Whining sound source? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

67HEAVEN · 12-06-2007, 10:41 PM

1989 K1500.

While driving along and listening to the radio (AM or FM), I notice a whine noise that sounds higher or lower along with the engine rpm. If I turn off the radio, the whine disappears.

BUT HERE's THE WEIRD THING. If I turn the volume down completely, I still hear the sound. As long as the radio power is on, I hear the whine. The volume setting on the radio has no effect on the loudness of the whine.........I just have to have the radio power on.

Huh?

bikerbomber · 12-06-2007, 11:25 PM

That noise your hearing is the alternator feedback through the sound system. The same thing happens when you run an amplifier without a good ground. As to the cure, I can speculate, but because its a factory stereo I don't know what to tell ya. Maybe someone else can help you there. Aftermarket I know....but this....well...sheesh.....

-Good luck!

66skylarkpost · 12-06-2007, 11:43 PM

check for the engine ground at the firewall on the pass side to the back of the motor and the ground wire from the battery to the inner fender . if you loose one or both it may cause a whine

71/454 · 12-07-2007, 01:28 AM

I just had this in mine, it was a dirty battery terminal.

67HEAVEN · 12-07-2007, 07:01 AM

Thanks for all the responses. I'll check them out.

What really puzzles me is why I can hear it when the radio volume is completely down (although the radio is still on).

Tom · 12-07-2007, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67HEAVEN

Thanks for all the responses. I'll check them out.

What really puzzles me is why I can hear it when the radio volume is completely down (although the radio is still on).

The whine is alternator current radiating from the wires and soaking into your wires for the speakers, in essence providing the speakers its own power even when your head unit isen't

67HEAVEN · 12-07-2007, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom

The whine is alternator current radiating from the wires and soaking into your wires for the speakers, in essence providing the speakers its own power even when your head unit isen't

Thanks for the excellent explanation, Tom.

ChevLoRay · 12-16-2007, 01:27 PM

Don't see this very often, but used to be that failure to use resistor spark plugs would do it. But check and be sure that all of the body-to-chassis ground straps are in-place and secure.

As for the explanation of how it happens, nice. When I was in the USAF, one of the guys had a 4-ft tall speaker for his electric guitar. We found that we could take a simple transistor radio (yeah, this is back in the 60's) and place it right in front of the big ole speaker and turn it on. The big speaker would work, without any electrical input from the radio, providing much nicer sound than the pocket-sized radio could ever do. Just one of the phenomenoms of radio, huh?

71big block · 12-16-2007, 04:34 PM

I had the same problem but I noticed the whinning went away when my wife got out of my truck... I couldn't resist

71swb4x4 · 12-16-2007, 04:58 PM

Have you tried driving without your wife in the passenger seat? Maybe stick her in the back? Or leave her at home? Does the whine go away?

ChevLoRay · 12-17-2007, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71big block

I had the same problem but I noticed the whinning went away when my wife got out of my truck... I couldn't resist

Drive a school bus, and you'll hear whining like never before when you pick the wrong music for the age groups you are hauling. Take some middle-schoolers and throw in some 50's R&R in the air, and sit back.

I really like the "NO WHINING" sign that my WIFE bought for the house when we were on vacation in Cooperstown. I found an international-type of sticker for my bus that has the red circle with the diagonal bar on top of the word "Whining". The kids know it's there, but that doesn't stop them.

12-06-2007, 10:41 PM	#1
67HEAVEN www.67HEAVEN.com Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: SouthCentral Ontario Posts: 625	Whining sound source? 1989 K1500. While driving along and listening to the radio (AM or FM), I notice a whine noise that sounds higher or lower along with the engine rpm. If I turn off the radio, the whine disappears. BUT HERE's THE WEIRD THING. If I turn the volume down completely, I still hear the sound. As long as the radio power is on, I hear the whine. The volume setting on the radio has no effect on the loudness of the whine.........I just have to have the radio power on. Huh? Last edited by 67HEAVEN; 12-06-2007 at 10:42 PM.

12-06-2007, 11:25 PM	#2
bikerbomber Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sierra Vista, AZ Posts: 306	Re: Whining sound source? That noise your hearing is the alternator feedback through the sound system. The same thing happens when you run an amplifier without a good ground. As to the cure, I can speculate, but because its a factory stereo I don't know what to tell ya. Maybe someone else can help you there. Aftermarket I know....but this....well...sheesh..... -Good luck!

12-06-2007, 11:43 PM	#3
66skylarkpost Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: kearney,nebraska Posts: 443	Re: Whining sound source? check for the engine ground at the firewall on the pass side to the back of the motor and the ground wire from the battery to the inner fender . if you loose one or both it may cause a whine __________________ '70 k-10 longbox- mid 70's drivetrain 350/350 487x heads 10.1:1 flowmasters ,35's 3.73's auburn posi ,rear shackle flip. '72 short stepside U.S. forestry truck, '73 455 buick,400 turbo,dropped 2"-4 1/4" ,3.07 posi,:'89 silverado 1500 ,OK truck ,5.7 holley tbi ,trick 700r4 3.07 auburn posi ,and my '66 skylark ,'73 centurion and my '84 monte carlo imca stock car

12-07-2007, 01:28 AM	#4
71/454 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 353	Re: Whining sound source? I just had this in mine, it was a dirty battery terminal. __________________ 1972 Gmc Custom swb intercooled twin turbo 327 10.5-1 and 12 lbs of boost, Nodular iron case super t-10 4 speed with a blowproof bellhousing, 12 bolt eaton posi soon to have moser axles. 1998 Honda CR250 fully ported, case matched, milled head, vortexed carb and revalved suspension but don't forget the woody woodpecker decal kit! Things I've broken so far: 12 bolt diff saginaw 4 spd many, many pieces Aluminum case Super t-10 4 spd

12-07-2007, 07:01 AM	#5
67HEAVEN www.67HEAVEN.com Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: SouthCentral Ontario Posts: 625	Re: Whining sound source? Thanks for all the responses. I'll check them out. What really puzzles me is why I can hear it when the radio volume is completely down (although the radio is still on).

12-16-2007, 01:27 PM	#8
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: Whining sound source? Don't see this very often, but used to be that failure to use resistor spark plugs would do it. But check and be sure that all of the body-to-chassis ground straps are in-place and secure. As for the explanation of how it happens, nice. When I was in the USAF, one of the guys had a 4-ft tall speaker for his electric guitar. We found that we could take a simple transistor radio (yeah, this is back in the 60's) and place it right in front of the big ole speaker and turn it on. The big speaker would work, without any electrical input from the radio, providing much nicer sound than the pocket-sized radio could ever do. Just one of the phenomenoms of radio, huh? __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

12-16-2007, 04:34 PM	#9
71big block 1971 GMC 3/4 ton, 572 CID Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Green Bay, WI Posts: 293	Re: Whining sound source? I had the same problem but I noticed the whinning went away when my wife got out of my truck... I couldn't resist __________________ 71 GMC 3/4 572 CID, 1988 GMC 1/2 2006 Saturn Vue "We always have parts left over on a job this size"

12-16-2007, 04:58 PM	#10
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,498	Re: Whining sound source? Have you tried driving without your wife in the passenger seat? Maybe stick her in the back? Or leave her at home? Does the whine go away? __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.



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