alternator noise

[dmccord]

Was going to make a trip this weekend. Before we left, i plugged a new phone of mine in to the aux jack to play some music. this was the first time for this particular phone. When i tried to play a song thru the Aux. , there was terrible alternator noise. I unplugged it immediately and decided i would just listen to radio. The alternator noise was still there and is terrible. Never had the noise before this instance. I am stumped, any ideas?

 

[dmccord]

Just to be a little clearer, the noise i am talking about is in my intercom[helmet speakers]. Can't hear anything with helmet off, except normal alternator whining.

 

[Gold Rush]

Dan you might have a ground loop issue... Are you running any sort of phone charger at the same time you are plugged into the AUX input? That is when the ground loop problem usually shows up. There are several sources for Ground Loop isolators. Radio Shack and Electrical Connections are just two that come to mind quickly. I've experienced that problem a couple times. Right now I don't have anything doing it thank God!! :xszpv::xszpv:

 

[dmccord]

No, nothing else plugged in. Hope this isn't too dumb of a question, where do i install the ground loop?

 

[Gold Rush]

No, nothing else plugged in. Hope this isn't too dumb of a question, where do i install the ground loop?

They go between the phone earplug jack and the AUX input. Make sure you get the one with the 3.5mm input jack and output plug. To be honest I don't know if that is your problem because I've never seen it happen when the audio source was running on it's internal battery. I guess you could try that fix for giggles and grins. Let us know if that does fix it. That would be good to know information for sure. You might try a different input source to eliminate or verify that at least.

Good Luck!! :xszpv::xszpv:

 

[dmccord]

I unplugged the phone from the jack, it isn't connected to anything. Even when i turn everything off except for intercom, it is very loud whining in headsets for both of us.

 

[Gold Rush]

I unplugged the phone from the jack, it isn't connected to anything. Even when i turn everything off except for intercom, it is very loud whining in headsets for both of us.

OH... Now we are talking a totally different problem. Only thing I can think of is to check and see if somehow the intercom volume setting didn't get maxed out and you mic is picking up the alternator whining. I know just on normal level it picks up some... I think I usually set it on 10 or 11.

 

[Missouri Charley]

You might want to clean and tighten your battery cables.

 

[dmccord]

My intercom level stays on 12. I did think of that and dbl checked it as well. Mo. Charley, i put a new battery on about 2 months back, but i will definitely check that out. I stopped by Honda store today and talked to service manager and my problem is a first for him. Told me i need to bring it to him and leave it and he would probably have to call Honda while he had my bike in his shop. Only problem, now i want to ride. Charley, are you going to Eureka Springs next month. Hope to see ya there.

 

[ymxbgnf]

Was going to make a trip this weekend. Before we left, i plugged a new phone of mine in to the aux jack to play some music. this was the first time for this particular phone. When i tried to play a song thru the Aux. , there was terrible alternator noise. I unplugged it immediately and decided i would just listen to radio. The alternator noise was still there and is terrible. Never had the noise before this instance. I am stumped, any ideas?

Your squelch did not get turned up???

Stumpe

 

[dmccord]

I don't have a CB on my bike.

 

[Gold Rush]

This is just too strange. Problem started when you plugged new phone in but did not clear when you removed the phone connection.

I expect you have switched away from the AUX input source. If not do so and if things clear then I'd start checking wires. If you have tried other sources I'm at a loss. I can't believe the phone could actually do audio processor damage. :xszpv::xszpv:

 

[dmccord]

That is what makes it so strange. I did disconnect the phone immediately. Can switch to FM radio, but whining noise still in headset no matter what.

 

[Gold Rush]

That is what makes it so strange. I did disconnect the phone immediately. Can switch to FM radio, but whining noise still in headset no matter what.

...... That sounds expensive!!!! Sorry. Please let us know what you find causing it.

 

[keepinon]

I'm unfamiliar with the 1800's, but do their alternators have the noise suppressor on the rear as do the 1500's? I had one of those go bad once, created quite the whine, that increased/decreased with engine rpm.

 

[dmccord]

Well, I found the problem. I had a battery tenderer lead fastened to my battery. I took that off, cleaned my cable ends and put back on with socket wrench pretty doggone tight. I was not making good ground at my battery. Once I did this, all the whining in our headsets have disappeared. yeah!

 

[Gold Rush]

Well, I found the problem. I had a battery tenderer lead fastened to my battery. I took that off, cleaned my cable ends and put back on with socket wrench pretty doggone tight. I was not making good ground at my battery. Once I did this, all the whining in our headsets have disappeared. yeah!

FANTASTIC !!!! I'm so glad that was a zero cost fix. Those are the best kind ya know...... Phantom ground issues have plagued the GL1800 for a long time. Never saw that symptom but I'm beginning to think that checking the grounds if it's not an obvious fix might be the best advise. I know the grounds buried under the gas tank are infamous for causing problems. So now we add always checking the battery three times at least... :xszpv::xszpv:

 

[dmccord]

I was very anxious to post on here the problem I was having. I'd bet there are many Goldwingers out here with the same problem. It is sights like this and a couple others that really helped. I noticed on here and a couple other sights that the battery could possibly be the culprit. I was getting ready to take bike to Honda and let them explore. The Honda service manager hadn't even heard of this. I need to call him. lol Thanks again for all the responses.

 

[Missouri Charley]

I was very anxious to post on here the problem I was having. I'd bet there are many Goldwingers out here with the same problem. It is sights like this and a couple others that really helped. I noticed on here and a couple other sights that the battery could possibly be the culprit. I was getting ready to take bike to Honda and let them explore. The Honda service manager hadn't even heard of this. I need to call him. lol Thanks again for all the responses.

Anytime there is an electrical problem the battery is the first thing to check. Loose or dirty cables can cause all types of weird things to happen.