Can Power Wires Go Bad?

[Phase One 10+ year member]

I made a thread a week or so ago about my amp not powering on. After making that thread, I tapped the power & ground wires together to see if I'm getting any juice, and not a spark. So, I re-did the wires under the hood (shaved some, tightened them, even tho they were like that at first.) and after I did that, my amp turned on. Everything was fine there after. Until earlier today, same problem happens. Listening to music at a normal level, all of a sudden amp shuts off. I go back, tap the power to the ground, no spark. So I'm like WTF, and I try to re-do the wires under the hood, but this time it doesn't work. I tried everything to get the power wire to get some kind of juice, but nothing works. Can Power Wires go bad like that? I've had mine for about 4 years.

It can't be my amp going bad because otherwise I'd have some kind of spark going when I tap the ground & power. All of my fuses are good, so that cancels that out.

Anyone have this same problem before?

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[*SlappinAzz*]

yes, they burn out

 

[Phase One 10+ year member]

Thanks. That gives me some kind of hope that it's nothing major that I'm not seeing.

I'm going to order some Knukonceptz and re-do everything.

 

[*SlappinAzz*]

Thanks. That gives me some kind of hope that it's nothing major that I'm not seeing.
I'm going to order some Knukonceptz and re-do everything.

i love my knu wiring, hasn't failed me yet.

 

[Phase One 10+ year member]

Nice! They seem to be like a good reputable place to get wire from. Hopefully this solves my problem. I'd be pissed to spend this much for wire when that's not the problem. But, it's gotta be.

 

[gunz4me2 10+ year member]

They can also corrode to the point where resistance renders them useless. I had it happen with the starter wire on my 1997 Civic and my under the hood factory grounds in the same car. I should have taken photos of how bluish green the wires were when I cut into them with a lot of chalky corrosion.

 

[Magnus 10+ year member]

Typically power and ground wires "don't go bad" because they are on the inside of your car. If they are under the hood then make sure to safely protect them from the elements. Wires are just cooper and when exposed to the elements they corrode.

 

[Phase One 10+ year member]

^ I see what you're saying. I just don't understand why "juice" stops running through it every now and then. I tried everything I could think of, so my last option is new wires.

 

[*SlappinAzz*]

A year ago, my amps stopped turning on, switched out the power wire with fresh wire, worked perfectly.

 

[Phase One 10+ year member]

I don't know. I checked closely through the wire to see if I saw any burn spots or anything, and everything looks fine. Although, the fuse holder has some black spots and rust spots where the fuse sits in it, but nothing major.

 

[Phoenix Risen 10+ year member]

if your getting new wire and you plan on upgrading what your running at any time it may be a good idea to put 1/0 in now, just saves time and trouble later.

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

Get good wire, try to keep it from the elements, keep connections secure.

 

[gunz4me2 10+ year member]

I started using Kopr-shield on my under the hood crimps as well as applying RTV inside the heat shrink tubing. Heck, I brush Kopr-shield on my battery terminals too!

 

[Phase One 10+ year member]

Too late. I already ordered 4ga. Same ga I have now. :shrugs:

 

[d77543020 10+ year member]

yea they go bad my car wouldn't start cause the starter wire went bad