HELP: stereo reception ticking??

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Nov 4, 2007 | 06:41 PM

pir7tr

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From: McKinney, TX

HELP: stereo reception ticking??

Stock monsoon headunit with alpine front speakers and tangband subs in the rear with a MTX amp wired to the subs. I have just added a shorty antenna. The reception is decent nothing changed however I constantly hear a tick tick tick on most channels on the radio...

Does anyone have a clue about what I can do to reduce the noise?

I've heard some type of filter for my amp but wasnt sure?

Nov 4, 2007 | 06:56 PM

87formy

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Normally ticking is noise coming from the ignition...Have you tried playing a CD and seeing if it still ticks?

Nov 4, 2007 | 07:17 PM

pir7tr

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As I recall it does tick a little bit when I do play a CD, but not nearly as bad as just playing a FM station

Nov 4, 2007 | 07:21 PM

87formy

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Hmm, it's probably picking it up noise in the antenna on top of it making it worse. What kind of wires/coils do you have?

Edit: Actually, it might help more to know if you've changed anything ignition related any time recently to help pinpoint something.

Nov 4, 2007 | 10:01 PM

pir7tr

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About a year ago I changed out the key lock cylinder...After changing that I dont recall any difference in radio reception....thats really the only ignition related change, other than tapping into the keyed 12 votl source to run some gauges and that was done before the key lock cylinder.

Does it make sense that I need a filter inline somewhere for the amp... I do know that the amp wires run along the passenger side of the car where I believe the radio antenna lines are???

Nov 5, 2007 | 12:54 PM

pir7tr

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Nov 5, 2007 | 08:23 PM

87formy

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Fortunately for me, I haven't had any problems with ignition noise, so I can only help so much. I would say make sure your power wire is nice and far away from your wires...the ones going from the coils to the spark plugs...Not sure if I'm forgetting a name of them or not... A new set of spark plugs/wires might help. I think I've heard a bad ground on the ignition system could cause that too.

I just did a quick search on google in an attempt to help out some more. Here's what it revealed:

Make sure you are using resistor type spark plugs and resistor type plug wires.
Determine where the noise is coming from. If the noise is a popping sound that occurs 2 or 3 times a second, you probably have a loose or bad plug wire. First, make sure that all plug wires are seated properly. If this doesn't do the trick, you may have a bad plug wire. Usually this occurs due to a pinhole in the insulation of the wire. Whenever the plug wire is energized, an arc jumps through the pinhole to the chassis of the vehicle. Replace with silicone resistor plug wires.
If the noise is a buzzing sound, the problem is usually associated with the points, distributor, or coil. Try replacing the condenser on both the coil and points. Make sure all plug wires are seated properly in the distributor cap. Additionally, you might try adding a 2200 uF cap from the positive terminal on the coil to chassis ground.
Don't use the fuse block in the vehicle to derive power for the source unit. Run the Constant Hot B+ (memory) wire directly to the battery's positive terminal.
If you still have noise, it could be occurring because of induction. Try pulling the source unit out of the dash and check for noise. If the noise is eliminated, try rerouting any wiring harnesses that are close to the deck. If this is not possible, try using self adhesive metal shielding. This might just do the trick.

Maybe that helps out some. Hopefully one of the stereo shops on here will provide some additional insight on this. Good luck with it.