Aftermarket HU installation help

[JLBean]

I have an Alpine IDA-x305 that I am trying to install into a 2002 Camaro Z28 with the monsoon system. I have everything wired up but I am having a problem with the volume control. Basically all it does it go from 0 (no sound) to 100 (full blast).

I am guessing this has something to do with level outputs and inputs but I am not 100% sure. Can anyone confirm this for me and let me know what I need to do to correct problem? I know that its best to just by pass the monsoon system, but I have spent enough already and will be waiting to finist the rest so I would really like to use the current monsoon amp and speakers for now.

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[jeeper07 5,000+ posts]

well if they are already amplified and your using a hu with an internal amplifier that might be a problem.

 

[JLBean]

They are always on that setup. The OEM stereo is amplified too, there is no remote wire for amp turn on it uses the sig from HU to trigger amp to power on. I can turn switch on bottom of HU to EXT AMP but then the amp doesnt power on.

 

[jeeper07 5,000+ posts]

Have you gone to a camaro forum to look into this? I've done an install on a monsoon ***** am but it was probably 5 years ago now and i don't remember what i had to do. I know on some you have to buy a module and a special harness. Sorry I cant be of more help, but I would find a camaro forum for the quickest answer.

 

[JLBean]

Oh yeah, but its been little help so far. I have been sitting on this project for about a week now and have not made any progress so I figured I would try here. I talked to Alpine customer service but the guy I got on the phone was a real beat off know it all type and didnt really try to help me out much. It was like he was all defensive and made sure I was aware that the problem was on my end and not with the HU itself. not that it was ever in question. Anyway he told me I needed a PAC converter because I was using high level output to low level input...but I cant find what I need. I was on a Camaro forum and all it says I need is the wiring harness, but thats not working. I may call Alpine back tomorrow and see if I cant get a more friendly rep on the phone to help me out a little further.

 

[jeeper07 5,000+ posts]

alpine will not help you, as long as their product is good they will usually treat you like that. I find it hard to believe that there is no help on the camaro forums. lemme see if i cant find something

 

[jeeper07 5,000+ posts]

Monsoon in 98-02 Camaro upgrade facts. - The Z28 Forums looks like it might be bad wiring or the hu is in fact messed up, try unplugging the amp and seeing what happens. from what i read there are some speakers only powered off the hu and the rest are from the amp

 

[JLBean]

Yep LS1tech is a pretty good forum, youll find me on there under the same name begging for help too.

 

[JLBean]

Yes while some speakers are only powered off the amp everything still passes through there...with amp unplugged or like I said with EXT AMP switched no sound is produced at all. I have read this FAQ on the monsoon system and thats why I just went and bought the correct harness and ANT adapter. It just doesnt make any sense at all. I know its wired correctly, I have done enough installs to know how to do that but I have never tapped into a cars "premium" system before.

 

[jeeper07 5,000+ posts]

Yes while some speakers are only powered off the amp everything still passes through there...with amp unplugged or like I said with EXT AMP switched no sound is produced at all. I have read this FAQ on the monsoon system and thats why I just went and bought the correct harness and ANT adapter. It just doesnt make any sense at all. I know its wired correctly, I have done enough installs to know how to do that but I have never tapped into a cars "premium" system before.

Have you tried a different head unit? and w the external amp switched off i read it as tho you should still get music from these speakers, front door tweeters and far hatch 4 inch speakers at 4ohm.

 

[JLBean]

Nope but I am so glad I got to talk to you because it at least got me to thinking again. Im a retard. This whole time I forgot that I had hooked back up the Imprint , and its not wired properly to have the imprint hooked up...thats why it was full blast, I never ran the RCA cables to the processor. LOL Thanks for the help man

 

[jeeper07 5,000+ posts]

haha glad i could.... help?? lol. Sometimes you just have to sit back and go through the steps again, its usually the small things.

 

[Louisiana_CRX 5,000+ posts]

Glad you figured it out...i never have had any problems with hooking up aftermarket decks to the monsoon systems...some of the stuff out there can be hell to interface to though