amp install

I'm installing an amp and having problems running the power wire from battery thru the firewall. Im installing the amp in a 97 grand prix 4 dr sedan gt. I'd rather not drill any holes if i don't need to. I'm wiring the power wire on the passenger side because if i route drivers side the cord will not be long enough.

If you have pictures that would be great or a video. Been looking online and don't understand fully what they mean by a gromment on the passenger floor. Couldn't find one.

There should be a hole (with a plastic grommet) under the carpet at the passenger side, look for it by crawling under the car.

I have the same model as your's (mine is 2 door) and the cable was routed through the firewall and behind the dash and under the center console. I will take a picture and upload it tomorrow.

Best regards,

Oscar.

there is a large rubber grommet, however, the location of it makes it pretty hard to get to in the engine bay... honestly, drilling is your easiest bet. theres a pretty large surface where there is nothing between the cabin and the engine bay (other than carpet and foam) to go through. i have a rather large hole there for a 0 gauge and two 4 gauge lines.

I'm sorry I used to believe there was a hole at the firewall but there isn't, I routed mine through the air ventilation door, users might advise against it since water can get into it but in 6 years I haven't had any problems with it.

Now here are the pictures as promised:


http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/1861/img00684201102140917.th.jpg (http://img209.imageshack.us/i/img00684201102140917.jpg/)
This is where the wire goes into the passenger compartment, if you remove the plastic cowl you'll see the ventilation door I'm talking about.

http://img808.imageshack.us/img808/8498/img00683201102140917.th.jpg (http://img808.imageshack.us/i/img00683201102140917.jpg/)
This is the view from the battery and routing under the wiper reservoir.

http://img813.imageshack.us/img813/6179/img00685201102140919.th.jpg (http://img813.imageshack.us/i/img00685201102140919.jpg/)
Finally this is the view from behind the glovebox, from here you can choose where to route your wire, I routed mine to the center of the dash, under the carpet and under the center console to the backseat and into the trunk area.

Hope this gives you an idea.

Best regards,

Oscar.

PS. I know the engine compartment is full of dirt and that should be considered as sacrilege, I promise I'll give it a good clean ;).

Oscar I have to say I am a bit disappointed... Not because of the amp wire routing through the cowl area, but because of the dirt in your engine compartment. Looks like you need some simple green and a pressure washer. LOL!!!!

What you got for a system in that thing?

thanks for the input and the pictures oscar. im real hesitant doing it that way. How does the big chunk of wires shown in your last photo get thru the firewall?

I'll just have to see what other ideas ppl come up with this week and try them out this weekend.

thanks for the input and the pictures oscar. im real hesitant doing it that way. How does the big chunk of wires shown in your last photo get thru the firewall?

I'll just have to see what other ideas ppl come up with this week and try them out this weekend.

You're welcome, actually the only wire you should pay attention is the red one, the other two black wires are for a set of strobes which I plan to remove when I get a new set of headlights, the ones installed are quite pale on the inside. The rest of wires belong to the OEM harness. They go into the passenger compartment through the A/C air intake, at the passenger side and under the wiper cowl there is an access door which opens/closes as you turn on/off the Blower motor, it's right below where the cabin air filter should be installed. You DO NOT NEED TO DRILL ANYTHING and everything can go back to normal should you decide to remove your amplifier. You can take a look at it if you remove the glovebox and turn on and off the vent system, you'll feel the door opening and closing at the back.

In the end the choice is yours, but I really don't think you'll get a better opinion other than drilling a hole through the firewall, looking for that rubber grommet OR routing the wire under the right fender and through the rubber piece at the passenger door and to the back of the dashboard. I don't think this would be a good idea as you have to make sure the wire doesn't gets chewed as you open and close the door.

Oscar I have to say I am a bit disappointed... Not because of the amp wire routing through the cowl area, but because of the dirt in your engine compartment. Looks like you need some simple green and a pressure washer. LOL!!!!

What you got for a system in that thing?

I knew that dirt would give me some troubles XD.

Yeah I know Tim, it looks ugly and all happened because of the so called "mechanic" who fixed/broke some stuff in November '09. Actually he did nearly as much harm as good.

There are a few excuses for all that dirt:
- First of all my pressure washer is broken, the pressure switch got corroded and haven't been able to find a replacement, I guess I'll end up buying a new washer.
- Second and most important I've been lazy LOL.

Be sure the next project after I replace my alternator is to clean the engine compartments of my 3 rides :biggrin:.

My system is a bit outdated, but I really like it it's not that noisy but I get enough power to enjoy my music at the right level, it's nearly a home theater experience :grinyes:. It consists of:

Head unit: JVC AVX-2 1st generation, I have the ipod interface installed, in this model came as an accessory.
The speakers are all Sony Xplod, doors and rear speakers were replaced.
The subwoofer is a 10" Kicker, I really can't remember how much power.
Amplifier.- Kicker 100wx2ch, I was thinking on setting it to a parallel configuration and provide more juice to the woofer, but the impedance is different and I'll damage something, in the end I'm happy with the way it sound right now.
And finally for Bass control I have a Sound stream BX-12.

In addition I own a couple of kicker L9 which used to belong to my brother, he was planning to install them on the Town car but he passed away... I'm still thinking on wether to install them or not.

I'll take some pictures and share them with the forum, it's not big deal but I'm very happy with the results and the sound quality!.

Best regards,

Oscar.

would i have to remove the glove campartment to get the power wire the way you wired it oscar?

Negative, all you have to do is to push to sides of the compartment towards the inside, it has two tabs that prevent the glovebox fromsliding out, so on you push on the sides at the same time it shrinks alittle and the tabs can slide freely.

Best regards,

Oscar