Aux in ground loop noise

[xavierq]

Any device I connect to this that is also powered through the cigarette lighter (XM Radio, iPod, etc) gets horrible ground loop noise to the point I can't use the device.

Does anyone have a good solution to this? A filter is going to ruin my sound response and cutting the ground is just insanely unsafe. Maybe someone's found a way to easily reroute the ground somehow?

[TinyGiant]

ground loop isolator?

[xavierq]

Yes, but I've been told that reduces your high frequency response as well. I was hoping there was a solution that didn't degrade the quality of the signal in the process.

[RUFFSTUFF]

I've heard of this issue for almost every stereo I've come across with an AUX IN jack, in other cars as well. Some cars got smart and included a USB port instead of an AUX IN to get around this.

I just play Mp3 discs and go about my bidness.

[talnlnky]

1 work around (should work) and 1 fix (which if done correctly should fix the problem).

Work around - if you plug something into the aux (i.e. Ipod) don't have it charging, or running off the cars power (i.e. cig lighter). That's how the voltage differential is created. If the deck & the Device run off different power sources, there won't be a voltage differential.

Fix - Upgrade the power & ground cables to the deck.. Stock is 16 or 18awg... Upgrade them to 12awg. This will reduce the amount of resistence in the wire, and thus reduce voltage loss.
Then upgrade the power & ground wires to the cig lighter (or however you are powering the device). Not sure what awg cable the cig lighter uses..,, but going with a thicker cable will reduce the amount of resistance/voltage loss.

The goal is to get the voltage at the deck to be exactly the same as the voltage at the cigarette lighter. The closer you get the voltage differences, the less you will hear any wierd noise due to a voltage differential.

[RUFFSTUFF]

Pioneer AVH-P4100DVD should do the trick...

[xavierq]

@ruffstuff a USB port only helps if you're playing from a pen drive. (though I have considered connecting a usb card reader to one). Honestly, the best solution there (at least for me) would be a stereo with bluetooth support.

MP3 CD's are what I do for music on disc, but I also want to use the port for XM (instead of the FM transceiver) to increase sound quality.

And I am NOT fixing the problem buy installing a $700 deck. Even if it is double din so it'd fit right in the Yaris dash, and has bluetooth... I said no! Stop convincing me!

@talnlnky
For the XM unit I used the FM transceiver instead of the aux in. For the other unit I do what you said and just don't charge it while playing. That's ok if I'm just playing MP3s, but if I'm streaming Pandora it drains my battery incredibly fast. I'd really like it to be powered.

I suppose rewiring both systems completely would lower the voltage differential between the points. I wonder how much trouble that is, though.

Maybe replacing the deck really is the answer.

[RUFFSTUFF]

@ruffstuff a USB port only helps if you're playing from a pen drive. (though I have considered connecting a usb card reader to one). Honestly, the best solution there (at least for me) would be a stereo with bluetooth support.

MP3 CD's are what I do for music on disc, but I also want to use the port for XM (instead of the FM transceiver) to increase sound quality.

And I am NOT fixing the problem buy installing a $700 deck. Even if it is double din so it'd fit right in the Yaris dash, and has bluetooth... I said no! Stop convincing me!

@talnlnky
For the XM unit I used the FM transceiver instead of the aux in. For the other unit I do what you said and just don't charge it while playing. That's ok if I'm just playing MP3s, but if I'm streaming Pandora it drains my battery incredibly fast. I'd really like it to be powered.

I suppose rewiring both systems completely would lower the voltage differential between the points. I wonder how much trouble that is, though.

Maybe replacing the deck really is the answer.


1. Partially correct. If you have a USB Mp3 player then it will play and charge through the USB port on an equipped stereo.

2. AVH-P4100DVD = $430 shipped the Bluetooth module costs extra.

3. Rewiring your stereo? Not hard, just need to wire in a new 12v constant line & ground line. Same thing for your lighter.

[TinyGiant]

i bought the alpine ida 100 (i think it was) does the ipod control with album art. bought it locally for 200

i had a china made ebay touchscreen that had HORRIBLE line noise . i sold it to get this unit

[djct_watt]

So I just bought in 2010 Yaris in Thailand with an AUX in, and I'm happy to report that I have zero ground loop noise with it plugged into the cigarette plug charger and headphone output to the line in plug!!!!

I'm extremely satisfied!

[jdinrc]

I use a Boostaroo headphone amp, running off its own battery. This solves the ground loop issue and boosts the signal up to where I better equality between radio and aux volume.

[YarisSedan]

I think theres a service bullitin for this. (http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:XGdHy62IcjYJ:priuschat.com/forums/attachments/toyota-prius-service-bulletins-tsbs/9850d1213399147-noise-aux-port-06-08-tsb-0067-08-4.pdf+yaris+aux+noise&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEEShhP5yLw8P_p9X9Cqe99QjmjaIREE5SpxojaM6_ uexQBUUylMlELmM9sIDWzDYxE0-IPD_ajahTEe4BIFDRJx3kOl-VkYMtFuL-o2x3v3RBA0qc8Qr_OBk7chlZrsubh_4BeW_1&sig=AHIEtbTKaRryfLfXViRolDWv52M_Lb4ldA)

[Wave]

I also have this problem with my 2006 Yaris Liftback. I've had it since the car was new, and just max the volume on my phone or iPod to cover up the mains hum. I read on another site that sometimes just running a better ground cable for both the cigarette lighter and the head unit is a good option, although I don't know how feasible this is.

[AmandaCraig]

Here's a link to an article on this issue and a TSB from Toyota:

bwave.ca/2011/06/10/toyotas-whining-noise-from-the-aux-port

[ROCKLANDTOYOTA]

TSB from toyota replaces AUX port with new one.......

3 years/ 36,000 miles only though