Install issue on 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid
09-20-2009, 06:42 PM
#1
0 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 8
Install issue on 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid
I recently purchased a 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid car. Nice car, but the factory stereo didn't cut it (In Canada, they sell the car with a basic am/fm/cd system...you don't get the BOSE system that the same Hybrid car has in the states).
Anyways, in saying that, I went out and had the following items installed into my car: (note that I kept the factory deck as I wanted to keep the general look and feel of the car stock).
- RE-Q5 (installed under front dash of car near factory deck)
- Eclipse XA4200 amp (installed on passenger side of trunk)
- Eclipse SC6500 speakers (tweeters are separate - they go in the dash and the 6.5" speakers go in each front door)
- Eclipse SP6910 speakers (6x9 speakers for rear)
My local stereo place installed everything this weekend but there are some issues with noise. The car is making a "humming/buzzing" noise from the time that I start it. It's pretty quiet but I can still hear it. Also, when I go to the shut the car off, the car may make a "beep" noise through the stereo (it's not constant, but occassionally). It's hard to describe it exactly.
Before I had everything installed, I asked the shop if they had done work on Hybrids and they had said "yes". After this installation, I did take the car back the next day and the installer did some adjustments on the RE-Q5 but then told me that I need to come back as he has to order some items for grounding it better (I forget the name that he called them). He also said that he may have to move the RE-Q5 (he put it under the dash...it's quite well hidden).
Some of the noise did go away but the installer also said it's because I have a hybrid car, that that's some of the reason for the noise.
I'm heard from others (and have read) that when you install a stereo system, that there should not be any noise/static, etc. I will say that it's not overbearing/loud, but still, with todays technology and what I paid for everything, the system should be as quiet as it was prior to having everything installed.
I'm looking for help/feedback on the above. Please ensure that you are familiar with a hybrid (as I'm told that that is the reason for the noise and that it makes a difference!). Can the system not be grounded better? The installer also said that there was interference from the large battery that was causing the static. Can the wires not be insulated better so they don't pick up any external noise/interference from the car?
Appreciate any knowledgable/technical feedback. I am going back this week to the shop once those grounding items come in, but I would like to come back with more information (or solutions) for solving the noise/static.
Thanks,
Anyways, in saying that, I went out and had the following items installed into my car: (note that I kept the factory deck as I wanted to keep the general look and feel of the car stock).
- RE-Q5 (installed under front dash of car near factory deck)
- Eclipse XA4200 amp (installed on passenger side of trunk)
- Eclipse SC6500 speakers (tweeters are separate - they go in the dash and the 6.5" speakers go in each front door)
- Eclipse SP6910 speakers (6x9 speakers for rear)
My local stereo place installed everything this weekend but there are some issues with noise. The car is making a "humming/buzzing" noise from the time that I start it. It's pretty quiet but I can still hear it. Also, when I go to the shut the car off, the car may make a "beep" noise through the stereo (it's not constant, but occassionally). It's hard to describe it exactly.
Before I had everything installed, I asked the shop if they had done work on Hybrids and they had said "yes". After this installation, I did take the car back the next day and the installer did some adjustments on the RE-Q5 but then told me that I need to come back as he has to order some items for grounding it better (I forget the name that he called them). He also said that he may have to move the RE-Q5 (he put it under the dash...it's quite well hidden).
Some of the noise did go away but the installer also said it's because I have a hybrid car, that that's some of the reason for the noise.
I'm heard from others (and have read) that when you install a stereo system, that there should not be any noise/static, etc. I will say that it's not overbearing/loud, but still, with todays technology and what I paid for everything, the system should be as quiet as it was prior to having everything installed.
I'm looking for help/feedback on the above. Please ensure that you are familiar with a hybrid (as I'm told that that is the reason for the noise and that it makes a difference!). Can the system not be grounded better? The installer also said that there was interference from the large battery that was causing the static. Can the wires not be insulated better so they don't pick up any external noise/interference from the car?
Appreciate any knowledgable/technical feedback. I am going back this week to the shop once those grounding items come in, but I would like to come back with more information (or solutions) for solving the noise/static.
Thanks,
Last edited by cruiser64; 09-20-2009 at 06:48 PM.
09-20-2009, 06:58 PM
#2
0 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 8
One other question:
If I don't get satisfaction from my stereo shop, can I take my car to another shop and have them look at it? I ask this because there is only one place in my town that sells Eclipse and would another shop be willing to look at someone else's problems?
If I don't get satisfaction from my stereo shop, can I take my car to another shop and have them look at it? I ask this because there is only one place in my town that sells Eclipse and would another shop be willing to look at someone else's problems?
09-21-2009, 07:34 PM
#3
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 223
Where did they mount your amp?
All installers know to run power wires down one side of the car and the audio wires down the other side.However, that is not always done. sometimes they will run all the wires down the same side to save time. sometimes you can get away with it but it can cause some serious static issues.Also a poor ground could be your problem.
Most likely its the (RE-Q5) those things are picky with there mounting locations.
The large battery is not you problem. I have built systems with a ton of power and a ton of batters. now the generator that keeps the battery's charged may cause the static if there wires run close to the stereo ones.
All installers know to run power wires down one side of the car and the audio wires down the other side.However, that is not always done. sometimes they will run all the wires down the same side to save time. sometimes you can get away with it but it can cause some serious static issues.Also a poor ground could be your problem.
Most likely its the (RE-Q5) those things are picky with there mounting locations.
The large battery is not you problem. I have built systems with a ton of power and a ton of batters. now the generator that keeps the battery's charged may cause the static if there wires run close to the stereo ones.
09-21-2009, 07:37 PM
#4
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 223
One other question:
If I don't get satisfaction from my stereo shop, can I take my car to another shop and have them look at it? I ask this because there is only one place in my town that sells Eclipse and would another shop be willing to look at someone else's problems?
If I don't get satisfaction from my stereo shop, can I take my car to another shop and have them look at it? I ask this because there is only one place in my town that sells Eclipse and would another shop be willing to look at someone else's problems?
09-21-2009, 10:04 PM
#5
0 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 8
Where did they mount your amp?
All installers know to run power wires down one side of the car and the audio wires down the other side.However, that is not always done. sometimes they will run all the wires down the same side to save time. sometimes you can get away with it but it can cause some serious static issues.Also a poor ground could be your problem.
Most likely its the (RE-Q5) those things are picky with there mounting locations.
The large battery is not you problem. I have built systems with a ton of power and a ton of batters. now the generator that keeps the battery's charged may cause the static if there wires run close to the stereo ones.
All installers know to run power wires down one side of the car and the audio wires down the other side.However, that is not always done. sometimes they will run all the wires down the same side to save time. sometimes you can get away with it but it can cause some serious static issues.Also a poor ground could be your problem.
Most likely its the (RE-Q5) those things are picky with there mounting locations.
The large battery is not you problem. I have built systems with a ton of power and a ton of batters. now the generator that keeps the battery's charged may cause the static if there wires run close to the stereo ones.
The amp was installed in the trunk....it's on the passenger side.
The RE-Q5 is installed under the dash. The installer did say that the figures that the noise problems is coming from the RE-Q5.
The installer mentioned something about some ground type of devices that he was going to install to see if they would remove the static (I forget the exact name that he gave them).
Any other advice? If my original installer doesn't work, I will probably seek out another place in town to check everything.
Question: In the stereo business, (since there is no "written contract"), what is the expectation of customer satisfaction....and is there any kind of guarantee? If they say "we tried...and we can't get it any better...so you will always have noise"...what can I say or do? What recourse do I have if I want to raise a stink?
Appreciate any feedback.
thanks.
09-22-2009, 11:32 AM
#6
Yankee
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,599
well is this a ground issue (alternator whine) or is this a noise induction issue (noise being broadcast into the system) or is it something unique to the dual voltage system of a hybrid?
I am asking more than telling as this is a learning curve for those who buy hybrid or electric cars.
I am guessing he was discussing a ground loop isolator?
I am asking more than telling as this is a learning curve for those who buy hybrid or electric cars.
I am guessing he was discussing a ground loop isolator?
09-22-2009, 12:05 PM
#7
I would eliminate the REQ5 at this point and try a Audio Control 6XS, see if that solves the issue. I highly doubt that the issue is specific to a Hybrid type of vehicle, the vehicle still operates with the same voltage as any other vehicle on the road.....
09-22-2009, 07:47 PM
#9
0 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 8
well is this a ground issue (alternator whine) or is this a noise induction issue (noise being broadcast into the system) or is it something unique to the dual voltage system of a hybrid?
I am asking more than telling as this is a learning curve for those who buy hybrid or electric cars.
I am guessing he was discussing a ground loop isolator?
I am asking more than telling as this is a learning curve for those who buy hybrid or electric cars.
I am guessing he was discussing a ground loop isolator?
It is a ground loop isolator that the shop is going to get for me. I am taking the car back this Friday and they will be installing them for me....hopefully this will correct the noise issue.
Can somebody tell me the difference between the item from Audio Control and the RE-Q5. From what I understand, they both do the same thing...so why would the Audio Control not have a noise issue as well ?
I am still looking for feedback from other installers about customer satisfaction. What recourse do I have if there is a noise issue (once the ground loop isolators are installed)?
Thanks for the feedback thus far.
Cruiser
09-22-2009, 11:15 PM
#10
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 223
It is a steady noise..whether the stereo is on or not...it starts when the car starts (whether it's running on the electric engine or the gas engine).
It is a ground loop isolator that the shop is going to get for me. I am taking the car back this Friday and they will be installing them for me....hopefully this will correct the noise issue.
Can somebody tell me the difference between the item from Audio Control and the RE-Q5. From what I understand, they both do the same thing...so why would the Audio Control not have a noise issue as well ?
I am still looking for feedback from other installers about customer satisfaction. What recourse do I have if there is a noise issue (once the ground loop isolators are installed)?
Thanks for the feedback thus far.
Cruiser
It is a ground loop isolator that the shop is going to get for me. I am taking the car back this Friday and they will be installing them for me....hopefully this will correct the noise issue.
Can somebody tell me the difference between the item from Audio Control and the RE-Q5. From what I understand, they both do the same thing...so why would the Audio Control not have a noise issue as well ?
I am still looking for feedback from other installers about customer satisfaction. What recourse do I have if there is a noise issue (once the ground loop isolators are installed)?
Thanks for the feedback thus far.
Cruiser
