Specifications

TROUBLE-SHOOTING GUIDE
Below is a basic trouble-shooting guide to assist in seeking out and correcting a problem that may occur in the
installation process. Although lengthy, this chart cannot address every single problem possible but mainly the ones
most common.
SYMPTOM PROBABLE CAUSE OR CORRECTION
No power (power light not on)
o Check connections to amps
+12 volt, ground, and remote lines.
o Use voltmeter to verify voltages are at terminals of amp.
o Check main power connection at battery.
o Check fuse
in power line at battery.
o Disconnect all speakers but not power lines - if unit then turns on, a speaker short
or speaker line
touching vehicle chassis is likely.
Power but
no sound (power light is on)
• Check
all input cable lines for connection.
o Disconnect speakers from amp, test speaker lines with digital voltmeter to verify >2 ohms per channel
(non-bridged mode).
No sound from one channel or entire side
• Check radio's balance and fader control positions - verify they
are at center.
o Check speaker connections at amp and speaker.
o Check input leads for connection to amp.
Very low sound level • Verify radio balance and fader controls are at center positions.
• Check amplifier's input gain control setting - adjust for higher output levels if necessary (gain settings
closer to 0.3 volts).
o Receiver may have very low output voltage levels - a step up "line driver" may have
to be used.
Power amplifier turns on and oft repeatedly o Make sure power connections at batter are tight.
(motor·boating sound) • Verify battery voltage is >11.5 volts
DC (12.5-15V engine on) at amplifier with engine oft.
o Check all radio and amplifier ground connections.
Amplifier turns oft during loud
or distorted o Input stage being over-driven - lower input gain (closer to 4 volt setting).
passages • Verify battery voltage is >
11 .5 volts DC at amplifier with engine oft.
o Check all radio and amplifier ground connections.
o Verify speaker loads >2 ohms on all channels (non-bridged mode).
Amplifier perlorms fine but gets very hot to • Input gain control too high - lower accordingly (closer to 4.0 volt setting).
the touch o Verify speaker loads >2 ohms on all channels (non-bridged mode).
• Verify the mounting location allows for free air movement around the amp. Preferably, the amp should
be mounted with fins up and
down so rising heat moves quickly away from amp.
f\mplifier turn-on/turn-off pops
or noises o "turn on race" - disconnect trigger from radio and turn on/off via a wire jumper to power terminal. If
noise goes away, the radio is turning on/oft too slowly. This
is radio problem and can only be corrected
with outboard turn-on delay relay system.
o Radio
"thump" - disconnect the RCA input lines to the amp and turn on/oft via radio trigger. If noise
goes away without RCA lines connected, the radio is sending pops out through RCA lines. This
is a
radio problem and can only be corrected with outboard turn-on delay relay system.
Cracking noises on AM/FM radio but not on o Ensure the problem is "radiated noise" by placing a portable
FM radio near the car engine. If noise is
tape or cd.
picked up, then it is a vehicle problem and not your system. Research to isolate the source and properl
shield or bypass.
• Are spark plugs and
wires> 3 years old? These can often radiate substantial noise when old.
• Verify the engine block has a good ground connection
to chassis ground.
o Verify the engine compartment hood
is grounded to vehicle chassis via a braided grounding strap.
Whining noise. engine running. varies
in pitch o Verify all power and ground connections are clean at radio.
or loudness with engine speed, AND varies • Re-route radio power and ground so they are sourced from same connections back at amplifier (this
is
with radio volurT'e control setting (this is called a "common" ground).
generally a
RADIO installation problem) • Check all ground connections to ensure clean surlaces that have all paint removed and also not
oxidation buildup over time.
o Verify there is some kind of power filtering choke assembly at back of radio.
If not, install one.
Whining noise. engine running, varies
in pitch
• Check battery ground connections at chassis are clean and tight, scraped free of oxidation, paint, and
or loudness with engine speed,
BUT, DOES
grease.
NOT vary with md;o volume control setting
oRe-route radio power and ground so they are sourced from same connections back at amplifier (this is
(this is generally an amplifier installation
called a "common" ground).
problem)
o Bypass all equipment between radio and amp (e.g., equalizers) directly connecting radio. If noise goes
away, signal processor has problem.
• Check for signal level "ground loops" - disconnect the outer shield of the RCA cable at one end of the
cable (e.g., radio end).
If noise goes away, modify cables accordingly. There are voltage difterences at
the ground connections of the components and these
are NOT correctable any other way than such
shield cutting or an outboard "ground loop isolator" which is a small transformer.
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