Q&A for How to Install a Car Amp

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Question

What can I do if my radio is not switching on my amp?

Community Answer

While your key and radio is on, disconnect and connect the remote wire to the amp.

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Question

Why does my head unit stay lit and drain the battery?

David Riggs

Community Answer

You probably have it connected to a full time 12 volt power source, you need to connect it to a source that is only powered when the key is in the on or accessory position.

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Question

How do I fix a speaker that only works on one side?

David Riggs

Community Answer

The balance on your radio may have gotten moved from center to right or left, or your speaker wire may have come disconnected. Check your balance first on your radio's settings. If that's not it, trace your wires to make sure they are connected. If they are, then hook up an external speaker to the radio's output for that side to see if it is the radio at fault. If the radio is good, it could be a bad speaker.

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Question

My amp has no RCA connections. What should I do?

David Riggs

Community Answer

This is called "line input." Your speaker output wires from your stereo can be connected where the amp has line input, it will have terminals marked + and -. Connect the wires just like you would to your speakers.

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Question

Where does the remote wire connect on the factory deck?

Community Answer

If you have a factory deck and install an amp, there's really no wire to connect the amp to on the factory deck. What you could do instead is locate your fuse box and find a fuse that turns on when you turn the key in your car. Take that fuse out, wrap the remote wire around it, and connect it back where it was. Once you've reconnected it, turn the vehicle on and check to see if your amp turned on. If it does, then turn your car off and make sure the amp turns off as well so it doesn't drain your battery.

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Question

Should ground wire have voltage?

Community Answer

No. The only time you should see a voltage reading is if you're measuring from a battery positive source and ground.

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Question

Does the ground need to be connected to the negative side of the battery?

Lewis Heath

Community Answer

No. It can be connected to the negative battery side or somewhere metal in the car.

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Question

How do I know which are the positive and negative wires?

Community Answer

Generally, the positive wire will be red and the negative will be black. However, if you're asking about the wires from the vehicle, it will depend on the manufacturer. If that's the case, find a good service manual with schematics.

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Question

Why doesn't my amp switch off with my deck?

Community Answer

Make sure the control wire from your deck to the amp is connected. Consult the schematic for your deck to be sure which wire this is.

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Question

The speakers attached to the amp are making a thumping sound like "pop pop," like it's picking up current draining. What do I do?

Community Answer

If the sound increases with the increase in engine RPM then reduce gain of the amp to resolve the issue.

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Question

What should I do if I want to play all my speakers through the amplifier?

Community Answer

Get an amplifier with multiple inputs and separate controls on the amp.

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