WHAT ARE THE COMMON PROBLEMS WITH INSTALLING A NEW AMP

Our blog covers the common problems that may arise when installing a new amplifier in your vehicle. You can learn more about what to expect from the installation process and how to prevent the problem before it happens.

However, it is also important to note that your specific vehicle may have different issues that may arise during the installation process. We will go over a few(16) of the most common problems and how to fix them.

WHAT ARE THE COMMON PROBLEMS WITH INSTALLING A NEW AMP IN YOUR VEHICLE?

1. No Power to the Amplifier

There are several potential causes…isolate each possible cause, checking for power on both sides of the connection you test. If you have a multimeter, simply check for voltage at the amplifier’s input connector. If no power is present, confirm that your amp has a remote wire. Some amps will require a remote turn-on signal, and if this wire is not present, the amp will have no power.

2. Aftermarket head unit has no preamp outputs to tap into

If your vehicle’s OEM radio does not have RCA output jacks in the rear, you can use a line output converter (LOC). A LOC takes the amplified output of the head unit, then converts that signal to RCA plugs. The use of a LOC also allows you to add an aftermarket amp without having to run a new speaker wire from the radiolocation to the trunk area where your amps and subs are located.

3. Wrong Power and Ground Wires Used During Installation

It is very important that you use the power and ground wires provided with your amp. This is especially true if your vehicle has a lot of aftermarket equipment (i.e: alarm, remote start, etc). You may need to install an additional fuse box in order to provide the right amount of amperage for your new  amplifier.

If you aren’t sure of the proper power and ground wire sizes, consult an expert or use a wiring kit that contains the correct size wires.

4. Remote Turn-On Wire is Not Installed Properly

If your remote turn on wire is not properly grounded, you won’t have power to your amp. Using a multimeter’s continuity setting, simply check to see if your remote wire is grounded. If it isn’t, simply trace the wire back to its grounding point and ensure that the connection is clean and tight.

5. Factory Radio’s Fuse is Blown, Cut or Damaged

If your factory radio has blown, cut or damaged fuses, you probably won’t have proper power to your amp. Check for appropriate amperage at the negative ground connection of your battery and then check each fuse in turn until you isolate where the power supply is being lost. Remember to check your security system if you have one too!

6. Factory Radio’s Ground is Damaged or Lost

If any factory ground wires are damaged or disconnected, this would prevent power from reaching your amplifier. It doesn’t matter which wire is broken, as this will cause a direct loss of power to your amp. Make sure all ground connections are clean and tight.

7. Power Wire is Damaged or Cut

If any of the power wires that were provided with your amplifier have been cut or damaged, this will force damage to your new amp as well. Make sure all power connection points are clean and secure before installing a new amplifier.

8. Speaker Wire is Damaged or Cut

If your speaker wires have been cut or damaged at any point, this will prevent power from reaching your amplifier. As a result of this loss of power, you will get no sound from the speakers attached to your new amp. Make sure all speaker connections are secure before hooking up a new power supply.

9. Remote Turn-On Wire is Damaged or Cut

If your remote wire has been cut or damaged, the amp will not receive power from its source of power. Make sure this wire is clean and secure before hooking up a new amplifier. If you still don’t have any sound after repairing the cable, then your power source may be at fault.

10. Ground Wire is Damaged or Cut

If the ground wire for your power supply has been damaged or cut, this will prevent your amp from receiving its source of power. Make sure all connections are clean and secure before hooking up a new amplifier. If you still aren’t getting any sound after repairing the cable, then your power source may be at fault.

Also Read: How to adjust car amplifier settings

11. Remote Turn-On Wire is Not Connected to Factory Radio’s Remote Terminal

You need to ensure that you are connecting the remote turn-on wire to the proper terminal on the factory radio. This will vary depending on how your particular vehicle is wired up so make sure not to make a mistake.

Not only will your amp not receive power, but it could also result in blown fuses or damage to other electrical components such as the wiring harness and factory radio.

12. Remote Turn-On Wire is Connected to the Power Speaker Line by Mistake

The remote turn-on wire needs to be connected to the power supply line in order to provide power to your amplifier. If you are connecting this wire by mistake to the speaker line, the amp will receive no power supply.

Make sure you have connected it to the correct terminal in order to get sound from your speakers again.

13. Remote Turn-On Wire is Connected with a Voltage Regulator By Mistake

If your remote wire is connected to a voltage regulator by mistake, this will prevent the amplifier from powering up. It doesn’t matter if the turn-on wire is being supplied with a factory radio or an aftermarket stereo, as both have one common ground connection that must be used for the amp power source.

14. Remote Turn-On Wire is Connected with a Bulb Out By Mistake

If you wire up your remote turn-on wire to a bulb out by mistake, it will prevent the amp from receiving its power source. This would be similar to connecting the remote wire to an incorrect terminal on your factory radio or amplifier harness. Check that all connections are secure to ensure your amp receives power.

15. Remote Turn-On Wire is Connected with the Ground Wire by Mistake

If you have turned on your stereo and are hearing no sound, then there may be a chance that your remote wire has been connected to the ground wire. This will prevent any power from reaching your amplifier for obvious reasons.

16. Remote Turn-On Wire is Connected with Your Power Supply’s Ground wire by Mistake

If your remote wire has been connected to the ground wire on your power supply, there will be no sound from your amp. This will cause a loss of power and prevent any sound from coming out of your speakers. Make sure you have connected the remote wire to the correct terminal on your source of power.

So we have covered the question, What are the Common problems with installing a new amp in your vehicle? We hope this article has helped you to prevent a lot of unprofessional mistakes that occur during the installation of car amplifiers.