Sirius External Hum/feedback

[RaGeFeAr]

I have a starmate 4 and I like it, I wouldn't get one of those built in units for anything. My problem is that even though I am connecting it to the stereo directly it seems to hum. You can actually hear the revs of the engine thru the stereo with it plugged in and even sometimes it will pop when you press the brakes. I don't think its the actual sirius unit (being that I use it in multiple cars) but more the 12v adapter I plug it into. I have tried all of them, both in the dash, the one in the center console and the rear seat unit as well. I imagine they are all wired together but heres to hoping.

 

Anyway, anyone else have this problem? Could it be a bad ground?

 

Back in the day when I used to do stereo installs I remember this being the issue, that and running the power wire on the same side as the alternator.

 

 

Oh, one more thing, anyone figure out a way to keep the damn 12v adapter in the outlet? I hit a bump and it becomes dislodged! Kinda annoying.

 

I didn't a search but didn't really come up with anything that I thought was relevant.

 

thanks

[longhorn_giant]

It is a bad ground. The 12v adapters are creating grounding feedback loops, which is the hum you hear. If you unplug it from that adapter you'll get rid of the noise. I've got the same problem using my line-in for my ipod. There are a couple ways to fix it, but it involves basically re-grounding the adapters individually, or grounding your unit that goes into the adapter.

 

Then again, the alternator option sounds like it could be viable also, which would be why the hum changes with the load on the engine. I've just decided that I'm going to eventually get the PAL that connects to the XM unit in the glove box and ties into the Ipod there. There It'll charge and play on the radio. I don't know if there's any options like that for a sirius unit or not. How do you have it wired into the radio?

[RaGeFeAr]

I have it connected using the headphone jack. I don't mind ripping the dash apart and regrounding these things if its going to let me enjoy the sirius radio again! Right now I am at my wits end and don't even bother with it, I have been listening to my MP3 player instead but it eventually kills the battery and then I am back to my sirius hummage.

 

damn GM and their shortcuts. Maybe I will run a wire right back to the engine. Are all 4 adapters wired together?

 

oh, this is in my 07 silverado

[thecraft]

The Starmate dock is permanently installed in your truck right? If it is, I would just buy an extra 12volt outlet, install it somewhere hidden, and then plug the dock into that. That should eliminate the noise if it's wired properly, plus it will clean up the wires and give you back all of your factory outlets.

 

Just so you know, you can't just cut off the plug for the dock, IIRC, it has a 12-to-5 volt transformer built into the plug.

[RaGeFeAr]

aaahhhhh... good point about that 5v adapter, stupidest thing sirius ever did... the fm modulator works like crap now...

[pentavolvo]

fairly common on alot of cars, most will get a ground loop isolator and run it between the output of the sirius and the headunit

 

something like this

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ground-Loop-Isolator-R...93%3A1|294%3A50

[RaGeFeAr]

fairly common on alot of cars, most will get a ground loop isolator and run it between the output of the sirius and the headunit

 

something like this

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ground-Loop-Isolator-R...93%3A1|294%3A50

 

of course, just more junk in the car... I bought a retractable headphone jack for a reason! lol. thanks tho!

[RaGeFeAr]

so I just took the dash apart. I tried to ground the 12v to the body and then straight to the battery. Nothing helps. Are we kidding here? I even disconnected the stock ground and replaced it with this ground to the battery and the body. Then I disconnected the power from the 12v and the ground was still noisy as all hell! This is freakin lame! On top of that, I broke the stupid lil 12v cap! UGH! So I am completely annoyed. Anyone have any other ideas? Can I get a ground loop isolator for the ground of the 12v?

[Silver Wraith]

I get hum with my radio (less now that I have it direct wired into the antenna vs. using the aux. jack). I also get hum with my CB, even my Onstar phone. Pisses me off. Complain to the dealer, and get blank looks, followed by 'it must be your devices'. Yeah, it's my devices, not the truck.

[mfennema]

I have the sportster 5 which I have hardwired in. I bought the iSimple PXAMG which allowed me to hook my sat radio in to the back of the head unit (and also my iPod) and then I bought an extra cigarette lighter outlet and wired it in behind the dash so it couldn't be seen as was mentioned earlier in this thread. Works like a charm and I don't get any feedback.