Do amps die?

sgand · Aug 15, 2007, 10:54 AM

A few weeks ago I noticed that my sub wasn't on. I went and looked at my amp, and the power light wasn't on. I checked the connections to the amp, and the power wire was pulled out because the box slid across the trunk. Recrimped it, plugged it back in, rechecked all connections on amp, sub, battery and fuses....and everything is solid. Still isn't working. WTF?? Is it possible for an amp to die? It's probably 5 or 6 years old.

diviniti · Aug 15, 2007, 10:58 AM

Very possible for an amp to "die". You could have shorted it out or it could have not liked the slamming around. This is why you always secure it so it will not move around.

sgand · Aug 15, 2007, 11:00 AM

Yeah I never had that problem with it sliding around. Just one day I opened my trunk and the box was at the other side where I put it and the carpet was all folded to hell.

diviniti · Aug 15, 2007, 11:07 AM

You could pop it open and trace the current, to verify if you shorted it.
If its old though, and or a low quality amp, just drop a couple bones on a new one.

sgand · Aug 15, 2007, 11:18 AM

Ok, just did some poking around. I took a voltage tester to the input screws (where you screw down the power and ground wires), and it beeped at me. Tested the battery to double check the voltage tester, and it beeped at me. So I either need to open up the amp and test some internal wiring, or just put in a new amp and see if it works. There is no reason the remote wire would have any part in this right?

sikrsix · Aug 15, 2007, 11:26 AM

You can use a jumper wire from your power input to the remote input and if your amp turns on its your remote connection.. quick and easy to do..

sgand · Aug 15, 2007, 11:30 AM

What do you mean, can I just bridge a plain speaker wire from the bat. to the rem. input and find out?

lexat20 · Aug 15, 2007, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgand

Ok, just did some poking around. I took a voltage tester to the input screws (where you screw down the power and ground wires), and it beeped at me. Tested the battery to double check the voltage tester, and it beeped at me. So I either need to open up the amp and test some internal wiring, or just put in a new amp and see if it works. There is no reason the remote wire would have any part in this right?

A fluke beeping usually means there is continuity. You need to check and see what the voltage reads

sgand · Aug 15, 2007, 11:37 AM

It doesn't read anything. It just lights up and beeps. Cheap $5 Wal-Mart tool.

sgand · Aug 15, 2007, 11:42 AM

SUCCESS!!!!!

Did the speaker wire bridge, and the amp's light turned on. Now me and the mad scientist have to rip apart dash and check the remote connection.

sikrsix · Aug 15, 2007, 11:46 AM

yes about 3" of wire is all thats needed, and only the thickness of a remote wire (so speaker wire would work) touch the power wire (while its hooked up) with one end and your remote with the other.. should power up within 3 seconds.

sikrsix · Aug 15, 2007, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgand

SUCCESS!!!!!

Did the speaker wire bridge, and the amp's light turned on. Now me and the mad scientist have to rip apart dash and check the remote connection.

Gotta love those cheap and easy tests huh?

Good luck, glad I was of some help..

sgand · Aug 15, 2007, 11:52 AM

Yes, thank you for that. I'm glad I didn't have to take the amp apart.

sgand · Aug 15, 2007, 12:17 PM

Took the radio out, and the remote wire was disconnected.

I thought I saw it connected when I took the unit out the first time. Ah well, everything is working now.