Amp blowing fuses

[jonandty]

My son recently purchased his first vehicle and it's a 2002 GMC Sonoma so of course one of the first things he needs is a sound system. So with limited funds he starts looking at some used equipment at pawn shops and online. He finds great equipment made for his truck specifically like a JL Stealthbox. We installed everything properly and it sounded great. Next day he starts the truck and no subs working. Had blown a fuse in the fuse block. So I found another power source for the remote wire which was a light in ash tray. Worked great till the next day and same thing. Blew another fuse. The head unit does not have a power antenna wire to connect the remote wire to. Any suggestions as to where to connect the wire to or what could be the problem? Thanks

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[CSCStang]

My son recently purchased his first vehicle and it's a 2002 GMC Sonoma so of course one of the first things he needs is a sound system. So with limited funds he starts looking at some used equipment at pawn shops and online. He finds great equipment made for his truck specifically like a JL Stealthbox. We installed everything properly and it sounded great. Next day he starts the truck and no subs working. Had blown a fuse in the fuse block. So I found another power source for the remote wire which was a light in ash tray. Worked great till the next day and same thing. Blew another fuse. The head unit does not have a power antenna wire to connect the remote wire to. Any suggestions as to where to connect the wire to or what could be the problem? Thanks

Where is the power wire running to? What gauge is it and what amp is he running? What amp fuses are you tapping into? Is the ground on bare metal?

 

[jonandty]

First time it was running to a source in the radio harness till it blew a fuse. Second time I ran it to the light in the ash tray and it worked fine. Ststred the truck a few times that night and no problems. Next day it blew another fuse. Wire size I would guess it probably 18 gauge or next size larger.

 

[CSCStang]

First time it was running to a source in the radio harness till it blew a fuse. Second time I ran it to the light in the ash tray and it worked fine. Ststred the truck a few times that night and no problems. Next day it blew another fuse. Wire size I would guess it probably 18 gauge or next size larger.

If you're running the power wire to a fuse in the box or dash, there's your problem. The power wire has to go to the battery with an inline fuse. The remote wire goes to the fuse box. If it's 18 gauge (power) it's way too small. What amp is it running??

 

[jonandty]

I'm sorry if I didn't clarify. ...the wire I talking about is the remote wire for the amp. The source I connect that wire too keeps blowing. I'm sorry for not being specific. He's running a 600 watt Powerbass amp.

 

[CSCStang]

I'm sorry if I didn't clarify. ...the wire I talking about is the remote wire for the amp. The source I connect that wire too keeps blowing. I'm sorry for not being specific. He's running a 600 watt Powerbass amp.

No worries. Do you know what size fuses are blowing?

 

[jonandty]

I believe that they are either 10 or 15 watt but I'm not 100% sure.

 

[CSCStang]

I believe that they are either 10 or 15 watt but I'm not 100% sure.

Yeah if they're that rating, they shouldn't be popping. Could be an issue with the amp itself. Does he have a buddy with an amp that he could try out in place to troubleshoot? Use all the same wires and try a different one. You really don't know what you're getting from a pawn shop.

 

[los33 10+ year member]

I just re-read everything..

Try placing the remote wire on the amp power wire to see if the amp turns on.

 

[los33 10+ year member]

Delete

 

[brian84corvette 10+ year member]

man is talking about the trucks fuze pannel blowing the fuze that holds the accesory remote turn on wire.

jump the power spot on the amp to the remote spot on the amp with this

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2006/10/12VKeyOn/Images/3_sm.jpg

start off with a 10 amp fuze. if you wana be real good also wire this in the line to switch off and on.

http://www.wiringdepot.com/images/thumbs/2941F.JPG

otherwise you have to pull the fuze to turn off the amp when you turn off the truck.

but

its a quick eazy way to identify if its a problem in the amp - or a problem in your hook up wire in the dash.

 

[Babykinns 10+ year member]

My son recently purchased his first vehicle and it's a 2002 GMC Sonoma so of course one of the first things he needs is a sound system. So with limited funds he starts looking at some used equipment at pawn shops and online. He finds great equipment made for his truck specifically like a JL Stealthbox. We installed everything properly and it sounded great. Next day he starts the truck and no subs working. Had blown a fuse in the fuse block. So I found another power source for the remote wire which was a light in ash tray. Worked great till the next day and same thing. Blew another fuse. The head unit does not have a power antenna wire to connect the remote wire to. Any suggestions as to where to connect the wire to or what could be the problem? Thanks

Turn the gain/level knob down. On the amp that is.

 

[yogegoy]

Shorting a power cable or a speaker wire will always result to a blown fuse. Use a DMM in ohms mode for continuity test of all your cables. A blue wire is most common for a remote turn on lead from the head unit. Red is for accessory or ignition while yellowis for hot or battery direct (hot) and black or brown is for ground. Check cables pinching using a DMM, you cannot skip this test because all audio instalations go through this. Only a continuity test will help you find the culprit, also do not replace the blown fuse with a higher rating because that is not the way fixing your problem. Using a lower rated fuse will also help you know if a problem still exist as soon as it blows.