wild.coast
Bought an X
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada
So I installed a Pioneer head unit using the Metra 70-7551 harness, which uses the RCA outputs on the radio and uses the stock Rockford F amp.
I'm getting a loud 'pop' whenever the head unit turns on or even when changing modes or radio stations. Did a bunch of research and this forum and elsewhere and sounds like, if I understand correctly, it's an issue with the blue/white wire coming out of the head unit into the 'amp turn on' (blue wire) on the Metra Harness. Specifically, that the head unit takes a second longer to cut power which causes the amp to build up a charge and release it - hence the noise.
I've heard of people installing group-loop isolators on the RCA outs to avoid this (thread). I've also seen a post where someone installed a Relay on the blue/white wire to get it to cut out instantly (link). Does anyone know which is the better/proper way? After some reading, sounds like the ground-loop isolators are more of a 'mask the problem' solution - and significantly reduce the sound quality?
Any chance this pop is due to some bad ground? This website seems to suggest some fixes: Engine whine and ground loop fixes... take two
With regards to grounding, I know best practice is to ground everything off a single point. There were several wires that needed to be grounded:
I don't have any background in electronics or automotive wiring, so just researching various threads but don't have any framework to evaluate what's right/wrong, and there seem to be a lot of conflicting opinions. Would love some expert help!! Thanks in advance!
Pic of my wiring:
I'm getting a loud 'pop' whenever the head unit turns on or even when changing modes or radio stations. Did a bunch of research and this forum and elsewhere and sounds like, if I understand correctly, it's an issue with the blue/white wire coming out of the head unit into the 'amp turn on' (blue wire) on the Metra Harness. Specifically, that the head unit takes a second longer to cut power which causes the amp to build up a charge and release it - hence the noise.
I've heard of people installing group-loop isolators on the RCA outs to avoid this (thread). I've also seen a post where someone installed a Relay on the blue/white wire to get it to cut out instantly (link). Does anyone know which is the better/proper way? After some reading, sounds like the ground-loop isolators are more of a 'mask the problem' solution - and significantly reduce the sound quality?
Any chance this pop is due to some bad ground? This website seems to suggest some fixes: Engine whine and ground loop fixes... take two
With regards to grounding, I know best practice is to ground everything off a single point. There were several wires that needed to be grounded:
- Metra harness ground wire (black)
- Metra harness amp ground (black/white)
- Stereo (head unit) ground wire (black)
I don't have any background in electronics or automotive wiring, so just researching various threads but don't have any framework to evaluate what's right/wrong, and there seem to be a lot of conflicting opinions. Would love some expert help!! Thanks in advance!
Pic of my wiring: