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troubleshooting Amplifier problem [updated]...Success!!

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    troubleshooting Amplifier problem [updated]...Success!!

    Hardware
    1 amp is a pyramid POS driving 2 10" RF subs in a sealed box
    2nd amp is an RF driving a JL 10" sub in a sealed box
    Both HUs are older generation Alpine HUs, one 7894 and the other is a 7836 or so
    Both amps are NOT working when I connect them with both headunits in the e30

    The amps work fine in my maxima :? :?

    THe pyramid amp AUTOMATICALLY goes into "safe mode" as soon as the RCA connectors are plugged in. This is regardless of whether or not the positive and turn on lead are hooked up. I don't remember trying it without the -ve wire connected or not

    I thought it might be the RCA wires or turn on lead so I ran fresh RCAs directly from the HU to the amp and ran another remote turn on wire....same deal :? it goes into "safe mode" I triple checked the power and speaker wires. reversed the RCA connectors on the amp and the HU. Tried front, rear and sub outputs also.

    I disconnected all the regular 4 speakers individually and all at the same time....same deal. :? :?

    The RF amp doesn't even light up at all.

    My next resort is to disconnect the wires at the head unit running to the main speakers and see if that will make a difference. I will also run a fresh power wire to the remote battery terminal along the firewall, the ignition turn on lead will also be switched to another source. I will also try another ground.

    I have tried the amp wired to the battery with spade and cylinder style fuses with diff. gauge wiring. NO luck. I run the negative directly from the battery and also from a good ground point same deal.

    Do any of you have any other tips? I am pretty much determined to sort this out after work tomorrow by all means.
    I have NEVER paid to have an amplifier install and wish not to do so :evil:

    Is it possible for the rca wires to carry a current because the HU isn't setup righ such that itwill send the amp into "safe mode?" This issue is driving me NUTS.

    ....Tired after 3 hours spent working in the dark with mosquitoes chewing the fook outta me

    #2
    speakers were re-wired and not using a common ground, right?
    My mountains are better than yours.

    Comment


      #3
      Originally posted by bimmerphile
      speakers were re-wired and not using a common ground, right?
      yesh

      Comment


        #4
        Where are your amp's grounded?

        Are you sure they are still working (test em in a different car)

        How are your subs wired up?

        Comment


          #5
          He said they work fine in the Maxima

          Sold it.

          Comment


            #6
            Test the remote turn on wire for +12v
            Tenured Automotive Service Professional - Avid BMW Enthusiast

            Vapor Honing & E30 ABS Pump Refurbishment Service
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            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by Jordan
              Test the remote turn on wire for +12v
              Tested that and the current was not a full 12v. last time around but it was high enough. The amp goes into protect mode as soon as the RCAs are connected. It happens with or without the remote turn on connected :?

              Didn't get off work in time to mess around with it today. Will rewire a fresh power source and ground to the head unit as mentioned.....hopefully I will be posting back with success results tomorrow.. :twisted:

              Comment


                #8
                Wired a fresh positive from the +ve post in the hood to the head unit
                Wired a a fresh ground to the head unit from a factory ground point
                Tapped in a fresh ignition lead from under the dash
                Disconnected all the speakers.

                Ran a fresh rca cable from the HU to the Amp.
                Ran a fresh remote turn on wire to the Amp.
                As soon as I connect the remote wire....the amp goes into protect mode...mind you no -ve or +ve wires have been connected to the amp.

                I had the amp bench tested it works..
                I have asked 4 diff installers...no one has any ideas...
                Had the same issue with 2 diff Alpine HUs..

                What to do here?
                All I want is bass in the m42....maybe it's not meant to be???
                Anyone willing to help me solve this? I will paypal you a small fee :twisted:

                Comment


                  #9
                  Looking through your thread here, I see no mention of what you are running from the battery to the amp.

                  You should run 8GA power from the battery, then make a fresh ground point . DO NOT use ANY existing bolt, nut, or any other such thing.Go directly to the floor of the car, DO NOT FLAKE HERE! Scrape the metal CLEAN (no less than fucking shiny!) Drill a hole, use a bolt through the floor and a nut on the other side. Use proper ring terminals. Dont fuck around, do it right. Make sure your fuseholder is at the battery, within 1 foot.

                  No more than 18" of ground wire. Same size as your power wire.

                  If you follow my instructions, you will have adequate power to the amp.

                  Connect RCA's and remote. I run RCA's, speaker wire, remote and a 16 ga ground wire all together to the deck. the ground wire is so that you can ground your head unit at the same place as the amp. This can often help with engine noise.

                  Good luck, man. Send a pic of the battery connection and the ground, plus amp connections.

                  Luke

                  PS...don't fuck around trying to scrimp on wire, either. Get cheap shit at walmart if you have to, but NO electrical crapola. Car stereo wire ONLY!!

                  Closing SOON!
                  "LAST CHANCE FOR G.A.S." DEAL IS ON NOW

                  Luke AT germanaudiospecialties DOT com or text 425-761-6450, or for quickest answers, call me at the shop 360-669-0398

                  Thanks for 10 years of fun!

                  Comment


                    #10
                    I forget the gauge of the wiring used but its a decent gauge.

                    I had the amp grounded at the battery....same deal.
                    I had the amp grounded at a nice new clean point with a ring connector...same deal.

                    The wiring used is the same gauge I had in my older e30, Maxima and VR6 wagon and it worked just fine.

                    The 2 different fuses i tried are both 30 amps and 3 inches away from the positive terminal for the battery. One was a spade style fuse, the other a cylinder style fuse.

                    The RCA wires being used are from a car kit used in my previous cars also. The remote wire is part of the RCA kit, I tried regular speaker wire ran directly from the head unit also.

                    I bridged the +ve terminal to the remote as a test and still had the same issue.

                    I don't have access to a digi cam @ the moment.

                    Just for shits and giggles, I will try out new wiring once again to the amp. As to why the amp goes into protect mode with only the RCAs and remote lead connected is what is beyond me. I will try a clean and new ground for the deck. The amp and the deck cannot really share the same ground due to the way I have the wires routed.

                    Even without the subs connected, the amp goes into protect mode :?

                    Will update this later

                    Thanks for all the tips so far

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Just so you know, the power adn protect LED's on most amps have nothing to do with wether or not they have power, most are just a test for remote.

                      Do you have access to a DVM? If yes, do readings on your remote, ground and positive.

                      BTW, do NOT connect RCA's without the main ground...you are using your RCA's as a chassis ground. If those amps have had power connected, they will discharge the caps through the RCA's, into your head unit!

                      In uddder words, POOF! there goes some magic smoke...even a tiny bit could fry your RCA outputs.

                      Do you have a portable CD player? concet it to the input of your amp as a test source after you get the thing to power up.

                      Luke
                      PS get the cam soon!

                      Closing SOON!
                      "LAST CHANCE FOR G.A.S." DEAL IS ON NOW

                      Luke AT germanaudiospecialties DOT com or text 425-761-6450, or for quickest answers, call me at the shop 360-669-0398

                      Thanks for 10 years of fun!

                      Comment


                        #12
                        SUCCESS

                        got it working.
                        Luke, check your PM. You made me quadruple check everthing and my error was indeed with the grounding...

                        the first ground I chose was directly off the battery post which wasn't good enough

                        I chose 3 other grounds which were not good.

                        Finally created a new ground and voila.

                        Thanks a bunch....

                        I can now induce headaches :twisted:

                        Comment


                          #13
                          laf, it's always a ground

                          Comment


                            #14
                            this thread just saved my life... i have been up all night trying to make my stupid new sound system work

                            you are so right!

                            it is always the ground!

                            Thank you!!!


                            BUUUUUUMPIN
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