Mach system subwoofer not working.

[sidneyhop]

My subwoofer has no sound coming from it at all and I couldnt find a fuse for it in the fuse panal. Is there a seperate location for a fuse if it blows?

I pryed the cover panal in front of the sub off and the outside foam surround is damaged so it will need to be replaced but that wouldnt explain why there isnt anything coming from it.

Are the amps in that rear area also? Whats the best way to access the amp and also the best way to replace the sub?

Thanks

 

[lycan91]

there should be a fuse on your power cord to your amp by your battery. check all your wireing i know that sounds redundent but sometimes we forget to make sure everything is connected. if its not that your amp maybe shot. mine is im pretty sure.

 

[scucci]

Fuse 29 powers sub woofer and radio according to the service manual. Best way to access the sub amp is to pull the entire panel. If you go to the mtx web sight and download the install instructions for the MTX Thunderform for the explorer it gives the tools and instructions for removing the interior panel.

You may just have an open voice coil in the sub speaker - no sound. Oem replacement sub speakers are available at http://oem-auto-accessory.com/factory_ford_radios.html.

Hope this helps.
Scucci

 

[sidneyhop]

Fuse 29 powers sub woofer and radio according to the service manual. Best way to access the sub amp is to pull the entire panel. If you go to the mtx web sight and download the install instructions for the MTX Thunderform for the explorer it gives the tools and instructions for removing the interior panel.

You may just have an open voice coil in the sub speaker - no sound. Oem replacement sub speakers are available at http://oem-auto-accessory.com/factory_ford_radios.html.

Hope this helps.
Scucci

The radio works fine (except for the display which is a seperate issue) but nothing from the sub so I guess it isnt the fuse. Are you saying if the sub voice coil is damaged the sub wont work? Does it appear as if the amp is shot?

Thanks btw for the mtx sub removal doc link...great info.

 

[scucci]

If the sub woofer voice coil is open, there will be no sound. There is no way to no if the amp is good or bad with the information you have given. There are many reasons the sub would not work, starting with the radio output, connectors, wire harness, sub amp and sub woofer. Pull the radio and check that all connectors are fully seated - the 8 pin connector is the sub woofer output connector. Then if no worky, pull the interior panel and remove the sub woofer from its box. Then check the voice coil with an ohm meter.
If it checks good check at the sub woofer amp power connector for 12 volts and the turn on lead for 5 volts with the radio on. If you have a library card your local library most likely has a link to ebsco host for reference materials. Ebsco has the manual for your explorer online and the schematics.

Good Luck
Scucci

 

[sidneyhop]

If the sub woofer voice coil is open, there will be no sound. There is no way to no if the amp is good or bad with the information you have given. There are many reasons the sub would not work, starting with the radio output, connectors, wire harness, sub amp and sub woofer. Pull the radio and check that all connectors are fully seated - the 8 pin connector is the sub woofer output connector. Then if no worky, pull the interior panel and remove the sub woofer from its box. Then check the voice coil with an ohm meter.
If it checks good check at the sub woofer amp power connector for 12 volts and the turn on lead for 5 volts with the radio on. If you have a library card your local library most likely has a link to ebsco host for reference materials. Ebsco has the manual for your explorer online and the schematics.

Good Luck
Scucci

I pulled the radio and all the wires are fully seated. Ill pull the panel in the rear and check what you said. I was also thinking I may just put in another more powerful amp and a more powerful sub while I have it all apart. I read in another thread that the stock enclosure is 15 liters or .5 cubic feet. Whats the highest wattage sub that would effectively work with that enclosure?

 

[scucci]

I don't know what the highest wattage amp or sub you could put in it would be.Beware- the radio uses a differential output and the sub amp has a differential input. That means that there is a positive signal line, a negative signal line and a shield wire instead of RCA phono plugs.

To run an aftermarket sub woofer amp with the Mach head unit you need a LOC/differential to single ended converter such as the LOCB.2 from soundgate-
http://www.soundgate.com/index.php?request=product.details&productid=431&usereferrer=1&
I use the LOCB.2 on my system-Mach head unit with thunderform amplified sub woofer.
You would also need a 5 volt to 12 volt turn on -low voltage trigger. I use soundgates trigloHD on my system with an MTX amplified thunderform I purchased on Ebay. Peripheral electronics makes the LVT2 and it is only about $8.00 on line.

Not trying to scare you off, just trying to arm you with reliable information.

Scucci

 

[sidneyhop]

I don't know what the highest wattage amp or sub you could put in it would be.Beware- the radio uses a differential output and the sub amp has a differential input. That means that there is a positive signal line, a negative signal line and a shield wire instead of RCA phono plugs.

To run an aftermarket sub woofer amp with the Mach head unit you need a LOC/differential to single ended converter such as the LOCB.2 from soundgate-
http://www.soundgate.com/index.php?request=product.details&productid=431&usereferrer=1&
I use the LOCB.2 on my system-Mach head unit with thunderform amplified sub woofer.
You would also need a 5 volt to 12 volt turn on -low voltage trigger. I use soundgates trigloHD on my system with an MTX amplified thunderform I purchased on Ebay. Peripheral electronics makes the LVT2 and it is only about $8.00 on line.

Not trying to scare you off, just trying to arm you with reliable information.

Scucci

Ok...I was not aware of all the extra steps needed. How much power does the stock mach amp put out? I was looking on ebay and found a mach 460 amp from a 96 mustang I could pick up for cheap. Would this work with a 98 explorer? Maybe better to just replace my old with another mach amp if mine is toasted. I just won an auction for a 200 watt 8" JBL sub to replace the old sub thats wrecked. Im not looking to create an absolutely amazing system, just restore it to original quality or just a little better than it was originally.

 

[TheVarmit]

sindeyhop - my woofer stopped working, the dealership said the woofer was blown. I took the woofer out and tested it and it was fine. So, I replaced the amp and still no sound from the woofer so I started tracing the wires. No problems there nor with any fuses. Soooo, I took the cover off the radio/cd and on the tiny circuit board where the wires plug in from the amp/woofer there was a small diode burnt in half. I replaced the HU with one out of a mustang (similar but not exactly the same) and everything is great now. I could replace the diode if I had one and a soldering iron...and will do soon.

 

[sidneyhop]

sindeyhop - my woofer stopped working, the dealership said the woofer was blown. I took the woofer out and tested it and it was fine. So, I replaced the amp and still no sound from the woofer so I started tracing the wires. No problems there nor with any fuses. Soooo, I took the cover off the radio/cd and on the tiny circuit board where the wires plug in from the amp/woofer there was a small diode burnt in half. I replaced the HU with one out of a mustang (similar but not exactly the same) and everything is great now. I could replace the diode if I had one and a soldering iron...and will do soon.

Good to know...thanks. If after I test my amp I still cant come up with anything Ill know where to look next.

 

[TheVarmit]

sidneyhop - what did you find wrong with your system? Had a chance to check it out?

 

[sidneyhop]

sidneyhop - what did you find wrong with your system? Had a chance to check it out?

Im still waiting on the sub to be delivered. Hopefully this weekend Ill be able to pull it all apart and start the trouble shooting process. Ive since discovered my left rear speaker isnt working either. Wonder if the problems are related.

 

[TheVarmit]

sidneyhop - what's the diagnosis? It's been a month.