Its been like this ever since i installed the system. To keep it simple, when i play DVDs while driving and the AC is off, there is a slight whine that matches the RPM. As soon as the AC is turned on, the noise is much louder.

When i first isntalled the DVD and screen, i used the RCA cables that came with it. The noise was estremely loud. I then changed the RCAs that came with the DVD player to monster cables and that reduced the sound a lot, but it is still there and still very annoying.

MY SETUP.
I have a DVD player under the passenger seat. The RCA and power cable lead up to right under the radio where the I/O box is for the DVD/Tuner. The ground for the DVD player is connected to the metal frame under the carpet, it is less that 6 inches long. The power line runs from under the passenger chair to the same line that powers the cigarette lighter.

So the RCA line goes to the I/O box and from there, it goes to an FM modulator where i tune into a radio station to listen.

So the obvius question is, how do i fix it?

I've been searching for "noise filters" and have ran across products such as "line drivers" and "ground loop isolators" which claim to take away distortions from RCA cables that i am experiencing. Should i get one, or the other, or both? Are there a differences between a $10 unit compared to a $40? Thanks for the advice.

*Something to note, i only get the whine noise when using the DVD player. When i use the TV Tuner, i do not get it at all. So the problem lies in the RCA cables and/or the DVD player.

 

Alright, before I truly begin on this one. I need to know 2 more pieces of info.
1. Is the whine still there at idle, with nothing on?
2. Does the whine happen when just your lights are on?

To help you understand why. I'm trying to determine if it's a problem with your alternator. Or it's picking up signals from you system.

And because it only happens with your DVD doesn't mean it couldn't be the alternator. I have a whine on mine whenever I use my headlights, but never when I'm running my stereo.

 

To elaborate: There are two totally different whines that you can hear. One is the whine that is like you have a supercharger in your car, and is coming from the alternator because it is on its way out. Mine did for a day or two before it just blew up, along with the Optima.

Then there is the audio whine you can hear through your stereo system due to Radio Frequency Interference. This can both come from a dying alternator or a crappy head unit. Aiwa likes to allow RFI.

So therefore, you will need to get back on what kind of "whine" you are hearing, and then we can help you from there.

 

Thanks for the quick response. I just ran downstairs to test run everything.

After starting the car, i turned on the DVD and screen and the whine was very very low, not like the normal loud whine while cruising. I then turn the lights on only and there was no difference. I then turned on the AC and that revved the engine a little and started the fan then the whine got loud like it normally is. As soon as i turned the AC off and lights off, the whine still remained "normal" loud.

 

I'm tired, and I want to go to bed, here's what I think. Your alternator's condenser is shot. Get it rebuilt. ASAP, sooner if it whines while the headlights are on. And for the reason possibly why it only whines on DVD. Your system is pulling so much amperage, that your alternator is working harder to make it up. When it's starts to work harder, it draws down on the engine power. So your engine raises your Idle enough to compensate. Now with your condenser out (condenser suppresses noises picked up), it's picking up the RFI from your system, or your spark plug wires.

In the case of mine, it's picking up my spark plug wires RFI.

Thus the whine.

Goodnight

Thnx Zigg, I was smacking my head trying to remember RFI. Guess I was so tired, I couldn't remember what it was called.

 

The whine comes from the speakers only and corresponds to the engine RPM. It can only be heard while watching DVDs. It does sound like a supercharger though, but it comes from the speakers.

There is NO whine during normal driving with the radio on or off.

 

Hopefully the condenser is not shot. I bought the car brand new with 0 problems. I put the setup in within one month of getting the car and as soon i drove off the drive way, it made the noise. Now, almost 2 years later, i have still not have had any problems with the car what so ever, but the noise still persist. I am just now getting ready to fix it as i am about to go on a 16 hour road trip. So i dont think it is the alternator's condensor, but if you insist that it may be the problem, i will get the alternator checked out.

 

I have the SAME problem, BUT mine doesn't involve the A/C at all. When my stereo is on, I get a whine that matches up with the RPMs, but as soon as I turn off my headunit, it goes away. Any ideas? You think the supressor would filter this out? Does it have anything to do with what the FAQs in the 4th Gen say about if you change the Headunit you can get some engine noise throught the speakers, so it's best to change th whole system if you change the headunit? Thanks.

 

Sorry bout that, I was tired, and had to get up early for work today. If the whine is coming from your speakers, then it's not your alternator. If I had stayed awake a few minutes longer I might have read that.

If the noise coresponds to engine RPM, your DVD RCA's might be picking up on your sparkplugs RFI. You can try using the grounding RCA's. That might do the trick, if not, maybe it'll help reduce. I've used those type of RCA's before, but I really didn't need them. So I have no idea if it will stop the whine.

 

I found my solution. I went to Radio Shack and bought a Ground Loop Isolator. It went for $15.99 and it fixed my problem. The unit i bought looks like a cylinder with RCAs coming out of both sides. The RCAs are both males so i had to buy a female adapter. I plugged one end into the DVD player, the other into the female adapter and then into the Monster Cable RCAs that go to my I/O box. It eliminates all whine noises for me. It was extremely easy to do and a cheap $15.99 fix-up.

Although the wiring from the Ground Loop Isolator is 3 feet long, long enough for me to reach the DVD player to the I/O box, i still used the Monster Cables. Without the Monster Cables, i still got a whine, very very low whine, but after putting the Monster Cables back in, it elminated it completely.

Thanks for the help guys.