Fronts distort only with engine running

Hi everyone, I'm new here so please bare with me. At the moment I'm running 2 Koss 3-Way 6.5"'s for front speakers and two 10" subs in the back powered by a Sony Xplod 1000W (max) amp. My deck is a Sony... pre Xplod which puts out 45W max x 4... the fronts are running right off of the deck. Only recently has this problem cropped up: when I'm running the van it sounds as though there is a weak or intermittent connection to the fronts causing clipping which doesn't sound like EMI at all. I turn off the vehicle and they sound fantastic. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

check your ground to the amp...could also be an open ground on the audio path for the front RCA cable ( in the HU )Kevin Gerry

Certified Electronics Technician

MECP First Class Installer

Owner/Installer

Classic Car Audio

since 1979

The fronts are running directly off of the deck. Would this really indicate that the deck is on its way out? It is fine when the vehicle isn't running.

You may only hear the problem in the fronts because of frequency.  Check the ignition out thoroughly.  A good suggestion that DYohn has made is to drive to a dark place at night, open the hood, and with the engine running watch for signs of spark  or light along the wires.Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

Oh wow... that would sound like a more serious problem with the vehicle itself. If I do see sparks, do I need to have the ignition replaced/overhauled?

No, perhaps a loose wire or a pinhole.  But take it to a mechanic if you do see such signs.Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

Thanks... I'll also check the power connections to the deck... but wouldn't something of that nature cause the deck to lose power?

Not necessarily.  A power connection can be unstable but still partially connected.  First, eliminate the ignition as problem source.  That done, then check connections and go from there.Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

Alright, again thanks. I've got to wait for the sun to go down; then it's off to try and see sparks... (hopefully not see them)