everything was ace, the install looked good and I was well pleased. The owner demonstrated the install with the ignition on (But Engine off) and everything was great.

First thing I noticied when I drove away however was the high pitch whine, only when the engine was on...

I drove straight back again but the owner didn't seem bothered and didn't want to come out to hear. He told me to call back if the problem was still there in a few days.

Did so, over three week wait (seen today) before he could see me again.... I attended Bluewater and showed the install to a few people, but what pretty embarressed about the whine, so I didn't turn the engine on...

Came back today to finally get it sorted and I was 15min-20min late to the garage due to 1) Adding Oil to the car and 2) some light traffic.

He refused to see me and finally decided that he could come out and listen to it.... You can't hear much when the car's engine is on but not driving so he didn't seem to care and said if I really wanted he could order some 'filters' for it and then blamed me for using my own parts (Sony, Sony, Alpine & TFTs)

He didn't want to come out for a drive to really hear it (It's very loud!) and also didn't want to book me in again, just told me to call back in a few days.

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What am I meant to do guys? This is crap service, he should've tested it with the engine on (They're a professional ICE shop.... (((which leads me to the conclusion they did, but didn't want to be ar$ed fixing it))) and not seeing me because I was late (out of my control) was just total ar$e. I've been waiting for a long time on it...

So, could you advise me on my options please and if possible offer some ICE support...

Here's the setup: Sony DVD Changer, boot mounted. Two TFTs, sunvisor mounted. 1 Sony Headunit.

There's no interference in the following cases:

1) CD playing with sound
2) DVD player on and playing but headunit not turned to sound input channel
2) DVD player on and playing, TFTs on but headunit not tuned to sound input channel.

So I think the problem is with the wiring into the headunit (which was done to the radio input (Preset 6 is now DVD in).

There's an FM Modulator in there which the owner thinks is the problem or he thinks it's interference with the alternator... I don't know if I trust him, I just know my ICE sounds crap when driving.

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Sorry for the long post, any ideas, what are my rights since the parts were my own but I paid for installation...

Any ideas on the interference which sounds like it's coming from the engine bay and is a high pitch whine? ((I have no PAS, AC etc)

[DeusMR2]

First though is power steering pump, these can cause inteference especially with Sony units. Either join the speaker grounds together or create a new ground point for the headunit or do both. One of those will stop the whining noise.

[cbaynes]

I had exactly this issue when I had my 2, a simple solution is to buy an RCA Y-Cable that connects into the existing wiring loom an into the head unit.

Or rip out all of the Sound Systems wiring loom and start a fresh as there is a ground somewhere.

HTH

C

[axisofunity]

First though is power steering pump, these can cause inteference especially with Sony units. Either join the speaker grounds together or create a new ground point for the headunit or do both. One of those will stop the whining noise.

Hi, I've not got powering steering

But I'll try the other suggestion

[brummypetepie]

There's an FM Modulator in there which the owner thinks is the problem or he thinks it's interference with the alternator... I don't know if I trust him, I just know my ICE sounds crap when driving.

Hi

Sorry to hear about the system problems and the attitude of the guy who sold it to you, theres a couple of things Id try first of all.

Firstly, try and ditch the FM Modulator. Ive used these before and have only had problems with them as they are swines for picking up interferance. From what I remember, Sony changers have RCA preouts directly from the changer, so hook these directly to your amp (turn the gain down first!!!) then slowly turn up the amp gain with the engine on. If you cant hear the whine then its obviously the FM Modulator or HU thats causing the problem and youll need to find a permanent alternative solution to using the FM Modulator through the HU.

But.....if the FM Modulator is the only way of getting audio out of the DVD Changer, then change the changer and look for another solution.

There are other means of putting the DVD sound through the amp without going through the head unit, and as youve got the gontrol form the remote, you dont need to worry and the HU controlling the DVD changer. If you need a help working out another way of doing this, just let me know.

If the whining still continues with the DVD changer directly connected to the Amp, then try check all the earthing points of the amp, they should all be directly to the chassis and have a good contact to the metal - the paint should have been removed if any there.

By removing the HU from the equation, if the whining continues, you know its not the HU grouding causing the problem.

To be honest though, as youre not getting any interferance when playing CDs with the the engine on, I dont think it would be a grounding issue, as it proves that the groudning for the Head Unit, Amp and CD Changer (if any) are all fine.

the best way to work this one out is be elimination, remove part of the system step by step unti you work out which one is causing the whine and then resolve that issue - simple really!

Hope this helps, Ive installed a shedload fo systems into my and mates cars, so I enjoy geting them going and sounding their best!

As for the audio shop, just ask him directly what your supposed to do, if he stares at you with a blank look then say youll have to take it higher and higher until you get a good solution. Or if it turns out the changer only uses the FM Modulator to suplpy audio, then ask him to change it for a decent single DIN unit that you can setup without using a FM Modulator.

Oh, and say youll slag his shop off on every forum known to man!

HTH , if you need anything else, just ask!

Pete

[Raf]

I used to get inerference like this on old systems. What wiring are you using? you may need better earth leads that are more insulated.

In the past i was introduced to this box thingy; i think it was called a surpressor and was fitted either to the power lead or earth... Brumiepetepie may know what i'm on about! That used to kill the whine.

Sorry to hear about your beef with the installers- i dont even think its a big problem, especially for them!

[axisofunity]

Thank you for the quick replies!

I'll look over them and see what I can do. Here below is a system diagram for my car:


Boot:

Sony DVD 10 Disc Changer (Sony, good brand, top range changer,)

Front

Headunit: Sony Tape Unit / Radio, Model: M510

AMP: Alpine V12

Kenwood 10 Disc CD changer.

The Kenwood is connected to the speakers and headunit. The DVD changer just runs straight to the headunit (and thus from the headunit into the AMP) It's not possible to connect the DVD changer straight to the AMP...

Kenwood CD changer has never had problems nor has the headunit. It's just and only when the DVD changer is playing and the headunit is set to the input channel for sound. If for example a DVD is playing on the screens but the headunit is playing a CD from the changer, there is no whine...


Thanks for your help, maybe info above helps.

[brummypetepie]

Hold on, Im a bit confused now, how does the audio feed from the DVD changer get into the Head Unit?

I thought it was via the FM Modulator?

Also, how is the Kenwood changer controlled and audio get to the Hu and then on to the amp??

Pete

[axisofunity]

Hold on, Im a bit confused now, how does the audio feed from the DVD changer get into the Head Unit?

I thought it was via the FM Modulator?

Also, how is the Kenwood changer controlled and audio get to the Hu and then on to the amp??

Pete

DVD changed is wired through an FM modulator into the back of the Head Unit and is binded to Auto Station 6, FM 88.6 or some kack like that....

Kenwood is controlled by the headunit.... AMP takes Kenwood and into Head Unit I think...

It's a complicated set up *_^ More than welcome to come look

[brummypetepie]

So how is the DVD changer connected to the FM Modulator?? Is there a RCA out connected to the FM Modulator then into the head unit??

Also, how on earth does the Kenwood changer be controlled by the Sony head unit??

How do you select to use the Kenwood changer too? Is it via a radio station on the HU too?

Sorry for all the questions, just trying to get my head round your system....

Pete

[axisofunity]

So how is the DVD changer connected to the FM Modulator?? Is there a RCA out connected to the FM Modulator then into the head unit??

Also, how on earth does the Kenwood changer be controlled by the Sony head unit??

How do you select to use the Kenwood changer too? Is it via a radio station on the HU too?

Sorry for all the questions, just trying to get my head round your system....

Pete

Hi pete

Oops, Sony 10 Disc CD changer... Does that answer the question I posted some pics in the members section.... Sony 10 disc just goes straight into the headunit, sorry I was getting rather confused with my old car... ahem.

You're right, RCA, to FM to Head Unit.

Sorry for being a confusing idiot. Half of that stuff was in the car when I got it *_^

[brummypetepie]

OK, yep, that makes sense, from what I can gather, this is how the system works and whats wrong with it......

Sony Head Unit controls Sony 10 Disc CD changer
Sony 10 CD Changer is plugged into Sony HU directly
Sony HU runs to Alpine Amp which powers complete system
Sony 10 Disc DVD changer is controlled by a seperate remote control, the video feeds into the 2 screens and the audio feeds into an FM Modulator via 2 RCAs.
The FM Modulators set to a frequency of around 89.xxxFM and this is preset to radio station 6 on the Sony HU radio.

The reason why they have gone down the FM Modulator route is because the head unit can only control one changer, and the only input into the head unit is being taken up by the CD changer.

You only get whine when the audio from the DVD changer is going through the FM Modulator into the Head Unit, everything else works fine with the engine running, so Tape, CD changer and Radio dont give you any grief?

Is all this correct??

If so then I may have a solution, but nede to know if Im right first of all!!!

Pete

[axisofunity]

OK, yep, that makes sense, from what I can gather, this is how the system works and whats wrong with it......

Sony Head Unit controls Sony 10 Disc CD changer
Sony 10 CD Changer is plugged into Sony HU directly
Sony HU runs to Alpine Amp which powers complete system
Sony 10 Disc DVD changer is controlled by a seperate remote control, the video feeds into the 2 screens and the audio feeds into an FM Modulator via 2 RCAs.
The FM Modulators set to a frequency of around 89.xxxFM and this is preset to radio station 6 on the Sony HU radio.

The reason why they have gone down the FM Modulator route is because the head unit can only control one changer, and the only input into the head unit is being taken up by the CD changer.

You only get whine when the audio from the DVD changer is going through the FM Modulator into the Head Unit, everything else works fine with the engine running, so Tape, CD changer and Radio dont give you any grief?

Is all this correct??

If so then I may have a solution, but nede to know if Im right first of all!!!

Pete

I believe you are right, but I've never played a tape. Radio works fine on it's own. That setup sounds correct as well. If it's any help, there's some big subs as well, but again they're fine.

Movie sound is also find and undistorted except at high speeds due to FM interfernece. The whine is always present however and the more revs the car does, the more whine, so at 5000 in 5th, it's loud (but motorway covers it a bit) but at lets say 5000 in second accelerating in town, it's just bloody loud.

[brummypetepie]

Ok, theres a couple of things to try.

Firstly try a quick and easy one, can you change the frequency the FM Modulator puts out to the HU? Ive had the same problem with my iPod and iTrip, in that there arent many frequency gaps on uk radio, so your always close to a major radio station that causes interferance. If its feeding the HU at around 88.something, then its a bit too close to Radio 2 to offer any decent clean signal, and you may be picking up fuzz from Terry Wogan in the morning. if you can get any frequency set and clean around 100Mhz, this is best as it apparently offers the best stereo separation.

Secondly, take the FM Modulator out of the equation be plugging the RCAs either directly into the HU - on the back of the Sony HU it will have a pair of RCAs in which are currently taken up by the Sony CD Changer. Or you could plug the DVD RCAs directly into the Amp, but Id try the HU way first. On the HU if you then select the CD Changer as a source, the CD Changer will fire up as the control lead is still connected to the HU, but the audio coming into the HU will be from the DVD changer.

Now rev the engine and see if you get the same whining, if you dont, then hey presto, it was the FM Modulator.

Finally, if you still get the whining with this setup, look for any earth leads coming from the DVD changer as your changer must be earthed on its own as its not being controlled by the HU. Make sure the DVD changer is earthed properly.

If you dont get the problem with the DVD sound going through the HU then the next problem youll have to get round is running both the CD and DVD changer into the head unti, but this can be sorted by running both the CD and DVD audio into an external slector box, and choosing which source you want to listen to via the HU.

Does all that make some sense!!!???

If not, take it all back or sell it to me!!!