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Really weird amp problem...

  • Thread starter Thread starter keybrdcowboy1
  • Start date Start date May 9, 2008

keybrdcowboy1

BestAvatarEver.
Founding Member
Mar 30, 2000
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Northern VA
May 9, 2008
#1
  • May 9, 2008
  • #1
Hopefully someone out there can help me out. I am experiencing some really weird amp problems that I cannot figure out.

I have two amps, one powering the door speakers and one for the subs. Everything has been in the car for over a year and working fine. Just last week I started having a problem where BOTH amps would shut off at exactly the same time. There are no power lights lit up on the amps. They are completely off. Then after some random amount of time, they will come back on and everything is good. Then they turn off again. This problem is really starting to annoy me.

Last night I did a bunch of troubleshooting. First thing I checked was to make sure that the remote power wire running from the head unit to the amps had a signal. It did.... 12 volts. Then I checked power. I have one 4 ga wire running from the batter to the back to a power distribution block. From there it splits into two 8 ga (I think 8) wires, one running to each amp. Checking power at the distribution block, everything good there. 12 volts. Next I made sure the ground was working.... seems to work fine. Ran a jumper wire to a different ground and that didn't do anything. So I am completely lost as to what the problem is. Those are the only three things that should control power to the amps, and they were all fine. It can't be heat because BOTH amps wouldn't turn off and on at the exact same time, and also because it will happen right away.

Does anyone have any ideas about this? I am totally stumped and tired of not having sound..... Any help would be appreciated.

On a side note, I have another weird amp question, maybe related. I noticed on my smaller amp that it works fine (when it does power on) WITHOUT the ground wire connected. I have never seen that happen either... how in the world does it have power when the ground wire is not hooked up? Thanks for any help.
 

Supradude26

New Member
Oct 11, 2005
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May 9, 2008
#2
  • May 9, 2008
  • #2
To answer your last questions, some amps will power on with no ground wire because they see a ground path on the RCA shield that is grounded in the deck. As far as the main problem you are having, I assume you were doing you troubleshooting when the deck was on and the amps were "not working"? if they have 12 volts on the remote lead and main power wires and have a good ground they should turn on. If they are both cutting out at the same time and the power lights are turning off I would check the connection at the battery terminal. I've seen corrosion cause this type of problem, as well as a loose connection at the fuse holder under the hood. It is probably some sort of issue with lack of current. Even if the amps are seeing 12 volts when they are off, if there is a bad connection somewhere they can shut off when they try to draw too much current. If the amps were staying on but just losing output it would most likely be an issue with the deck.
 

keybrdcowboy1

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Mar 30, 2000
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Northern VA
May 19, 2008
#3
  • May 19, 2008
  • #3
Well, I messed with the wiring at the battery and everything has been good to go. Been almost a week now.

I moved the wires around and took the fuse in and out a few times and everything's been working.

Thanks for the help.
 

iskwezm

10 Year Member
May 24, 2005
4,159
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79
Rowland Heights,California
May 20, 2008
#4
  • May 20, 2008
  • #4
if you have a inline glass type fues, check that too.I have seen them not blow but not let power through either
 
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