ground issue or amp?
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=110282
Printed Date: July 07, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Topic: ground issue or amp?
Posted By: xjdmb16a2six
Subject: ground issue or amp?
Date Posted: January 03, 2009 at 3:09 AM
i had my system installed for 2 years now and everything was working fine until i installed my HID fog lights with a relay harness. The amp does not turn on anymore. When i first installed the HID, the amp was working fine. occasionally the amp would not turn on when i start up the car. Now the amp wont even turn on anymore. I know the amp still works because it turns on randomly. i checked all the fuses and they're fine. the weird thing is the amp NEVER shuts off while it is playing. i am 100% sure that there is no loose wires. i will be getting dmm and diagnose the wiring. but for now if someone have a clue on what is wrong with my system please help me out. thanks
Replies:
Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: January 03, 2009 at 7:20 AM
We really can't tell you much untill you get the Meter and give us a little more information. Did you connect wires for the HIDs to the battery? If so check the power wire for the amp at the battery. Make sure it is making a good connection there.
Posted By: xjdmb16a2six
Date Posted: January 03, 2009 at 12:46 PM
yes, the HID is also connected to the battery. ill also check that.
Posted By: soundnsecurity
Date Posted: January 03, 2009 at 10:36 PM
yeah, make sure the battery cable isn't loose at the battery. check your fuses, and if nothing changes try to check your remote lead to your amp, make sure it is getting power also
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Posted By: xjdmb16a2six
Date Posted: January 03, 2009 at 11:26 PM
thanks. ill check all that. right now the amp is work, so i have to wait until it stops working.
Posted By: xjdmb16a2six
Date Posted: January 04, 2009 at 6:43 PM
so i got a dmm and tested the battery. at the battery i am getting 12.7v and at the amp im getting 12.5.
Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: January 04, 2009 at 6:47 PM
Are you checking the voltage at the amp with the amp playing at normal listening level?
Posted By: xjdmb16a2six
Date Posted: January 04, 2009 at 7:50 PM
my amp will not turn on right now. i cant test it with it playing.
Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: January 04, 2009 at 8:14 PM
Did you check the voltage on the remote terminal of the amp? When testing the voltage, you need to touch and hold the black meter lead to the ground terminal of the amp. If you use the ground terminal as the ground reference for the meter, this will check the ground connection as well as the power connections.
Posted By: xjdmb16a2six
Date Posted: January 09, 2009 at 9:21 PM
i finally got a chance to test the remote-on from the amp. im getting 13volts, so i guess there is something wrong with the amp. everything else find. none of the fuses blew. i am thinking something came loose inside the amp from the vibrations over the years..
Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: January 09, 2009 at 9:42 PM
When you checked voltage on the remote wire, did you connect the black lead of the meter to the ground terminal of the amp?
Posted By: xjdmb16a2six
Date Posted: January 09, 2009 at 11:16 PM
yes. red touching the remote turn on wire and the black touching the ground terminal of the amp.
Posted By: xjdmb16a2six
Date Posted: January 09, 2009 at 11:17 PM
wait the ground terminal of the amp and the ground wire is the same right?
Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: January 10, 2009 at 5:47 AM
Yes same as black wire. Most people ground their meter to the metal of the vehicle. If you check it like that, it does not test the ground connection of the amp. If you used the ground wire of the amp for a ground reference point, we know your ground is good also. (At least good enough to power the amp up) What kind of amplifier are we dealing with? If you are willing to do a little footwork we can possibly repair the amp.
Posted By: xjdmb16a2six
Date Posted: January 10, 2009 at 12:06 PM
thanks for your help. the amp is Diamond Audio D6 600.4. i might be able to get warranty repairs for the amp.
Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: January 10, 2009 at 4:58 PM
When you checked the voltage on the power wire, did you have the radio turned on? If not you really need to check it again. You could possibly have a bad, not blown but a faulty AGU fuse. With no current draw, the faulty fuse will show no drop in voltage.
Posted By: xjdmb16a2six
Date Posted: January 11, 2009 at 1:39 AM
yes i did check the power wire with the car on and i was getting a voltage of around 14.
Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: January 11, 2009 at 5:30 AM
Now I feel comfortable telling you that your amplifier is dead. I just wanted to cover all the bases. If you can not get it repaired under warranty, and you want to try to repair it, just let me know.
Posted By: xjdmb16a2six
Date Posted: January 18, 2009 at 4:12 PM
Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: January 18, 2009 at 6:41 PM
Is there a protection light on the amp? Is it on? In the second picture, there is a 16 pin integrated circuit just north of the 2 transformers. What is the number on the chip? I do not need letters, it is probably a 494 or 594. But it could be a 3524 or 3525. I just need the numbers. Before we connect the amp to troubleshoot, you need to remove all 3 fuses from the amp and put a single 10 amp fuse in one slot. Leave the other 2 slots open.
Posted By: xjdmb16a2six
Date Posted: January 18, 2009 at 9:49 PM
nope, there isnt a protection light on the amp. the 16pin is number 3525. what is suppose to happen when i connect the amp without just a single 10 amp fuse?
Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: January 18, 2009 at 11:20 PM
The 10 amp fuse is so we do not burn anything up if you touch the meter lead to more than the pins you are supposed to be touching. With power ground and remote connected to the amp, meter set to DC Volts, place and hold your black meter lead to the ground terminal of the amp. Now touch the red lead to pin 13 of the 3525. The following picture shows you the pin layout of the chip. Notice the Horseshoe shaped notch in the end of the chip. I also need a reading on pin 15.
Since you have it connected, take a voltage reading on every pin and post your findings.
Posted By: xjdmb16a2six
Date Posted: January 22, 2009 at 12:49 AM
hey, i am an idiot, i really appreciate your help with diagnosing my amp. i just purchased a new amp, so ill be sending in this amp for repair. i figure since i dont have the skills or the right tools to do the repairs, it'll be best to have a professional repair it for me. can you a recommend a reputable online amp repair service? thank you
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