I put in an Alpine stereo and had a problem finding a good grounding spot for the harness. I did find a screw with a nut on it inside the stereo opening alittle down to the right. It was a b!tch to get a socket in there, but I did. I now get the typical ground loop whine on FM and XM. Has anyone found a good ground?

 

Just hooking the black wire to the stock ground wire that was grounding the factory radio didn't work for you?

 

If you pull the shifter boot there is a ground stud in that area.

 

Believe or not, I didn't do that! I've always had more success using a separate ground for new HU's and amps. I will go back and try it, though. Thanks.

 

Switched the ground wires to the harness and I'm still getting a ground loop problem. Not sure if it's the XM unit.

 

It's probably being introduced through the antenna or XM hideaway unit. Is the XM box mounted or screwed down in to metal? Is the antenna grounded?

Disconnect the Antenna, if that doesn't make it stop then disconnect the XM. One of these should stop the noise, then you'll know what the source of it is. If you wire up the HU to the factory harness, there really is no way you should get ground noise.

 

Thanks, NE. I will try that. Actually, you could be right about the antenna. I don't have it connected yet since I need to buy an antenna adapter.

 

That's probably the reason. These Euro type antennas are part of the Ground Isolation Loop. I think there are actually 4 grounds including the antenna. Any stereo shop will have the adapter you need for a reasonable price. I'd be willing to bet that's the source of the noise.