EMG pickup installation trouble

[nocebo]

trying to install EMG 85, S, and EMG 81 in an Ibanez S540.
i've been following this diagram:

i think i've wired everything right. the sound i get when plugged in is a barely audible, distorted sound when i hit a string.
i've tried to following since i've gotten it wired:
replacing old 9v with new one.
wiring switch opposite way.
rewiring poles on input jack.
do i need a different input jack than the ibanez jack? the ibanez jack has 3 prongs on it. or maybe it's an EMG, since the guitar had two EMGs in when i got it.
i don't know what else could be wrong. i had to practically hammer the knobs onto the pots. could that have damaged them?

colin
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[Akhenaten]

One thing that happens often with EMG wiring is that people overheat the main pickup wires to solder them to the back of the pot. Sometimes it melts the thing really badly and you get interference because the metal woven shielding is contacting the wire now that the white shield is melted.

It's hard to tell without seeing you guitar. If you changed the wiring on the jack, and it didn't help, then that's not it. For the most part these systems come prewired, so the wiring to the pots should be fine. And generally, you shouldn't have to hammer your knobs on...lol

Do you have a digital camera to take a picture of the electronics cavity? If you tried rewiring the jack did you do it short pole=output, medium pole=battery (red) and long pole=ground? By "Ibanez jack" I assume you mean the barrel type. Either way, a pic would help...

[nocebo]

yeah, i'll borrow a digital camera to take a pic.
i think only the newer EMG systems come pre-wired.
mine was used, anyway.

colin

[nocebo]

yeah, i got the output jack wired right. wahoo.
also, the ground wire from the trem is just hanging out not attached. EMG says they like it this way.
the cavity is VERY tight with the battery wedged in there, but at least things won't be knocking around.

colin

[Akhenaten]

If it's TOO tight and the battery is touching any of the wires or switches, that will cause a ground issue...check that. If the wires are thrashed and melted from the pickups, and they're wired with those "quick-connect" wires, you can replace those. Any EMG dealer can get them for you. Also check those to see they aren't attached backwards. They aren't supposed to go on backwards, they will if you make them...lol

EMG's are a self-contained system as far as the grounding goes. That's why you don't need the wire from the trem claw. I usually remove it.