Quick help desired: amp problems

[drkodin 10+ year member]

Copied from CAF cause i really need an answer if i have to rip out a bunch wires (time to do it more than anything)

The setup:

Pioneer 940mp

Diamond Audio HEX 600s powered off a Lanzar OPTI 500.2 (this amp has the problems)

2 12" XXX off a Directed 2400d

0awg power from yellow top under hood to yellow top in back of 04 Trailblazer

both amps grounded to rear batt, + run from rear batt through fused distro into both amps

Remote wires and HU Turn-on wired to switch (long story that isn't worth telling)

The Background:

There were a few threads a while ago about amps either not starting up or just shutting off once the cold weather hit. I myself started having issues with my 500.2 when the cold weather hit and have never had any issues in the 2 years that I have run the amp. The amp works fine when it powers up but will also turn on or off randomly, and it only started about a month ago yet the install hasn't changed in over a year.

The key bit of info that could help in the diagnostics(sp?) is that a co-worker used my truck on a working trip and the issue happened to him. I drove from TX to Indiana and didn't have any problems at all, he then started to use my truck to drive around town and mentioned to me later that evening that sometimes the front speakers just cut out, then came back in after about 6sec or so. I never had this issue before and he was using burned cds so i just said ok and didn't think twice about it. Every time he used the truck he said it happened randomly, including his drive from Indiana to TX (i had to stay and work ). After i got back home and used the stereo i never had the issue he complained about.....untill now.

What i've done:

Replaced speaker wires from amp to xovers and chaecked all connections

Amp is getting 12.4V when car is off (remote and +), 14.4 when car is on

Grounds are good

both batts are good

2400d has no issues what so ever and shares remote, ground, and + connections.

MOST IMPORTANTLY: Today i finally caught the amp having its problems when i could test it with a dmm. Works fine then all of a sudden the green power LED on the amp fades out and the music cuts out, yet the amp was still getting the regular feed from the remote wire. after a while the LED fades back on (still green, never even flickered red) then a second or so after full illumination the music kicks back on.

Finally, the Question!:

Before i rip all the wires out of my doors to replace them, which i was going to do before i caught the amp with a dmm, is this just the amp finally going bad? I don't mind getting a new amp, i'll have to save for a little but as long as we are 99% sure that is the issue i don't really have a problem. I personally, with the knowledge i have and what i have seen install wise, want to say the amp is just on its last life and needs to be replaced, but i want more opinions before dishing out $300 just to have the same issue.

also, a side question: for those who know, is the ed 200X or whatever the model is (200rms x 2) a good amp? Is it worth dealing with ed? the last time i ordered from them i finally got my stuff 8mo later //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif .

Click to read more...

 

[chinny 5,000+ posts]

Get a new amp, you have a gremlin in your system.

 

[drkodin 10+ year member]

Get a new amp, you have a gremlin in your system.

lol, a gremlin. i completely agree though.

anyone else?

btw, i want all opinions and as many responces as possible (once again $300 sucks if the problem remains). i have to go do some vinyl work though //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif so i'll be back in a bit.

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

Well, the first thing that comes to mind after reading your description of having witnessed this problem happening is that it would appear to be either

A) A loose connection...somewhere

B) A wire is only barely touching metal somewhere...possibly pinched and compromised insulation where wire runs through metal somewhere...I don't know.

You stated having changed the wire from the amp to the crossover. Did you check that the wire from the crossover to the mid and/or to the tweeter was okay as well?

Have you popped the top on that Lanzar to see if there's anything that looks amiss on the board anywhere?

The only thing that comes to mind after reading your original post is wiring after the crossover having issues or mechanical issues with the amp. Outside of those two things I wouldn't know what to suggest you look for.

/topic but I'd like to say nice gear! (the DATs and the XXXs ftw //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/thumbsup.gif.3287b36ca96645a13a43aff531f37f02.gif )

Is there another amp you could put in the Lanzar's place to see if the problem persists?

 

[drkodin 10+ year member]

Well, the first thing that comes to mind after reading your description of having witnessed this problem happening is that it would appear to be either
A) A loose connection...somewhere

B) A wire is only barely touching metal somewhere...possibly pinched and compromised insulation where wire runs through metal somewhere...I don't know.

You stated having changed the wire from the amp to the crossover. Did you check that the wire from the crossover to the mid and/or to the tweeter was okay as well?

no i haven't yet, it was in the question i asked. i was able to test the amp with a dmm and didn't see a protection light come on. so i was asking if it is just an amp issue, not install, so i didn't have to spend 3 hrs replacing wires.

Have you popped the top on that Lanzar to see if there's anything that looks amiss on the board anywhere?

no i haven't, but to be honest i would know what to look for in this case. i can see blown/damaged parts, but the amp is in perfect working order when it is actually on, and it always comes back on so i doubt anything is blown inside. This is one of those things that i will do if someone tells me to look at xxx place on the circuit board cause it could be a certain problem, but just poking around i dont know enough.

The only thing that comes to mind after reading your original post is wiring after the crossover having issues or mechanical issues with the amp. Outside of those two things I wouldn't know what to suggest you look for.

/topic but I'd like to say nice gear! (the DATs and the XXXs ftw //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/thumbsup.gif.3287b36ca96645a13a43aff531f37f02.gif )

Is there another amp you could put in the Lanzar's place to see if the problem persists?

sadly i dont have another amp. thanks for the comments on the equip though.

 

[djman37 5,000+ posts]

pull the amp out and have it bench tested somewhere. I agree it's most likely the amp or wiring. Eliminate 1 of the causes by removing the amp and testing it.

 

[drkodin 10+ year member]

pull the amp out and have it bench tested somewhere. I agree it's most likely the amp or wiring. Eliminate 1 of the causes by removing the amp and testing it.

not a bad idea, it might just be what i am left with. closest place is 30-35min away though which kinda sucks. oh well.

update: not the wiring, i just finished checking it all with a dmm and there aren't any shorts. so it must just be the amp.

 

[djman37 5,000+ posts]

i know a guy just south of dallas that has 150/200amp test bench