After installing my setup, I learned some things about the HHR that may help others with an aftermarket install in their HHR.

First tip:

When I was done installing everything I tested the audio and everything was fantastic. Then I turned the vehicle on and OH SNAP! Engine whine was coming through the speakers Every time I revved the engine up I could hear it through the door speakers.

After troubleshooting and consulting the install guys at Best Buy and Circuit City I narrowed it down to the RCA's. Here's a problem you may run into with wiring on the HHR. The Battery, as we all know, is in the back. The pos. cable starts on the passengers side and somewhere midway on the HHR is crosses over to the drivers side. The cable comes up the drivers side kick panel and into the engine compartment.

If you run audio wires, RCA's, through the drivers side you may get some engine whine. I had to take everything apart, all my audio wires where on the drivers side, and move all RCA's and speaker wires to the passengers side. Now you don't want to take all the way back to the cargo area because eventually you're going to run into the battery cable again. I ran mine behind the rear seat and down the middle of the cargo area.

Also I noticed that the negative battery cable was bolted to the HHR frame on a painted metal bracket. Not good. I removed the bolt, it's right next to the battery, and sanded it to bare metal. After I reinstalled everything I tested it with the engine on and no mo engine whine

Summary...Ground on the HHR sux!

FUDGE! Everything had to come out after I thought I was done!


Ng

 

Great tip...thanks for the info.

 

Amps:

I'm ecstatic with my Infiintiy amps but they do have a draw back. They are long for the HHR. And they have the RCA hookups, 12v, negative, and speaker hookups on the different sides. My amps sit tight against the side panels.

I would recommend amps that have all their wire connections on one side so you can set them up side by side. Most JL Audio amps are like that. I saw a Kenwood with all the connections on one side too. To make adjustments to my amps I would have to remove the screws that I put to bolt them to the amp rack and move the amps for room. So I had to do all my adjustments prior to installing the false floor and plexiglass because now it's set it and forget it.

Summary...save you're pennies and buy JL Audio amps Like CJ has. Those are some nice amps. But I love the looks of mine and they sound great. Plus the price was right. And they match my neon light

Tight fit but love em




Ng

 

How to apply Vinyl to your custom set up...I got the idea at the Crutchfield website where they go over how to apply Vinyl to a sub box.

LINK

NG

 

You the Man!!!!

Thanks for the link and tips. Love the set up you got going.
Keep it up!!!

 

If you look at photos of my setup you'll see I placed raised Infinity logos not only as decorations but to fill in some voids. I also picked that up at the Crutchfied advisor website, click the LINK below the pik...



LINK

Ng

 

How to install HHR steering wheel controls for your aftermarket stereo:

LINK

NG

 

yup I'm having the same issues with engine whine as well. I guess its time to rip up the car and rewire the RCA's. I ran the install this weekend and kept both the RCAs and speaker wires (coming from amp) and ran them in the middle console of the car to the back seat.

 

PNOY do this first! Follow the negative cable coming off the battery. It's bolted to a bracket that's welded to the frame. If you look closely that bracket is covered in paint. Remove the bolt holding the negative cable and grab some sand paper and remove the paint on that bracket to bare metal. That way you have a clean connection from the frame to the ground on the battery.

Like I said before, ground on HHR's sux's

Ng

 

thanks NG. I'll check that first. Will let you know today what the outcome is.