Engine Whine and Ground Loops

ASimPerson

So I've had this problem with 2 different iPod car adapters - when I'm listening to it through the AUX jack in my car (a 2006 Scion tC) I can hear a distinctive "whine" over the speakers that gets stronger with I hit the gas and gets softer when I let off it.

So I finally bothered to look it up online and discovered I need a ground loop isolator.

I realize this seems pretty straightforward so far, so let me get to the question part. While buying an isolator is easy enough, it seems to me the actual problem may need solving. I would guess it's an issue with the wiring in the car, either with the cigarette lighter adapter in the console or the AUX jack next to it. Is this something I could fix easily or should I just buy the adapter and be done with it?

an_alt

Don't worry about it. I don't think I've ever dealt with a car that didn't have alternator whine show up in that situation. If you had the issue running multiple amps there are a number of steps that can be taken to reduce or eliminate the whine, but there's some effort involved.

Get the ground loop isolator and don't give it a second thought.

Lord Yod

Yeah, this is something you deal with only when you're building a custom car, for any regular application you just get the isolator and thank your lucky stars that it works.