Speaker interference
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 164
Likes: 74
From: Michigan
Speaker interference
I recently installed hogtunes 4.25 speakers, pioneer bluetooth headunit, and a Pyle amp. Initially I had no issues with the sound quality. But after around a hundred or so miles of break in, I started getting some nasty interference through the speakers. No specific event that I know of caused it. Just started on day. Thing is, it tests fine with the fairing off.
Are there any known causes for interference? I tried twisting the pos and neg wires to the speakers but that didnt help. It changed what the unterference sounded like, but it was worse than untwisted.
Anyone have any experience with this? Any wisdom to impart?
Are there any known causes for interference? I tried twisting the pos and neg wires to the speakers but that didnt help. It changed what the unterference sounded like, but it was worse than untwisted.
Anyone have any experience with this? Any wisdom to impart?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 3,070
From: Brighton, MI
Check your grounds.
When fairing is off, is anything else disconnected (like cigarette lighter or dummy lights)? If yes, that might be your interference causing component.
When fairing is off, is anything else connected differently?
Also, for trouble shooting, run a dedicated ground wire from the negative battery terminal and connect all of your sound system grounds to that wire only.
See if the interference goes away. If not, check other electrical component connections including ignition wires and plugs,
When fairing is off, is anything else disconnected (like cigarette lighter or dummy lights)? If yes, that might be your interference causing component.
When fairing is off, is anything else connected differently?
Also, for trouble shooting, run a dedicated ground wire from the negative battery terminal and connect all of your sound system grounds to that wire only.
See if the interference goes away. If not, check other electrical component connections including ignition wires and plugs,
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 164
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From: Michigan
Nothing is disconnected to remove fairing except the headlight, which I reconnect and set on the fender. I think the fairing might be trapping some EMI which would explain no issues when the fairing is off and issues when its on. Ill test that later along with the dedicated ground. My gut tells me that will solve it.
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2020
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From: Michigan
Alright, so I think I located the issue. Speaker wires were resting on speedo cable. I was able to get some static when movingthe wires, and now it seems to be gone. Maybe. But now I have another issue.
A little background first. I noticed that if I pulled on the trip reset **** that my HL would flicker and both the turn indicators on the dash would start to illuminate. Not fully, but start to glow. A definite short. The trip reset cable was touching the ground for the bulb in the voltage gauge. So I taped up the negative bulb terminal and now I have what you see in the videos.
Any thoughts? Im kinda stumped here.
A little background first. I noticed that if I pulled on the trip reset **** that my HL would flicker and both the turn indicators on the dash would start to illuminate. Not fully, but start to glow. A definite short. The trip reset cable was touching the ground for the bulb in the voltage gauge. So I taped up the negative bulb terminal and now I have what you see in the videos.
Any thoughts? Im kinda stumped here.
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 164
Likes: 74
From: Michigan
okay, new development, if i touch the bulb ground for the voltage gauge light to the metal trip reset wire, the HL works fine. Definietly a ground issue, but should I check HL ground or dash / gauges ground?
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,404
Likes: 2,605
From: NC USA
You're losing one of the major grounds for the entire harness. With a light, look around in there and locate any non insulated spade terminals black or brown wires (that often have more than one wire on each). There's usually 2 or more next to one another on male terminals, possibly on a metal block. Bet you find one loose....
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 164
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From: Michigan
100% agreed. I ran a dedicated ground from HL to battery and the problem is gone. I couldnt find the spot so I permanently installed the extra ground and tied it into the entire harness. Works good now, ill check again this morning to see if battery held the charge overnight and confirm that my speaker issue is gone.
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2020
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From: Michigan
Just a follow up for the poor bastard that stumbles into this thread 14 years from now and needs closure...YOU'RE ****ED! AAHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
Nah, just kidding. I found a few things happening. One, some how, the trip reset metal cable was touching the ground terminal of the light on the gauge (Voltmeter or oil pressure, I can't remember...left side of the speedo). That was somehow helping the lost ground issue because when I "fixed" that, my headlight quit working. It would come on, then just turn off within 1-2 seconds. I searched for the loose terminal that I know is still there somewhere, but in the end I just ran a dedicated ground from the battery into the factory HL connector so it essentially supplies the entire harness with a good ground circuit, and the light issue is gone. Also, apparently my speakers being all staticy and shitty and un-listen-to-able is resolved as well. Had nothing to do with the sub par components I bought. They are working just fine. Could be a bit louder, but I think I just need (want) more than a pair of 4.25's can provide!
Nah, just kidding. I found a few things happening. One, some how, the trip reset metal cable was touching the ground terminal of the light on the gauge (Voltmeter or oil pressure, I can't remember...left side of the speedo). That was somehow helping the lost ground issue because when I "fixed" that, my headlight quit working. It would come on, then just turn off within 1-2 seconds. I searched for the loose terminal that I know is still there somewhere, but in the end I just ran a dedicated ground from the battery into the factory HL connector so it essentially supplies the entire harness with a good ground circuit, and the light issue is gone. Also, apparently my speakers being all staticy and shitty and un-listen-to-able is resolved as well. Had nothing to do with the sub par components I bought. They are working just fine. Could be a bit louder, but I think I just need (want) more than a pair of 4.25's can provide!
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