I have an 02 stratus r/t, love the car, but so far has been a nightmare for stereo install.

I have the stock infiniti system, 4 disc in dash changer, 6.5" components up front, 6x9" rear deck.

Installed a pioneer DEH5800MP hu the other week, and everything worked great, for 3 days. Now it pops when the engine is idling. Not a whine, but pop pop pop, in time with the engine's firing sequence.

Do i need to improve the ground on the radio, or is there another problem? I'm considering upgrading the big 3 (engine to chassis ground, alternator to bat+ and bat- to chassis ground) this week when i get the chance. But i want to solve this first.

 

It could be lots of things. Generally the best thing to do is check to make sure all ground and connections are good. Then make sure no wires are cut. Are you still using the infinity amp or are you using the head unit power to push the speakers?

 

I looked under the passenger seat, but couldnt see any amp under there. I was told to make sure the RCA cables are grounded to the stereo body, relocate the stereo ground to the chassis, and make doubly sure that my sub amp is grounded properly. I know the sub amp is definitely grounded properly

 

You didnt even say youhad subs in the first post.............What all have you added to the system? and is it jst the sub that is making the noise or is it jst the speakers or is it both?

 

the subs arent popping, as far as i can hear. but i know the front components and the rear decks definitely are popping. even when the volume is extremely low. I'm going to solder an extension onto the ground wire today, and ground the head unit directly to the chassis. hopefully that will fix it for me.

 

Are the speakers powered by he headunit, the infinity amp, or an aftermarket amp?

 

If there is one, then they're powered by the infinity amp. Otherwise the headunit powers em.

(edit) the head unit is now grounded directly to the chassis, just below the forward end of the center console, on the floor panels. Clean metal and a sheet metal screw holding things together. Sub amp is now grounded better too, but for diagnostic purposes, the amp is disconnected. Popping still occurring.

 

ok well we can eliminate the sub and amp as the problem then. Now you said you had the infinity system, so unless you ran new wires directly to the speakers the stock amp is powering them. It will be a bit of a hassle, but what you need to do is first make sure all the connections behind the headunit are secure and there are no loose wires or anything. Next if all is good hook up the rear speakers directly to the headunit's rear speaker outputs. The reason I say rear is ,bcuz all you really have to do is buy some wire at wal-mart or w/e and run it to the back speakers....dont hide the wire or anything this is jst to see if the popping stops, so once you have the wire jst run over the back seat hooked up to the speakers see if the poping stops. If it does then you know its the stock amp and you can either then locate it and maybe find a problem or jst bypass it and run new speaker wire from the head unit.....have fun

Edit-does this only happen when idleing or does it get faster with the rpm's?

 

I just found out i need an amp integration harness that takes the front/rear rca outs from the HU and converts them to DIN connector inputs for the amp. Thanks for the help guys!!!!

 

So you do have the factory amp afterall.......how was is hooked up first then?