Mark Rindner

Need some help. I've researched threads on this but I have a specific situation I need to address. I've had my 996 for about 6 months. It has a powerful Pioneer nav/sound system installed by PO. 3 weeks ago, it developed an intermitant whine through the speakers, whether the unit is on or off. What I believe is the OEM amplifier is mounted to the firewall in the trunk. On inspection, I noticed that the wiring harness is not plugged into this unit and the unit, a large black finned item, was pretty much loose. I removed this unit. The stereo plays without this item in the car. Is it possible that this unit should remain in the car with the harness re-attached to eliminate what may be a ground fault? Maybe the harness worked itself loose and this caused the whine to start. I hesitate to plug it in as I'm not a machanical or electronic genius ( you were starting to guess that by now ) and don't want to blow up or short out my new Porsche. Anyone out there who's installed their own system, what happens with the OEM amp?

Shark Attack

You may be completely looking in the wrong spot. This is also an early warning of your altinator going bad. Are you also blowing bulbs recently?

But also could be bad install or improper ground. Take it back to the installer.

Mark Rindner

Not been blowing bulbs. The weird part is that it is intermittant. Sometimes it does it, other times not at all.

dotframe

I'd guess it is a grounding problem. Back when I used to install aftermarket radios that was always the root cause of any buzzing.

Pac996

Speakers being grounded with the radio power line could be the problem. If thats the case then grounding at the speaker and body attachment location would help.

Mark Rindner

Hey, I located the problem by accident. I had my stereo on and went over a railroad tracks. Boom...the driver's side door speaker kicked on and the whining stopped. Next step is to find out where the loose connection actually is. The door, the amp...?

David Clarke

If the amp in the front was still in and not wired up, trace the wiring back from there. It will be tapped into at some point, probably in front or to right of battery. Right there is likely to be ground zero. I shudder to think what you will find based on your two posts. Pictures when you do? It will be an easy fix if it's a hack job at that junction point.

Mark Rindner

Thanks,
Project for Friday.

David Clarke

Don't plug the old amp back in. That could make a mess!

Mark Rindner

Thanks again.

Mark Rindner

Did a crazy thing. Dug up the maintenance records on my car, found the invoice from the AM stereo installer, called and visited him and he fixed the problem in about 15 minutes at no charge. Why don't I do things like this more often instead of contemplating self-diagnosis and repair and seeking help on-line from a bunch of DIY addicts. Live and learn.

GTRSR

What was the installer's fix?

Thanks.

Dennis C

I'm guessing a ground issue?