wiring 4 channel audiobahn amp

Hi,
Well, I bought a new 4 channel audiobahn amp and wanted to powerup my front speakers but nothing is working so far. So heres what I did: Power, ground, battery were all hooked in correctly. RCA to low input (line in). I wanted to test the amp out by powering the left front speaker but nothing came up. I'm still new at this but I dont mind the criticism from you guys, I only learn from it. I got the schematics here:

https://www.installdr.com/Harnesses/Mitsubishi-Wiring.pdf

So I spliced the left front speaker + and - and hooked it up to the first channel, assuming its the white w/ blue stripe for positive and black w/blue stripe is negative. These are the wires connected to the white harness. But I'm not getting any sound at all. However, I am getting a little distortion once in awhile. I cut the white and white w/ black stripe so that they are not connected to the radio anymore. These are the wires connected to the black harness, to the radio. I really hope someone can enlighten me on what my problem is...having a miserable day but want to at least get this done, thanks

p.s. the amp and rca cables (monster) are brand new so they should be okay. This amp is connected to my aftermarket receiver and my car is a 95 eclipse

Can you answer this question first.

Why did you buy an Audiobahn amp??
Because it "looked" cool?
Because of the "cool flames"??
Or because of cheap price??

My friend has a pioneer gm3100 I think...2 channel amp running all four of his Kove Audio 6.5's and it sounds damn amazing.

Sorry bro but you will soon see that the majority of this forum kicks down Audiobahn

Actually I got it for free, lol. Yeah, I knew audiobahn was never too liked...but that doesnt answer the question of why it doesnt work. I'm going cheap right now and just need an amp to power my speakers, I had a phoenix gold amp but all was stolen so I'm not looking to spend too much money on this car...so please if someone could help me on this topic, thanks!

So do me a solid and disregard the crap about what the coolest kicks are to wear to school, if you know what I mean. Let's fix your issue.
1st, is the amp used or new. Let's be honest: you get what you pay for
2nd, did you splice into the speaker wire or did you completely cut the speaker free of the deck? By the way, you did get the speaker wires right.
3rd, what model is the amp?

Hi, I appreciate your help man. Heres my response to your following questions:

1) I got my amp brand new. Its from a friend and he happened to have an extra one.
2) I spliced the wire (stock wiring) and yes I did use speakers wires of course (lol) and connected to channel 1 (not that it matters). I then cut the speaker wires (from aftermarket harness) going to the deck.
3) It is an Audiobahn A4004T. Heres an image:

https://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?Productid=13488

If I've done something wrong please correct me, I'm still pretty new in this but am really eager to learn, thanks for any help

Here's a stupid question, but does your amp have a remote input? This is usually used to actually turn the amp on and off. It cam be wired either to the radio to turn on/off automatically or to a switch for manual on/off operation. Normally I'd look up your amp and tell you for sure, but I'm a little drunk right now *laughing*

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Squirrel
"No more Cpt. Kirk chit chat"
If its too loud, then you're too old
Donate to the12volt.com

Ok I found your specs from Audiobahn. Your remote line is located between the amps negative (ground) and positive (hot) leads. It's a single wire and labled REM on the amp. How do you have that wire hooked up?

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Squirrel
"No more Cpt. Kirk chit chat"
If its too loud, then you're too old
Donate to the12volt.com

It does have a remote input but I always thought it could be set on/off based on the receiver (if receiver on, amp is on)? I just thought the remote input was optional because my amp does come on but nothing is happening when hooked up. Could anyone confirm that my installation process with the speaker wire is correct? Again I really appreciate everyones help, this is by far the most helpful forum ive been on.

oh my lol. The remote is a mandatory connection. This is what tells the amp when to turn on and off.

bchoi414 wrote:

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It does have a remote input but I always thought it could be set on/off based on the receiver (if receiver on, amp is on)? I just thought the remote input was optional because my amp does come on but nothing is happening when hooked up.

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The amp comes on because you have power running to it (hence it shows a power light). But the internals aren't functional because you haven't flipped the switch (so to speak).

That is exactly what the Remote line is for, flipping the switch. Without it you get nada (just like you're describing). There are multiple ways of hooking up the Remote line depending on what type of headunit you're using. If your HU doesn't have a dedicated remote output, then one of the most common installations is to tap into the power antenna wire (as long as it's still hot when the CD player is on, not just the radio).

You can also tap into the switched 12v lead to the HU. If I'm not mistaken this lead is hot when the HU is turned on (this should be what you were referring to).

Another common way is to tap a fused line either from the battery or from the constant hot lead to the HU and install a simple toggle switch for manual operation (works great when you tell the cops "Loud? My speakers don't even work. Here listen for yourself!"

bchoi414 wrote:

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Could anyone confirm that my installation process with the speaker wire is correct?

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From the guide you referenced it sounds right. However I'd suggest next time testing the amp with a spare wire running straight from the amp to the speaker (eliminates any errors with tapping lines and makes a good starting base).

Also if you went through the trouble of adding a 4-channel amp for the cabin speakers, then why not upgrade the wiring to them? Factory wiring is usually cheap and around 22 gauge (I think, it's usually very thin). Try running new wires from the amp to each speaker directly using apx 16 guage. You'll notice a difference

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Squirrel
"No more Cpt. Kirk chit chat"
If its too loud, then you're too old
Donate to the12volt.com

As for the quality of Audiobahn amps, I've always been told that they are solid. They like to add a lot of bling-bling and flash, which is kinda why they get a cheaper reputation. I don't like their subs, and would agree that their sub line is not of the highest quality. But when it comes to their amps I would have to say it's the opposite. Run a search in this forum and look back at some of the older posts from 2002/2003.

I admit that I'm not a fan of Audiobahn and would never own one myself, but unless their ratings have fallen off severly from a few years ago they are still decent.

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Squirrel
"No more Cpt. Kirk chit chat"
If its too loud, then you're too old
Donate to the12volt.com

I dont know what else to say...wvsquirrel...you are the best!! Although I do feel pretty stupid, I'm just happy that I have this figured out. I really appreciate your help and others and really respect that no one is "flaming" me about it. Thanks again Squirrel! I do have a output plug along with several wires attached to it...I'll try to figure it out this weekend because my car is currently down because my alternator belt shredded...I'm a mechanics guy but wiring is my worst. Thanks again

Alright, sorry but I'm an idiot. I always had the remote input connected but didnt realize that was the name of the connection. I noticed another remote input but found out it was for bass control. So yes I did I have the remote input connected to the receiver. Its connected to a blue wire with white stripe to the receiver. Nevertheless, I am still having trouble getting sound. Man, this is frustrating. Do you think I may have a better outcome if I tried to connect the high input instead of the low-input? I currently have RCAs connected to the low-inputs. Please, if anyone could add some more insight on this and sorry to be a pain

Test the amp wiring with a multimeter. First measure dc voltage across the amp's power and ground terminals. If you get 12 volts, turn the system on and test for 12 volts from the remote terminal to the amp ground terminal. If you've got voltage there, then the wiring is good.

Ensure your amp is getting a signal through the rca's. If you have a buddy with a system, try swapping amps just to test and see what happens. If the problem stays in your car, chances are you've either got no signal, or a speaker wiring problem. If it goes to your buddy's car, chances are the amp is no good.

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My ex once told me I have a perfect face for radio.

I agree with geepherder.

Doublecheck your wiring with this link for your 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse

You can also test the Remote by disconnecting the current line and running a new line directly from the battery (outside the car).

Another stupid question, what kind of headunit are you using? I ask because some have a way to turn on/off the RCA pre-outs and select the output level.

Also most after-market headunits have a dedicated "remote" line.

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Squirrel
"No more Cpt. Kirk chit chat"
If its too loud, then you're too old
Donate to the12volt.com

Here's the amp manual incase you don't have it:
2004 Audiobahn Intake Series

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Squirrel
"No more Cpt. Kirk chit chat"
If its too loud, then you're too old
Donate to the12volt.com

Do you have a good ground?? Do you have any RCA cables running from the headunit to the amp??

Hey everyone,

I managed to get the front speakers to work because I think I wasnt providing enough voltage when testing them. I had the car running, tested it, and got SOUND! Hehe. BUT, the rear speakers were not working. I checked my connection and it all looked good. So instead, I tried swapping the front speakers to other channels and notice that channels 3&4 are not responsive. Channels 1 & 2 seem to be fine, but when testing ch. 3 & 4 with the front speakers its not working. I just read my manual a couple minutes ago and realized that the chrome plated connectors only accept 16 to 8 ga. wires. I am currently using 18 ga. But I dont see how the fronts work but the rear doesnt. I will change wires as soon as I can but what are the disadvantages of running improper wires?
I will test the amp like you guys said for proper wiring, and keep you updated on my progress...thanks again everyone

With the system shut down, try swapping the rca inputs at the amplifier. Now power up and see if the sound moves over to channels 3 and 4. If it does, check all your sound settings in the manual to make sure you didn't miss anything. Also double check your connections behind the deck (make sure the rca's are plugged into the right slots, not deck inputs, etc.). If that all checks good, swap the rca's again, this time behind the deck. That way you'll know whether you have a bad rca cable or not (maybe it got a cut or pinch somewhere, or maybe it's just a defect).

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My ex once told me I have a perfect face for radio.

No, actually I dont think I am using 4 ch rcas. I did actually try switching the rca inputs and did not get any sound after. My deck only has two inputs while my amp has 4. Do they sell 2-4 rca cables or possibly adapters so that I wouldnt have to pull all the wires out?

Yes, it's called an "RCA Y-adapter". If I read correctly though it sounds like you tried moving the RCA inputs on the amp already and still got no sound out of the rear speakers?

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Squirrel
"No more Cpt. Kirk chit chat"
If its too loud, then you're too old
Donate to the12volt.com

Have you checked your Fade control at teh headunit to make sure you are sending a signal to the rear speakers?

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Squirrel
"No more Cpt. Kirk chit chat"
If its too loud, then you're too old
Donate to the12volt.com

So you switched the rca's at the amp and got no sound out of the other channels? If that's the case, then check all the settings on the amp, and look in the manual to make sure you haven't overlooked anything. See if there's a troubleshooting section. If that all checks out, you know you've got good signal since it plays on the other channels, so your amp may be bad.

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My ex once told me I have a perfect face for radio.