[s-cars] RE: Radio Popping Noise

[TODD KRAMER]

All with popping radios,

If the radio is emitting a popping sound when you turn it off or on or when you cycle through the CD's in your changer, this is a ground-loop issue with one (or more) of the amplifiers or the head unit.  If the pop is coming from one of the front doors, isolate the noise, and check the ground wires of that amp.  If it comes from the rear (or rear door speakers of the S6), it is probably the rear amp.  If all are making the sound, it is, most likely, the head unit.

What is happening is the electronic noise of using one of the switches (buttons) has become parasitic to the music transmission.  Typically it is harmless (but annoying), unless the volume is too loud and the sound will fracture the speaker cone/bellows.  The stock speakers are paper and most are 10+ years old.

If the radio is an aftermarket, find a way to ground it to the master grounds in either footwell.

Todd Kramer
'95 S6: a happersized jukebox on wheels (800W through 12 speakers (with room for two more))