Noob needs a lot of help. Really confused.

[BAZ 10+ year member]

Alright, here goes: I decided that it would be fun to piece together a budget stereo for my '94 x-cab toyota truck. I got deals on used stuff here and there and finally got around to installing it last night. (first install)

Here's what I have:

-Clarion DXZ745MP

-Blaupunkt 6.5" 2 ways in the doors and in the rear of the extra cab (they **** and I will be going to components in the front when money presents itself)

-MTX RT2120 to power the components (not yet installed)

-MTX RT2200X powering the sub

-Clarion SRW1045 10" sub in ported box

-5 guage wire (schose kit)

My problems so far:

-Amp gets really hot and seems to shut down after playing hard for a few minutes

-When I hook my ipod into the aux input it only plays through the front two speakers (I'm using one of those Monster Cable "Y" cables) THIS ESPECIALLY SUCKS AS IT WAS THE MAIN REASON I BOUGHT THE DECK IN THE FIRST PLACE!

-Sometimes i get a popping from the sub while playing like rap and bassy stuff (my gain is barely turned up at all)

Things that confuse me:

The clarion deck is really nice, but trying to fine tune it is really confusing to me. For example, the "2 zone" feature. You can set it to "sub", "main", or off. I dont notice a difference in sound quality at all. Also, subwoofer volume doesnt do anything, low pass crossover, etc. I dont notice any difference in Sound quality at all when I play around with this stuff. What am I doing wrong?

My amp is supposed to push like 300 or 400 watts RMS when bridged at 4 ohms and I have a 4 ohm sub. The RMS rating on the sub is 300 watts. People ask me how its wired and I'm not really sure what to tell them. I have the 2 channels bridged like the diagram says on the side of the amp. Does this mean I'm running 4 ohms?

Sorry in advance for the 101 questions, I'm just new to this stuff and need all the help I can get. i dont want to end up screwing anything up. :cheers:

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[BAZ 10+ year member]

UPDATE:

Looks like I blew the sub. Great!

I need serious help, and a new sub. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[Worlddre 5,000+ posts]

for the clarion go to their website and DL the manual thats what i did and now i know how to use my HU

the amp could be getting hot and shutting of if the gains are not set correctly. check the gain setting tutorial in the amplifier forum for how to do this correctly

also you should pick up some 8 guage power and ground wire could also be related to the amp heating up and such

 

[.::DuD3::. 10+ year member]

well if the amp is overheating, make sure its in a well vented place. if you cant do that, throw some fans in there on a relay wired to your remote on your amp. that way when turn your amp on, your fans will come on also, keeping your amps nice and cool.

 

[BAZ 10+ year member]

for the clarion go to their website and DL the manual thats what i did and now i know how to use my HU
the amp could be getting hot and shutting of if the gains are not set correctly. check the gain setting tutorial in the amplifier forum for how to do this correctly

also you should pick up some 8 guage power and ground wire could also be related to the amp heating up and such

I have the manual for the deck. It's not really that much help. For example, I have a bunch of inputs and outputs coming from the back of the deck that arent labeled or mentioned in the manual so I have no idea which is which here. (pre-outs and aux. inputs) Also, wouldnt 8 gauge wire be a downgrade from my 5 gauge? I thought the bigger the number, the smaller the wire. I have 5 gauge power and 9 gauge ground.

well if the amp is overheating, make sure its in a well vented place. if you cant do that, throw some fans in there on a relay wired to your remote on your amp. that way when turn your amp on, your fans will come on also, keeping your amps nice and cool.

Cool, i will try that when I get a new sub.

 

[i like guns 10+ year member]

go to the amplifier section and read how to set gains with a multimeter. I dont know what HU you have but if as good as i'm assuming then it will have at least 4volt pre-outs. That means you will have to turn your gains up less compared to, say, a stock HU.

 

[Worlddre 5,000+ posts]

I have the manual for the deck. It's not really that much help. For example, I have a bunch of inputs and outputs coming from the back of the deck that arent labeled or mentioned in the manual so I have no idea which is which here. (pre-outs and aux. inputs) Also, wouldnt 8 gauge wire be a downgrade from my 5 gauge? I thought the bigger the number, the smaller the wire. I have 5 gauge power and 9 gauge ground.



Cool, i will try that when I get a new sub.

pardon the 8 guage thing i was misread the post but do invest in and equal guage ground has power the 5-9 thing is definately contributing to your amp heat probs.

 

[NJack2AF 10+ year member]

For the amp so u can set the gains right:

http://www.caraudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=63933

As far as the Hu, can't help ya I'm not familiar with those...

As far as the low pass, crossover and such this will at least help you understand what some of those things are for (I know it's for speakers but it is really good information that I wish I woulda learned when I first started getting into car audio)

http://www.caraudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=90412

For the way your sub is wired u need to figure out if it is a dual voice coil config. or a single. Then you can look here to see how to hook it up for 4 ohms: EDIT

http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/ISEO-rgbtcspd/learningcenter/car/subwoofers_wiring.html

You should use the same size wire for your power input and ground wire on your amp.

With the way your HU is acting it sounds like you have some things hooked up wrong or it is broken. Did you buy it used? Did you hook it up yourself?