Operation Manual

POWER Amplifiers
Troubleshooting
Problem Possible Cause
Amplifier does not No power to +12V
turn on terminal
No power to REM
terminal
Blown main fuse at
battery
Blown fuse at amplifier
Faulty ground
Volume control too Input level control
sensitive adjusted too high
Distorted sound Input level control
adjusted too high
Blows fuse(s) at amp Power wires connected
backwards
Internal problem with
amp
Engine noise
I Ground loop(s)
Alternator whine
Faulty ground at amp
Faulty ground at head
unit
Inductive coupling
Input level on amp set
too high
Thermal protection
Amplifier driving 1 ohm
activated
load for long durations
Corrective Action
Check fuse( s)
Check head unit fuse(s) and
wiring
Replace fuse and identify
cause
of failure
Replace fuse and identify
cause
of failure
Re-ground main power
ground to bare metal
chassis
Re-adjust the input level
(refer to page 8)
Re-adjust the input level
(refer to page 8)
Reconnect power wires
properly
Take unit for service
Use good quality shielded
RCA cables
Re-ground amp to clean
bare metal chassis
Re-ground head unit to
clean bare metal chassis
Re-route RCA and/or
speaker wires away from
factory harnesses
Re-adjust input level (refer
to page 8)
If the amplifier "thermals"
frequently while driving
subwoofers, install fan to
keep amp cool.
10
Short circuit Blown speakers Check all speakers
protection activated
Speaker wire(s) shorting Check for faulty wiring
to ground
Defective crossover
Faulty passive crossover
Low impedance Amp connected to Check speaker connections
protection activated improper load
Amp will not drive less
Verify that speakers are
than a 1 ohm load
connected properly
Speakers defective/ Check speakers
blown
Faulty passive Check crossovers
crossovers
Poor bass response Speakers out
of phase
Check speaker polarity;
reverse the connection to
one speaker only
if two
subwoofers are connected
to the amplifier.
NOTE: If the protection light is activated with no speakers connected to
the amplifier,
and all the power connections are correct, this would
indicate an internal problem with the amplifier.