amp intergration

[dsmvenge]

OK I'm a bit stumped here. I got a harness with the plug for the amp, that converts to 4 rcas. My radio has no power ant. lead for one. And for two, I grounded the radio under the seat, but I have bad ground noise. Do i need a ground strap on the back of the radio, my stock didnt. Its really annoying, I just wanna know how i can get rid of it, and how to make the anttenna work right

 

[Rockyp]

If you want to make the antenna power work, wire the existing power line to an ignition source to cause the antenna to rise when the ignition is on. As for the ground issue, install a better ground wire to the firewall and shield it to prevent any interference. If it's not shielded, you'll get killer feedback if you ever try to listen to ESPN radio on AM.

 

[Budget90GST]

Actually, the RCA conversion harness should have a small wire that ties into the amp. That's the signal wire to power the amp, you can probably tie into that for the power antenna.

As for the noise, just make sure your RCAs are not touching metal or each other and try to keep them away from power wires if you can.

 

[dsmvenge]

I have official tried everything I know about car audio and since thats 15 yrs of systems. I've led it back to bad rca harness from scosche. Ordered a new metra one from crutchfield hopefully this is my problem. Anyone else ever had an issue

 

[dsmvenge]

ok changed head unit went with a crutchfield harness the problem is still there just not as bad

 

[turboglenn]

The ignition noise could be your plug wires and a lack of ground straps under the hood. Good wires and plenty of grounds (there's a tech article on installing multiple ones on this site) but couple those with running any "decent" ground ot the radio like even the stock antenna and you should be ok.

I have the same harness you're running and i also have the Amp integration harness (came together in one pack) and i have zero ignition noise in my setup which is rather low dollar stuff all around.

AS for the antenna, I didn't like it being up anytime the radio or car was on so i put a rocker switch in the area below the radio (sdwitched from double to single din decks) NOw when i want the antenna up i flip the switch (helps in the drive through car wash also )

 

[dsmvenge]

The antenna works fine if you have a powen atenna lead. This one does actually and that works so thats nice. Ill have to check my grounds then its just annoying as hell and my stocker took a crap.

 

[Rich_Howell]

Why not just actually wire the car for sound? It isn't terribly difficult. All these integration harnesses to retain stock (crappy, underpowered) amps...baah. They aren't worth the trouble.

Pick a decent deck, a decent 4-ch amp, run new wires from the amp to the doors and dash for a component set, delete the rear 6x9s, and slap a box with a 10" in the back. Done.

One thing I like to do, which costs a little extra in material, is NOT use a short ground wire from the amp directly to the chassis, but to run the ground all the way back to the battery with whatever size is used for power. Of course equal or greater-sized ground is required from battery to chassis. If you're dead-set on OEM amp integration, maybe this general idea could help you.