97 Expedition Remote Turn On

Hi,

I search the forums several times and didn't come with any so here I go!

I am adding a subwoofer to a 97' Ford Expedition with a factory head unit and factory amplifier.  I found the remote turn on lead for the factory head unit, and I want to use it for my subwoofer amp also.  The problem I am having is that the remote turn on lead on has 4.3 volts coming out of it instead of the ~12 Volts I was expecting.  The wire is dark blue in color and is grouped with the other power wires in the harness going into the head unit (It is separate from the harness for the speakers and such) I know for sure that I have the correct wire as I have tried several different test on it some of which included cutting the wire and measuring the voltage straight from the head unit and it was a constant 4.3 volt.  When I cut the wire, the factory amp went off as usual.  Connect the wire back and the amp came on.  Also, when the head unit is switched off, the 4.3 volt output stops.  Turn the head unit back on and the 4.3 volt comes back thus, turning on the amp. I thought that maybe I wasn't reading the voltage correctly so I tried to see if it would close a 12 volt relay, which it did not ( I tested the relay so I know it was good)   My question: Is this normal for a vehicle such as this or I am hitting the pipe to hard?  I really want a remote turn on from the head unit and not a 12 Volt switched for my sub amp because I drive with the head unit sometimes for the kids.  I know I can order a piece that allows the high level inputs to control a relay for use as a remote turn on lead for an amp.  I am wanting to avoid this if possible.  I

Any feedback on this would be greatly appreciated -

Thanks,

Brian

Use the IGN wire from the ignition harness to turn on/off the amplifier.Jeff

Velocity Custom Home Theater

Mobile Audio/Video Specialist

Morden, Manitoba CANADA

Velocity Motors wrote: Use the IGN wire from the ignition harness to turn on/off the amplifier.

Jeff,

Thanks for the information.  I have a bunch of switched leads I can use, but I want a remote turn that works with the head unit.  I don't want the amplifer to be on when the head unit is off.

Thanks,

Brian