I finally narrowed my system's problems down to this. Please read

[BobTheSlob 10+ year member]

After countless weeks of testing everything I could do by myself, I went to my friend's house. He recently ripped apart his system, so we had parts to spare. I put my sub box in his trunk, and tested the sub. Perfect. So, since we knew his amp worked with my sub, we put my sub box back in my car along with his amp. We plugged the Power, Ground, and Remote wire ONLY into his amp first. It powered on. It was glorious. But, then we plugged in my RCA cables.

Before I go on, I would like to list what I have read for voltages in my car

Battery gives ~14.4V while the car is on.

My power wire reads ~14.4V while the car ison.

My remote wire reads ~14.4V while the car is on.

My GROUND wire reads ~60mV while the car is on. 60mV is pretty low. That's ok right?

Now, the RCA cables. I tested the voltage by testing the metal sleeve around the plug.

It reads ~14.4V while the car is on.

When we plugged the RCA cables into his amp, it did the same thing mine does. It shut off.

Now, my amp's manual says that if the RCA cables are sending DC voltage, which they are, then the Diagnostic light will come on, which it does.

My RCA cables are sending ~14.4V of DC current to my amp. Why is this happening, and how can I stop it?

Click to read more...

 

[junocdx 10+ year member]

That measure is wrong. You measured with a multimeter right? Make sure if it's like adjustable or anything, that you have it set to the right range. Also, make sure that you are testing for the right thing.

As far as your RCAs sending 14.4V... thats just messed up. I dont know what to tell you. I guess just go back and make sure all your wires are connected right. LoL Sorry I couldn't help.. but since no one else replied I figured I would! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[BobTheSlob 10+ year member]

Originally posted by junocdx That measure is wrong. You measured with a multimeter right? Make sure if it's like adjustable or anything, that you have it set to the right range. Also, make sure that you are testing for the right thing.

 

As far as your RCAs sending 14.4V... thats just messed up. I dont know what to tell you. I guess just go back and make sure all your wires are connected right. LoL Sorry I couldn't help.. but since no one else replied I figured I would! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

what do you mean the reading is wrong? ive been told 14.4V while the car is on is what i want.

 

[maylar 10+ year member]

Now, the RCA cables. I tested the voltage by testing the metal sleeve around the plug.

 

It reads ~14.4V while the car is on.

OK, I misunderstood your PM. You say that the RCA cable shield measures 14 volts to ground? The only way that can happen is if the head unit isn't grounded.
The other end of the RCA's plug into the head unit. The connector sleeves should get grounded at that end through the HU chassis.

You can prove this by measuring from the HU chassis to a ground spot up front... from waht you're saying, there should be 14 volts there. That'd do it fer sure..

 

[BobTheSlob 10+ year member]

Originally posted by maylar OK, I misunderstood your PM. You say that the RCA cable shield measures 14 volts to ground? The only way that can happen is if the head unit isn't grounded.

 

The other end of the RCA's plug into the head unit. The connector sleeves should get grounded at that end through the HU chassis.

 

You can prove this by measuring from the HU chassis to a ground spot up front... from waht you're saying, there should be 14 volts there. That'd do it fer sure..

So you are saying that I should just check the HU to make sure its grounded.

 

[Wonderbread 5,000+ posts]

are your RCAs plugged into the deck?

like in the proper place?

 

[BobTheSlob 10+ year member]

Originally posted by Wonderbread are your RCAs plugged into the deck?

like in the proper place?

yep. i dont have sub outs, so they are in the rear outs.

 

[Wonderbread 5,000+ posts]

ok... then the problem is in your deck... is it under warranty? is it grounded properly?