Strange amp problem

JIGAWHAAT · 12-14-2008, 09:35 PM

So I bought a used amp at the flea market today (not for my Explorer but for my corolla) I wired it up and all was fine. Then while driving around, The subs cut completely out. Still had power to the amp but nothing coming out of the subs. After driving for a while I noticed when I tapped my brake pedal, The subs kicked in again (not every time, but this seems to be the trigger to turning them on again). This happened many times today. The amp is wired directally to the battery and is grounded to one of my rear seat bolts.
Any ideas?????????

PS: When I say tapping the brakes, I really mean tapping. Its not like I am slamming on my brakes so the subs and amp are bouncing around in my trunk via the whole loose connection issue. I just touch the brake pedal and it kicks everything back on. Something funky is going on here!
Thanks in advance.
JIGA

JIGAWHAAT · 12-14-2008, 10:27 PM

I guess this one stumped all you audio guys no?

rumproast789 · 12-14-2008, 10:37 PM

i was going to say it might be killing your alternator/ it can't handle it, but i re read it and you said brake pedal so I don't know...

whats your voltage at do you know?
at battery and amp

Garretthomas · 12-15-2008, 04:36 AM

what kinda amp is it it doesnt happen to be a rockford fosgate does it?? and if its not a rockford try taking your ground out and sanding it down to a shiny metal were u ground it and then clean your battery terminals off. and if it is a rockford sometimes they have a short in the piece on top of them try to jam it into place were it works. if this doesnt work write back and i will give more suggestions

*Cobraguy* · 12-15-2008, 08:11 AM

I'm wondering if the brake circuit is providing some sort of path for the ground circuit...or something similar to that. Why don't you built yourself some nice, heavy duty jumper wires and isolate and jump the amp directly to the battery and see what happens. Then double check your enable circuit as that could also be causing this. Maybe jumper it too.

kelly2 · 12-15-2008, 09:23 PM

remote wire connected to what?

CrazyAlaskan · 12-21-2008, 08:46 AM

I had the same problum with a set up I use to have a Buick regal, Only 1 (Had 2 hooked up) of the subs would kick off. I found that if I hit the amp (not hard lol) It would kick on sometimes. Try that, you might have a short inside the amp it self. just a suggestion.

Donner · 12-21-2008, 01:11 PM

If it's not grounded to the base of the seat at the floorboard, then it's attached to the hinge where the seat folds. The amp looses grounding when the seat moves, just a guess. If it's at the floorboard, then there should be no movement unless the seat comes up when the brakes are applied...

JohnnyBoy1102 · 12-21-2008, 01:30 PM

It sounds to me like the current from the brakes is causing and issue. do you have the ground bolted near any open wiring harnesses? it is possible its losing ground but you said your only tapping the brakes so i wouldnt think it would cause a seat to move in a little car.

12-14-2008, 09:35 PM	#1
JIGAWHAAT Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,148 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Strange amp problem So I bought a used amp at the flea market today (not for my Explorer but for my corolla) I wired it up and all was fine. Then while driving around, The subs cut completely out. Still had power to the amp but nothing coming out of the subs. After driving for a while I noticed when I tapped my brake pedal, The subs kicked in again (not every time, but this seems to be the trigger to turning them on again). This happened many times today. The amp is wired directally to the battery and is grounded to one of my rear seat bolts. Any ideas????????? PS: When I say tapping the brakes, I really mean tapping. Its not like I am slamming on my brakes so the subs and amp are bouncing around in my trunk via the whole loose connection issue. I just touch the brake pedal and it kicks everything back on. Something funky is going on here! Thanks in advance. JIGA __________________ MY MARTIN TRUEX FORUM

12-14-2008, 10:27 PM	#2
JIGAWHAAT Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,148 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	I guess this one stumped all you audio guys no? __________________ MY MARTIN TRUEX FORUM

12-15-2008, 09:23 PM	#6
kelly2 Wannabe Elite Explorer Kansas City, Mo '97 XLT Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 499 Vehicle Specs	remote wire connected to what? __________________ 1997 XLT 4x4, 3" BL, WAR 153, 31"x10.5" Goodyear Wrangler A/TS -- SOLD Free advice is worth the price you pay.

12-21-2008, 01:11 PM	#8
Donner Wannabe Elite Explorer Natomas/Irvine 01 Sp 03 XLT 4x4s, Scion Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6,844 Vehicle Specs	If it's not grounded to the base of the seat at the floorboard, then it's attached to the hinge where the seat folds. The amp looses grounding when the seat moves, just a guess. If it's at the floorboard, then there should be no movement unless the seat comes up when the brakes are applied... __________________ http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=240001 For Sale stuff

12-21-2008, 01:30 PM	#9
JohnnyBoy1102 Wannabe Elite Explorer Baltimore, MD 98 Sport Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 104 Vehicle Specs	It sounds to me like the current from the brakes is causing and issue. do you have the ground bolted near any open wiring harnesses? it is possible its losing ground but you said your only tapping the brakes so i wouldnt think it would cause a seat to move in a little car. __________________ 98 Explorer Sport, 2 Door 4 X 4. - 2 12 inch MTX magnum Subwoofers (cheap temps)- 1000 Watt MTX magnum Amp ( Again, Cheap temp)- 120 Watt 6 X 8 Rockford Fosgate Punch 3 Way Speakers - Kenwood MP538U Single Din Head unit with USB/ Ipod Interface.- Possible mod coming soon, 2 Memphis Audio 12 Inch Subs. depending on money and time. - All Black Custom headliner- other than that mostly stock.

12-14-2008, 10:37 PM	#3
rumproast789 Wannabe Elite Explorer Mi 02 XLT Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 67 Vehicle Specs	i was going to say it might be killing your alternator/ it can't handle it, but i re read it and you said brake pedal so I don't know... whats your voltage at do you know? at battery and amp

12-15-2008, 04:36 AM	#4
Garretthomas Wannabe Elite Explorer Independence 96 explorer xlt Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 60 Vehicle Specs	what kinda amp is it it doesnt happen to be a rockford fosgate does it?? and if its not a rockford try taking your ground out and sanding it down to a shiny metal were u ground it and then clean your battery terminals off. and if it is a rockford sometimes they have a short in the piece on top of them try to jam it into place were it works. if this doesnt work write back and i will give more suggestions

12-21-2008, 08:46 AM	#7
CrazyAlaskan Wannabe Elite Explorer Wasilla, Alaska 1994 Explorer Limited 4wd Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 290 Vehicle Specs	I had the same problum with a set up I use to have a Buick regal, Only 1 (Had 2 hooked up) of the subs would kick off. I found that if I hit the amp (not hard lol) It would kick on sometimes. Try that, you might have a short inside the amp it self. just a suggestion.