Amp Problems...

[BlaZeNSmoKe]

Aiight check it, I finally installed my system with my friend's help. Now we didn't exactly follow directions, he said I didn't need a fuse holder because the amp wasn't that big. And we ran all the wires on the same side of the car. Now when we was finished, the amp was powered, everything came on as it should. But the sub wasn't producing anything. We tested all the wires and everything, until it came down to it being the amp. I took some home speakers I had lying around and tested them with the amp, and still got no signal. So I'm asking y'all is it because I ran the RCA cables on the same side as the power is it just that the amp is flat out bad? Hope y'all understand all this. Thanks.

[alphalanos]

could be the amp. also you should definetly have a fuse bc if you dont then your amp will blow out anyway.

[GScivic7]

did you buy your equipment used? Is the protection light or anything on? Are the RCA's hooked up right?

[BlaZeNSmoKe]

Nah I bought the amp brand new in a box. The light comes on and everything, its like the speakers ain't picking up a signal. We pulled my HU out again to make sure the RCA's didn't get loose or anything and they weren't. So what do y'all think?

[Snotrocket]

Not useing a fuse could cause a fire besides melting the amp, anyway does the amp have a gain controle is it turned up, does the amp have a crossover built in is it set to the correct hp lp setting, is the fader on your head unit centered not all the way front rca out is almost always set to rear fade ...l..............

dont EVER let this friend help you do your brakes!!!!! peace......

[Geeko]

Snotrocket :P on the brakes thing.

BlaZeNSmoKe: yeah man, you need to install a fuse holder up by the battery to protect from power line shorts. you can use one with a heavy rating, though, since it's just to protect against a dead short. IE if your amp has a 20-a fuse built-in, you can use a 40-a or a 60-a in the in-line fuse, no problem.

running everything on the same side shoulden't cause any problems, so long as you aren't using crappy RCA cables.

Check and make sure the sub or AUX out on your HU is actually turned on (check manual), that the volume is set correctly, and that your amp's gain and other levels are adjusted correctly. If so, you should be good-to-go.

If it is still not working, you can test the amp by plugging a portable CD player or MP3 player directly into the amp. get a 1/8"-dual-RCA cable from Radioshack or someplace, and go from the headphone out on the cd-player to the amp (make sure the amp is on). start with the levels set like norm on the amp, and volume all the way down on the portable, and adjust up slowly until you can hear music/whatever. This'll let you know if the problem lies in your amplifier, or in your HU, or in the RCA cables.

If you get volume from that, try replacing your RCA cables. Radioshack has those too, just don't get the shisty tin ones, get decent cables while you're there- they pay dividends in sound quality. If they have monster cable car stereo stuff in, get that, it's pretty much the best around.

If the problem STILL isn't fixed, it's something in your HU... double-check the manual, and make sure you have everything set up right.

good luck, and cheers!

[BlaZeNSmoKe]

Aiight thanks y'all. I talked to someone who worked at my local audio store. And they said I might've blown a fuse inside the amp, because when my friend was installing it, he didn't discnonect the - terminal on the battery and he didn't install a fuse box. So that might be it. I'm gonna get it looked at this weekend. But I appreciate all the feedback. Thanks.