
TROUBLE-SHOOTING
GUIDE
Below
is
abasic trouble-shooting guide to assist
in
seeking out and correcting aproblem 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) oCheck connections to amps +12 volt, ground, and remote lines.
oUse voltmeter to verify voltages are at terminals
of
amp.
oCheck main power connection at battery.
oCheck fuse
in
power line at battery.
oDisconnect all speakers but not power lines -if unit then turns on, aspeaker short
or
speaker line
touching vehicle chassis is likely.
Power but
no
sound (power light is on) •Check
all
input cable lines for connection.
oDisconnect 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.
oCheck speaker connections at amp and speaker.
oCheck 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).
oReceiver may have very low output voltage levels - a step up "line driver" may have
to
be used.
Power amplifier turns on and oft repeatedly oMake 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.
oCheck all radio and amplifier ground connections.
Amplifier turns oft during loud
or
distorted oInput stage being over-driven -lower input gain (closer
to
4volt setting).
passages •Verify battery voltage is >
11
.5
volts
DC
at amplifier with engine oft.
oCheck all radio and amplifier ground connections.
oVerify 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 oVerify 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 awire 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.
oRadio
"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 oEnsure the problem is "radiated noise" by placing aportable
FM
radio near the car engine. If noise is
tape or cd. picked up, then it is avehicle problem and not your system. Research to isolate the source and properl
shield or bypass.
•Are spark plugs and
wires>
3years old? These can often radiate substantial noise when old.
•Verify the engine block has agood ground connection
to
chassis ground.
oVerify the engine compartment hood
is
grounded to vehicle chassis via abraided grounding strap.
Whining noise. engine running. varies
in
pitch oVerify
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.
oVerify 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)
oBypass 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 asmall transformer.
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