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View Full Version : Car audio amp/sub problem


Jersthecool
07-14-2013, 07:51 PM
For any audio enthusiasts out there maybe you'll be able to figure this one out. Just went out today and bought a wiring kit, sub and box combo and amp and don't understand what I'm doing wrong or what I'm missing.

The amp turns on and off but I'm not getting anything to the sub..
So this is what I've done,
-Wired power wire to battery positive and added the inline fuse then connected to amp
-Grounded the ground wire in the trunk and connected to amp
-Connected the RCA cables first to the rear output then the subwoofer outputs
-Connected the other end to the input ports on the amp
-Connected the on/off signal wire to the deck and amp
-Connected 1 speaker wire to positive on the amp, 1 wire to negative
-Took the other end of the speaker wires and connected to those spring connections on the back of the box

Did all that and no luck the amp turns on and off with the car but the sub isn't giving me anything. I've tried switching the rca cables from rear to sw on the deck, the "subwoofer" option is turned on, on the deck, tried adjusting all the knobs on the amp and I still can't get it to work any suggestions?

Jersthecool
07-14-2013, 09:55 PM
So I tried a few different things my speaker output on the sub goes ++-- so at first I had it on 1 and 3 and I tried 1 and 4 and grounded my amp a lot better (ground down the metal) and if I crank my music the sub moves the tiniest bit you can't even see it and if you put your ear up to it you can just hear it the smallest bit but still no luck

DennisS
07-14-2013, 10:34 PM
Yeah, I was going to suggest to find bare metal for the amps ground. If the sub movies slightly, look around on the amp or the head unit for bass boost, something to crank it up? Iv'e blown my voice coils where my amp turns on but my sub doesn't work, maybe that's the problem?

Felipe
07-14-2013, 11:25 PM
look around on the amp or the head unit for bass boost, something to crank it up?

That was my tought...

Mikester
07-15-2013, 07:33 AM
Verify that where you have your ground connected is indeed a good ground. I ground my amps/subs to the rear seatbelt bolt(s).

If you hear the music faintly, the amp may be getting enough power to light the 'ON' light, but not enough to amplify until a good enough ground is present. I know you grounded it to bare metal already, but you may want to put a meter on it just to be sure.

Also, check all of your connections and any splices you may have added to the system.

You can also recheck the directions that came with the kit... If you have everything hooked up and checked electrically; maybe it's as simple as a defective amp.

blkvrtswp
07-15-2013, 08:09 AM
Check your amp GAINS. Should have a knob to set gain to match head unit output signal for each channel. Don't crank them up past 50% unless you know what you are doing..... <cough> easy way to blow subs.

Also crossovers could be set wrong.

cotbu
07-15-2013, 08:26 AM
Type of amp so we can look up the manual.
pictures or video of you installation.
Manually trigger the radio wire, not through the head unit.
Is the amp bridgeable?
Is it new?
The amp could be blown!
The head unit settings correct?
I have a phantom amp with a boss remote,
I don't know, but I'll check. That if I were to turn the level down and disconnect the remote will the amp still power the speakers? I know you won't be able to manually control the amp, but maybe it'll be full power and not just off.
PS if you're grounding it to the chassis anywhere and you are having issues with grounding, you have other issues because the car's chassis should be one big ground.

G240
07-15-2013, 08:37 AM
Also check and see if the RCA outputs from the radio are on. Should be in the radio settings.

Alamo_City_210
07-15-2013, 09:47 AM
do you have the remote wire connected, i beleive it is blue. at least it is on mine. from the amp to the radio. I have had my system disconnected for some time now but i know if i were to remove the blue remote wire, the subs will not bass. i have P1000 RF, 2 15' Q-power and a 0ga amp kit. something is not connected right, you have a very simple setup just like mine. i doubt its your ground as i used to have mine grounded to the rear seat support on the body which was painted, never had an issue.

Edit: i did not have this installed in a 240, it was in my cutlass but im sure its the same. never put a system in the 240, sold it.

cotbu
07-15-2013, 10:03 AM
The radio wire I referred too is the blue remote wire trigger for the amp from radio. XD

Sent from a Highly Tuned SIII using Tapatalk HD

godsmack
07-15-2013, 03:33 PM
Yes check that blue remote wire. Check for continuity from end to end to make sure the wire isn't broke somewhere. I had that problem and same issues you have now. Just ran a new remote wire since the original was within the rca wires and fixed my problem.