Kicker VSS SSON12 User manual

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SSON12
Designed for 2012 and newer Chevrolet® Sonic vehicles
©2015 Stillwater Designs
SSON12-A4-20150930
SubwooferPower
Harness
Fuse
WireTiesX6
FoamStrip
WireTapsX2
AdaptorHarness
SubwooferHarness
SubwooferAssembly

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Power Harness Routing
1. Disconnect negative battery cable from battery.
2. Using a razor knife make a cross shaped incision in the large rubber grommet from inside
the vehicle and feed the power wire from the engine compartment to the cabin. Using a fish
tape wire is recommended.
Fig. 1
NOTE: If you are installing the optional amplifier system, install the power wire for it at this
time.
3. Pull the wire through the grommet until the sheathing touches the grommet.
4. Remove the fuse box cover under the hood. Remove the fuse from the fuse holder on the
subwoofer power wire and connect the power wire to the accessory lug. Torque to 9 +/-
1.5 Nm. Make sure that the wire exits on the side closest to the battery. Fig. 2
5. Install the black two pin power connector on the subwoofer power harness by first inserting
the terminal fully into the connector and then depressing the blue retainer. Fig. 3
NOTE: Make sure the blue retainer in the center
of the connector is not depressed – it should be
flush with the front of the connector. If the
retainer is depressed, the terminal will not fully
seat in the connector body. Make sure the
terminal is installed into position 1 on the
connector body. There should be a block-out
plug installed in position 2 in order to prevent
the terminal from being installed into the wrong
position on the connector.
Fig. 1
CutgrommethereFig. 2
Wireshouldexitin
directionofarrow
Fig. 3
Insert
terminal
first
Then
depress
blue
retainer

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Subwoofer Harness Routing
6. Remove the driver’s side kick/threshold panel by
loosening the retainer at the top and then pulling
loose. Fig. 4
7. Remove the lower portion of the rear seat by
pulling straight up on the front edge.
8. Snap loose the rear driver’s side threshold panel
located along the bottom of the door opening.
9. Snap loose the lower portion of the B pillar post
cover.
10.Remove the driver’s side cover directly in front of
the console by removing the plastic retainer with
a Phillip’s screwdriver and then pull the cover
loose. If installing the optional amplifier system, the passenger’s side panel will need to be
removed as well but has no plastic retainer and can simply be pulled off. Fig. 5
11.Remove the radio trim bezel by carefully prying loose with a plastic panel removal tool.
Start at the corners and work around the bezel. Fig. 6
12.Remove the four screws securing the radio, pull radio from dash and disconnect all wiring.
13.Route the white two pin connecter of the subwoofer harness up to the radio opening from the
driver’s side of the console
NOTE: If installing the optional amplifier system, route the amplifier harness at this time.
Subwoofer Input Connection with Optional Amplifier
14.Connect the white two-pin connecter of the subwoofer harness to the corresponding
connecter of the amplifier harness at this time.
Fig. 4
Retainer–Rotate
counterclockwise
Fig. 5 Fig. 6

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Subwoofer Input Connection without Optional Amplifier
15.Connect the six inch adapter harness to the end
of the two- pin connecter. Locate position 40 and
position 32 on the radio connecter and install
one of the wire taps onto the wire. Lay the wire in
the open channel, fold the connecter body over
and squeeze with a pair of pliers until connecter
snaps shut, Fig 7. Connect the green wire of the
adapter harness to the wire in position 40, and
the brown wire to the wire in position 32
NOTE: If you are installing the optional amplifier system, route the power and ground wires
of the amplifier body harness under the carpet and toward the driver’s side kick panel at
this time.
16.Connect the power connecter to the power wire
coming through the firewall grommet and tuck
out of the way.
17.Connect the black ground wire to the factory
ground point near the driver’s side kick panel.
Torque to 9 +/- 1.5 Nm. Fig. 8
18.Continue running the subwoofer harness down
the driver’s side of the car to and under the rear
seatback. It is helpful to rotate the seatback
down to allow clearance for the connecters.
Secure any excess harness to the factory
harness under the driver’s side rear threshold
panel.
Subwoofer Installation Hatchback
19.Remove the spare tire to retrieve the spare tire
safety strap equipped with the vehicle, and then
replace the spare tire. (Refer to owner’s manual,
beginning in section 10-67, for proper removal
and reinstallation of spare tire.) The safety strap
will be used to insure the sub- woofer enclosure
does not strike someone in the event of a
collision.
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Connectgroundwirehere
Fig. 9
Installfoamstriphere

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20.Lay the poly bag that the subwoofer is packaged in on top of the carpet behind the driver’s
side seat- back. (The poly bag prevents the Velcro® from engaging the carpet prematurely.
Set the subwoofer on top of the poly bag and connect the subwoofer harness.
21.Run one end of the safety strap under the bracket on the side of the enclosure and then
connect both ends to the cargo tie-down on the driver’s side of the car. Fig. 10 and Fig. 11
22.With the seatback in the up position set the
subwoofer in place against the back of the
seatback. Release the seatback and while
holding the top of the subwoofer against the
seatback slowly rotate the seatback forward until
the subwoofer bracket slides under the anchor
point on the seatback. Continue to hold the
subwoofer against the seat while rotating the
seatback rearward until it locks into the fully back
position. Fig. 12
23.Hold firm pressure against the bottom of the
subwoofer while pulling the poly bag from beneath it.
Subwoofer Installation Sedan
24.Find the anchor point on the driver’s side of the
rear seatback. The anchor point is
approximately 17 inches from the load floor and
7 inches left of the gap between the seatbacks.
Make a vertical incision in the carpet seatback
approximately 2-3 inches long. Fig. 13
25.Lay the poly bag that the subwoofer is packaged
in on top of the carpet behind the seatback to
prevent the Velcro® on the bottom of the
subwoofer from engaging the carpet prematurely.
26.With the seatback in the up position, set the
subwoofer in place against the back of the seatback. Release the seatback and while holding
the top of the subwoofer against the seatback, slowly rotate the seatback forward until the
subwoofer bracket slides under the anchor point on the seatback. Continue to hold the
subwoofer against the seatback while rotating the seatback rearward until it locks into the fully
back position.
27.Hold firm pressure against the bottom of the subwoofer while pulling the poly bag from
beneath it.
Fig. 10
Installfoamstriphere
Fig. 11
Installfoamstriphere
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
7
inches
17
inches

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NOTE: If installing the optional amplifier system, refer to the amplifier instruction manual to
complete the installation.
28.Reinstall all previously removed parts in reverse order.
29.Install fuse into fuse holder.
30.Reconnect negative battery cable to battery.

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Troubleshooting the Kicker Integrated Systems
If you experience a problem once the subwoofer or amplifier are installed use this guide to locate the trouble.
The radio is working, but the Subwoofer is not working:
Check the battery voltage to make sure it is not discharged below 11 volts.
Check the negative battery cable to see if it has been securely tightened back on the battery.
Check the inline fuse located near the battery to make sure it is plugged in completely, and not blown.
Check the inline +12 volt power connector near the firewall to make sure it is plugged in securely.
Check the inline connectors near the subwoofer enclosure to make sure they are plugged securely.
Check the ground wire connection to make sure it is tightly secured to the proper ground in the vehicle.
Check the audio input signal connection to make sure it is secure and connected to the proper wiring.
Test with different music in case there is no low frequency audio in the initial sound check.
S
y
mptom Possible Cause Solution
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No Subwoofer Output
Fusenotinstalledininlinefuse
holder on subwoofer and / or
amp harness
Install fuse into fuse holder.
Refer to instructions for
correct placement
Low battery voltage Recharge the battery
Negativebatterycable
not connected Reconnectnegativebattery
cable
Power wire connector not
connected to body
harness
Connect power wire to
body harness. Check for
loose connection
Ground wire not grounded properly Check ground wire with
voltmeter to insure it is a good
Balance or fader controls not set to
neutral position Set balance and fader control to center settings. (only effects
stand-alonesubwooferkit)
No low frequency information in
music Test with several different
songs
Subwooferharnessnot properly
/Completelyconnectedtosub-
woofer.
Securely fasten both of the
connectors on the subwoofer
harness to the subwoofer.
Check for loose connections.
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Radio Not Coming On Blown radio fuse Refer to owner's manual for
radio fuse location and value
Low battery voltage Recharge the battery

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If you continue to experience problems after troubleshooting, please contact KICKER Technical Support at
[phone] ext. 6009, or [email protected].
P.O. Box 459 • Stillwater, Oklahoma 74076 • USA • (405) 624–8510