Strange problem..

[Da64u 10+ year member]

I have three amps that have been working great so far, until today..

Now, when the bass bumps about 1/2 volume all sound shuts off.

The Alpine amp powering the mids, and Hifonics powering the subs both stay on and not in protect. The JL amp on the tweeters turns off (No lights)

Now, when the problem happens the alpine and hifonics both have blue leds for show, and they dim right when the music cuts out and stay lit but dim.

While the sound is off and I turn up the volume knob my line driver is still flickering as if there is still signal coming. Not sure why all the amps are cutting off though..

I'm thinking about testing the remote wire for it's voltage..

All three amps are grounded at a good solid common ground.

I haven't changed anything in the last 2 weeks that could have caused this.

Any ideas?

I'm thinking it's the head unit..

All current stats are in my signature.

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[CSCStang]

Yeah, check that remote wire. You should run a relay instead imo.

 

[Da64u 10+ year member]

Yeah, check that remote wire. You should run a relay instead imo.

Running a relay has been on my mind for a bit. Cheapest place to find a fancy one? Got a link for me?

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

This is what I got for my car

Universal 12V 4P 40A Car Relay Plastic Fixed Back Socket Car Auto SPST 4pin Hysg | eBay

 

[big scott]

you don't need a fancy one. get a SPST- 30/40amp relay at any auto parts store.

 

[Da64u 10+ year member]

Update..

After checking, when the problem happens the remote wire consistently stays at 12.1v but the power wire drops down to 2.5 to 3.0 volts.. WTF? That's with the car running and everything..

 

[bump465]

.Well i suppose its inevitable that someone will say this... but have you checked your fuses / loose power connections?

I once blew the side off my fuse where it was still just barely linked and had a similar problem. Result was amps powering on at ~11v but any sort of sound dropped it to 7-8v. maybe your jl refuses to work with low voltage, while the hifonics just isnt smart enough to turn off like the fancy jl.

 

[Da64u 10+ year member]

.Well i suppose its inevitable that someone will say this... but have you checked your fuses / loose power connections?I once blew the side off my fuse where it was still just barely linked and had a similar problem. Result was amps powering on at ~11v but any sort of sound dropped it to 7-8v. maybe your jl refuses to work with low voltage, while the hifonics just isnt smart enough to turn off like the fancy jl.

Moving the fuse holder seems to affect it. I'm going to replace the fuse Saturday since the holder looks smoke colored.

 

[CrossoverOre 10+ year member]

also sounds like you might want to beef up your electrical.

 

[StevenHarmon]

This happened to me before ran new ground and power wire and my amp hasn't went back into protect mode since. (Amp would go into protect mode at about 22-24 in volume)