Car Stereos: problem with ground loop, brake sound in speaker, ground loop isolator, ground loop problems

Question
Hi Justin,

First of all, here's my specs;

Kenwood excellon kdc-x791
kicker amp kx550.3
kicker sub S5 10 inch
kicker Component Speakers System

There is my problem: when i press the brake and release it , or change song, I hear a "tic" in my tweeter. And i also have engine noise in the speakers.

I changed my ground wire for the biggest one , and cut it as short as short as possible(9 inch), the engine noise disappear, but the brake sound didn't.

My speaker are powered by the amp and are connected via my rear speaker wire(this way the rear speaker are disconnected)

I also tried the Fusion ground loop isolator, this didn't change anything

I hope you will be able to help me!

Answer
Hi JP,

Ground loop problems are some of the toughest to solve.

If you're getting pop sounds from using your brakes, it would suggest to me that perhaps the wire that powers the electricty going to your brake lights has a bad ground or bad connection somewhere, and is causing the pop.

The first thing to make sure of is the ground wire to your stereo is connected to NON painted, non-welded part of the frame.

Then, I'd start working on putting better grounds on other parts of the car -- check the brake light wiring.

Try switching the side of the car that the RCA cables run down to the other side -- the interference might be the sudden amperage change across the light which is running parallel to your RCA cables.

Justin