Getting hiss and noise with a new receiver in an 06 with premium sound

[rangita]

I bought my 06 Vibe (with premium sound) a week ago, and I just finished installing a Dual XHD7714 receiver. The install was easy and it works, but there is an audible hiss on the speakers now. Further, when the car's running, there is a high-pitch noise that seems timed to the engine. I got it through Crutchfield, and they sent (a) a GM wire harness, (b) a PAC OEM-2 universal interface, and the receiver itself. I carefully verified that the colors matched the functions, and soldered the receiver's harness to the input of the OEM-2 and the output of the OEM-2 to the car's harness. I applied electrical tape liberally, slapped it in, and it worked fine, except for that damn hiss & noise.One thing that bugged me was that the OEM-2 said to use the input wires with red stripes for receivers So, there you have it. Any ideas on how to knock out the noise?EDIT: Some googling turned up this, telling me to adjust the gain on my amp. Does this make sense? Where is the amp on a Vibe, anyway?

[audiovibe]

The amp for the vibe is under the passanger seat, but there is no user adjustability.How high did you turn the gain on the OEM-2 that may be the problem. if it is turned up try to turn down the gain. The OEM-2 should also have a wire for ground, make sure that there is a good ground. When I first did a radio in my vibe I didnt use an interface like the OEM-2 , I went right to the amp. for that to work all you have to do is hook up the amp turn on in the factory harness and you should be set. There is also an amp bypass plyg so you dont need the factory amp but use the internal amp in the new radio.But before anything I would check the gain and ground on the OEM-2.Aron

[rangita]

Thanks. There are small screw adjusters on the OEM-2 for each speaker -- I assume these are gain adjustment. I'll play with it tonight.The ground should be solid...I put a ton of solder and insulation on that and the two power lines.If that doesn't work, do you think it would be a bad idea to take the OEM-2 out of the line? I'm not an audio expert, so I don't know if it's an essential part to step down my particular receiver, or just something the Crutchfield robot tacked on to be on the safe side.

[Wolfman213]

I just did an install on mine 2 weekends ago, 06 w M&T, got everything from Crutchfield just as you did, but different receiver. I had to actually turn the gain on all 4 on the OEM-2 all the way off, then barely bump it up. I still have a great level of sound but no more "white noise." ALso, since PAC doesn't supply rubber boots for the RCA's, make sure they do not touch any metal as they will create a static electric sound.

[rangita]

Bingo! Turning the gain knobs 90 degrees left fixed it perfectly. Thanks all.I noticed that about the RCA connectors. I ended up ziptying a baggy over them.

[Kevzaz]

I didn't get any interface.. and I have the white noise. what should I do?

[rangita]

Do you have the premium sound package? What components did you install with your stereo?

[Sublimewind]

Quote, originally posted by rangita »Bingo! Turning the gain knobs 90 degrees left fixed it perfectly. Thanks all.I noticed that about the RCA connectors. I ended up ziptying a baggy over them.Cool, but I bet the noise is still there, just below the hearing threshold.. The ground for the PAC-2.. you said you soldered it well (which is great, a solder user..!!) but WHERE did you ground it? Back into the harness ground, or dod you do a separate ground FOR it... ? As Audiovibe eluded to, the noise that you hear that follows engine RPM is typically called a "ground loop" and happens when an audio ground isn't at the same ground potential as the rest of the car.. so that grounding point for the PAC-2 might not be ideal.. Just a little education, you can pursue it if you like... sounds like it's not a problem..

[DoubleBaril]

Looks like this will hopefully fix the level of noise coming from the speakers on my new deck. Sounds like the same symptoms. Lots of noise coming from the speakers unless it is muted.