In my 99 xk8 I hear the winding from the engine coming thru my speakers 90% when driving, then it goes away 10% of the time, any ideas?

 

Stock radio I assume? I've never heard of that happening, if it is truly stock. Alternator whine/buzz usually comes into the speakers when there is insufficient ground, common ground points used for audio equipment (amp/head unit) or speaker/audio leads running in parallel with a power wire (not enough shielding to protect it)

 

No it is not a stock unit, any idea on how to try to fix?

Thanks!

 

If it is not stock unit first make sure it (and the external amp if you have one) is grounded to the chassis.

If you still have a problem, the try a power filter on both the switched and unswitched power feeds (ie; buy two).

If you have an external amplifer, that should get power filters also..

If you have an external amplifier, and the power filters still do no solve the problem, use these ground loop isolaters on the line level feeds:

 

I've got a subtle, engine speed-related whine through the radio...but only when the climate control system is on. Climate control off, no subtle whine.

 

Do you have any aftermarket equipment in the audio system, including iPod and phone interfaces?

 

Oh, I wish...but alas, no.


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First, I would trace where the radio is grounded to the chassis and clean up that connection with a wire brush.

If that does not work, your radio is 15 years old, and some of the electrolytic filter capacitors may be drying out a bit. Try cutting the power feeds and splice in the power line noise filters I quoted above as a workaround.

 

It is an Alpine flip-out, touch screen head unit, was on the car when I bought it, just started driving this car so would like to get it fixed. It is on all the time, not having anything to do with any buttons on or off. Also the antenna is stuck like 20% up. I was just going to take the whole thing off as I never listen to the radio.

I will try to check the ground tomorrow and see what I can find.