Engine Whine?

neverman · Post by **neverman** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 8:17 pm

So I've recently replaced my ZPX2 (Active X-over) with a working unit. While in there setting it up statically I also tweaked the TBAT2 for my line levels in (I'm running the balanced cables throughout the system). It all came together wonderfully..... until....

I started the car up and drove.

I know, I know... "JUST DON'T DRIVE DUMMY"

I've never had engine whine in this system before. The only two things I did were an adjustment of the TBAT and installing the "new to me" ZPX2 and setting it up for 2-way duties. I didn't pop the covers on my amps at all. I didn't change any cables or my HU. Yet, during quiet passages or while changing sources (which used to be inaudible) I get a whine that follows my RPM's.

Help, how do I kill it? I don't like it at all even though it's relatively minor.

oldskoolmseriesfan · Post by **oldskoolmseriesfan** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 9:17 pm

Even though you never touched your grounds, stranger things have happened. I did something similar and I traced it to my front pre outs on my deck

Post by **ttocs** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 9:37 pm

the only time I had issues with a tbat system was if the chassis of one of them grounded out. The line drivers and tbat do not like that in my experience.

neverman · Post by **neverman** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:36 am

I didn't even unplug my tbat. I did have to reach underneath my steering wheel to tweek the gain pot but all the wires remained secure. Anything else I could of accidentily done besides fubar my ground? There is no setting in the ZPX2 correct? I don't recall seeing one as I changed it from a white chassis to a black chassis.

I was trained as an electronics tech and still dabble in theory and in practice so I'm pretty sure I didn't do something ape-ish.

When I increased the gain is it possible I passed a threshold or something signal path related?

Post by **stipud** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:05 am

Have a run through this first, and let us know what you come up with...

http://phoenixphorum.com/trouble-shooti ... vt178.html

neverman · Post by **neverman** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 1:53 pm

Thanks for the link. I did a search for engine whine and didn't come up with much. Amp Noise would of probably saved me a post, at least I tried

Sometimes I wish I had rca's it would be easier to isolate some of this stuff. I read through real quickly and know that I'm running power and ground direct from a battery, short runs at that as the battery is in the back. I'll have to check for corrosion although I have gold coated PG terminals. I know my electronics are all mounted into wood etc. This may prove simple or interesting!!

Thanks again.

neverman · Post by **neverman** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 7:39 pm

Hmmm, I'm at 12vdc with the car off and 13.98vdc with the car at an idle. I'm sure it's been like that for a long time and most likely not directly related to my whine. Maybe a contributer to the greater issue?

Post by **mr tibbs** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:01 pm

I'll be honest, I have no idea what you said because I can't stop watching your avatar.

neverman · Post by **neverman** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:45 pm

mr tibbs wrote:I'll be honest, I have no idea what you said because I can't stop watching your avatar.

Damnit.... Pay attention.

Post by **ttocs** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 6:26 am

it is possible that you just tuned the gains up a little and discovered some small noise that was always there. Noise can be caused by a dozen or more different problems. Are the signal cables next to the poewer cables? If so try to seperate them.

Disconnect your rca cable from your deck with the car on and see if the noise continues. We need to isolate if the noise is comming before or after the deck, before or after the tbal, ect.

Post by **stipud** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 7:05 am

neverman wrote:Hmmm, I'm at 12vdc with the car off and 13.98vdc with the car at an idle. I'm sure it's been like that for a long time and most likely not directly related to my whine. Maybe a contributer to the greater issue?

That's perfectly fine.

neverman · Post by **neverman** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 12:18 pm

Found/Fixed/Thanks

So I d-conned the active x-over and ran straight balanced to my non-sub amp. No whine. So it wasn't from the tbat tweek. It was the zpx2! Damn that Tristan! Ok, so upon further investigating... damn ME, not Tristan

I had changed base plates and one of the cable jacks (lan type) was touching the chassis. Simple fix, thanks for the help guys.

And in case anyone doesn't read carefully enough, Tristan sold me a fine and dandy ZPX2, I erred when I changed colored chassis.