Amp Troubles

[RDSHunter 10+ year member]

Hello,

I recently installed 4 speakers, a head unit and amp to my '06 Cobalt LT, however I'm having troubles with my amp. From what I've read my amp keeps going into protection mode. At high volumes the amp will cut out (lights turn off) but only at certain points in songs. When this happens the speakers become very quiet and staticy and then return to normal until they draw too much power again. Wondering what the best solution to this problem would be so I could push normal power to my speakers. A friend suggested that my electrical system may need an upgrade as well, how would I go about doing this?

Head Unit: Kenwood Excelon KDC-X494

Front Speakers: Rainbow SLX 265 2-Way 6.5" Components (2)

Rear Speakers: Rainbow KX 6x9" 2-Way Coaxial (2)

Amp: MTX TC4004 4 Channel 400 Watt Thunder TC

Thanks

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[misfit138 5,000+ posts]

I'm going out on a limb here.

Your gain isn't set properly.

 

[RDSHunter 10+ year member]

My friend and I played extensivly with my gains and other amp/head unit settings to no avail. I also double checked my connections to make sure they were solid.

 

[misfit138 5,000+ posts]

My friend and I played extensivly with my gains and other amp/head unit settings to no avail. I also double checked my connections to make sure they were solid.

I'm sticking with my original comment. You shouldn't have to "play" with your gains. There are many online tutorials that'll walk you through setting them correctly with a dmm.

 

[RDSHunter 10+ year member]

Even with my gains all the way down my amp loses power at those high points. Its also getting VERY hot. Any new insight?

 

[tonka 10+ year member]

reversed polarities? or maby your speakers dont have the correct OHM ratings??

 

[RDSHunter 10+ year member]

Both speaker sets are 4 ohms and my amp is set at 4 as well. All of my wiring is correct between pos. and neg.

 

[ikillzombienuns 10+ year member]

you could have a bad ground might be possible. or your power wire is to small maybe its clipping out and getting hot cuz its being pushed to hard. never had that amp but its possible its just to much for it i had a kenwood once that kept getting hot and shutting off i upgraded to the next amp up in size and it was fine.

 

[Phoenix Risen 10+ year member]

how exactly do you have everything wired up?

 

[osl 10+ year member]

Sounds like a bad ground. Either that or a bad amp. You do have to make a REAL grounding point, not just unbolting something and calling it your ground.