Help with led and ballast issue

[94badbird]

My neon bar in my 98 didn't work when I bought it..about 3 months ago my wife was using my car and I watched her drive away ( at dusk) and I think she had the auto lights on and to my amazement my led was lit.i have never been able to get it to light up again for me.
I did lots of research and thought maybe it was my ballast because I would unplug it and plug it back it and the neon would flash for a quick second.
So I ended up trading for what was told was a working ballast, installed it and my brakes lights went out and I couldn't get my car out of park. So I disconnected the ballast and replaced the fuses.
Now, he sent me a verified working ballast and it should be here tomorrow. I been reading about removing the wire mesh completely off it as it causes issues I just had if it touches metal,which I know it is as it was attached to my ground on the ballast that the tiny screw goes onto..is that correct or should I cut off all that mesh or should I wrap it all in electric tape and tuck it away..
I just don't want to wreck a good ballast, if it's even the problem..
I do have some pretty bad interference through my speakers too, I know that mesh has something to do with that, how can I clear out that damn hissing noise? I have a lot invested in my sound system to have any unwanted noise.

 

[Lownslowlsc]

My neon bar in my 98 didn't work when I bought it..about 3 months ago my wife was using my car and I watched her drive away ( at dusk) and I think she had the auto lights on and to my amazement my led was lit.i have never been able to get it to light up again for me.
I did lots of research and thought maybe it was my ballast because I would unplug it and plug it back it and the neon would flash for a quick second.
So I ended up trading for what was told was a working ballast, installed it and my brakes lights went out and I couldn't get my car out of park. So I disconnected the ballast and replaced the fuses.
Now, he sent me a verified working ballast and it should be here tomorrow. I been reading about removing the wire mesh completely off it as it causes issues I just had if it touches metal,which I know it is as it was attached to my ground on the ballast that the tiny screw goes onto..is that correct or should I cut off all that mesh or should I wrap it all in electric tape and tuck it away..
I just don't want to wreck a good ballast, if it's even the problem..
I do have some pretty bad interference through my speakers too, I know that mesh has something to do with that, how can I clear out that damn hissing noise? I have a lot invested in my sound system to have any unwanted noise.

The quick flash of the Neon (Not led) is a sign of a bad ballast. It isn't usually a sign of a bad connection though it is possible.

I replaced mine with an oem unit and cut the mesh off flush with the taillight panel and put a piece of tape over what was left. It has been fine for years. I can't say I hear an increase in static when the radio is on. To be honest I don't find myself listening to the radio all that much. Iirc, it only effects am though I could be wrong.

If you have an aftermarket system the problem may lie somewhere in the components, especially if listening to music via thumcrive/phone ect.

Do you have a Pioneer deck by chance? Is it the oh so common "alternator whine" that you are experiencing?

 

[94badbird]

Actually I do have a pioneer touch screen dvd..

- - - Updated - - -

Yes I do have a pioneer actually..a touch screen dvd player ect..

 

[Lownslowlsc]

Actually I do have a pioneer touch screen dvd..

- - - Updated - - -

Yes I do have a pioneer actually..a touch screen dvd player ect..

Does the noise increase and decrease with rpm no matter what source (radio,cd, bt ect) you're using?

Also, are you using aftermarket amps? Pioneer units are (Were?) known for bad "pico fuses" for the pre-outs and will make the above noise. If you have a aftermarket radio with oem speakers and amp it's possible that the oem amplifier is failing.

 

[94badbird]

I used a pioneer dvd head unit,don't remember brand interiors, Wal-Mart wireharness scricho??? Hifonics amp,typeR subi forgot the gauge wire but size under 0..
I'm not 100% sure if that Wal-Mart harness utilizes the stock amp or the internal one on the head unit. The static/fuzz is steady at any volume ,any source and doesn't increase or decrease no matter what i do so i dont think its with the alternator.i also have my wires that run to the amp divided . Rca wire runs along top of tunnel under carpet and power wire and remote wire run along side of car all through and under the back seat ( where I found the build sheet). The sub has no interference through it,just the interiors. It's not bad, you can't hear it over my exhaust or engine while under normal acceleration and it does go away when I **** off my head unit..i will fiddle with the new ballast and stuff this weekend...
Any other tips I should do or stuff I might be over looking? My neon looks good with no moisture ,broken pieces in it or anything..