TROUBLE-SHOOTING
SYMPTOM | POSSIBLE CAUSE | SOLUTION |
No output and | No battery, ground, or remote |
LEDs are off | connection |
Verify that the B+,
Blown or melted power fuse | Use an ohmmeter to verify that the fuse has |
| continuity between its ends. Disconnect the main |
| B+ cable from the battery and the inputs of all |
| devices in the system (including capacitors). Use |
| an ohmmeter to check for a short between the |
| power cable system and the vehicle's chassis. |
| Correct any short and install a new fuse. Replace |
| only with the same rating and type of fuse. |
No output and | No signal from the head unit or |
LEDs are on | previous signal processor |
Use an AC voltmeter to check for voltage at the headunit or processor's preamp outputs. The level should fluctuate with peaks in the music. An analog gauge works well for this test.
Faulty input signal cables | Use an AC voltmeter to check for voltage at the |
| signal cables' outputs. Try substituting different |
| signal cables. |
Faulty speaker or speaker cables | Try substituting another speaker or cables. |
Distorted sound | Clipped input signal feeding the |
| amplifier or signal processor |
Make sure the headunit and all other components are not producing a clipped signal. Most head- units clip their own output above 7/8 volume. Distorted signals coming into the amp will sound distorted at any input sensitivity setting.
| Amplifier or signal processor's input | Lower input sensitivity (counterclockwise). |
| sensitivity too high | Setting the sensitivity too high causes distortion. |
|
| Distortion causes speakers to rapidly overheat |
|
| and can result in speaker failure. |
Amplifier cuts off when | Poor ventilation | Check for a poor mounting location that allows |
driven to high output |
| hot air to be |
levels. Thermal protection |
| Check for blocked input or exhaust openings. |
circuit activated (yellow |
|
|
LED on). |
|
|
Total speaker impedance is too low causing excessive heat.
