Another f**king stereo question, need a stereo EXPERT Options

[ninefourteener]

Last night I had Best Buy install some stereo equipment in my car. All of it was 100% new, and unopened, so it's highly unlikely anything was defective.

Already installed is a VERY nice Pioneer 8500 CD player

Installed a JVC 500 watt 4-channel amp. Not overly expensive, but not junk either.

Installed 4 brand new Pioneer 6.5 inch 3-way speakers in the factory holes.

In addition to my passenger door not opening from the inside, there are several other problems:

1) I can turn the volume about as loud as it was without an amp.... whether I use the volume on the amp or the stereo. Once I go above that, the stereo "shuts off" when bass hits, or.......

2) Occasionally, I'll get this rediculously loud "squelching" sound that won't go away until I turn the car off.

3) I spend $80 on a Rockford Fosgate insulated Amp wiring kit, but I still have alternator whine.

I have an appointment today to get their best technician (15 years experience) to "re-do" the entire thing... but I'd like to have a basic knowledge of what "could" be wrong. Basically, I'd like to know some good questions to ask, or solutions to recommend.

Please don't respond if you're just "guessing". If you're very familar with how this stuff works, I'd really appreciate any help you can provide. I'm not doing any work, but I don't want to just look stupid not knowing what to ask, and accepting whatever they tell me. Thanks.

Matt

[Pnambic]

I know you said you don't want guesses, but thats pretty much all we can offer since we weren't there during install. Read on if you like.

The issue may not be with the stereo set up (though a half farad capacitor prolly wouldn't hurt, especially after you add a sub). Have the alternator and battery tested. Places like Autozone and Advance Auto Parts will do it for free. I killed an alternator and battery with a new stereo setup about 8 years ago and it acted very similar to what you're talking about, but I never had a squelch...

If you check the alternator and battery before you go to Best Buy, at least you won't be laying in on the guy if its not his fault. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Also, just b/c its new doesn't mean there's not a defect. It happens. Make sure they switch out the big stuff like the amp, run alternative wiring straight to the battery outside the car to make sure none of the wiring was damaged when they ran it, you know, the usual troubleshooting stuff.



Almost afraid to admit it, but in high school, I custom built a box to turn the entire trunk of my little hatchback into a 4-compartment sub/speaker box. Had 2 12" Kickers and 2 6x9 Pioneers using a combined 7 cubic feet. All ran by a 300 watt Jensen amp (I know, cheap crap). It was loud....I'm glad I grew out of that though. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

That stereo may have been the death of that car since it was so loud, that I didn't hear the death cries when a rod broke, puctured the oil pan and all the oil drained out on my way to school one morning. I didn't know anything was wrong until the engine seized. Live and learn I guess.