Amp won't turn off...

[pro-five-oh]

I was in the trunk of my Mark getting the sub anchored down with some bungee cords when I realized something...the power light on my amplifier was on but the key was out of the ignition and the stereo was off. Even worse, I was smelling a mild burning smell.

I pulled the fuses on the amp (Alpine V12) and the light turned off. All wiring to the amp looks solid. The amp is 3-4 years old.

This seems internal to the amp, unless anyone else has some ideas. This might also be why I heard some whining noise from the speakers when I had the stereo on. (the car has 10 min delayed accessory, so I never noticed the amp was running without the stereo being on)Am I doomed to have no sound until I get a new one?

I'll just consider myself lucky that I have an Optima battery and the amp never left me stranded. :(

[ April 14, 2004: Message edited by: pro-five-oh ]

[SQ_LSC]

At first glance I wouldn't right it off but since you smelled burning I think your DOOMED! make sure your not getting power from the HU to the turn-on on the amp before you pull it.

[Capt. Zilog]

Test it man. If it only SLIGHTLY smelled you may have only slightly damaged the silicon. Um, I'd find a way to disable that 10 minute accessory feature on the amplifier(s) ASAP. They don't draw very much when they aren't pushing speakers, but they do draw some. Also, can it breathe? It's not covered or anything is it? Also, is this amp powering the regular speakers or your subwoofer(s)?

[cason1]

Check the turn-on lead from the hu. Also check to make sure the power wire isn't accidentally touching the turn-on. (ie. I once ran the power wire with a on/off switch and when I got to the amp I connected the power wire with a small wire to the turn-on at the amp. i know this sounds totally out there but it is possible.



________________power
|
|___turn on

________________ground

I hope this makes it a little easier to understand what I'm talkin about.

[RJ Sclafani]

Install a switch on the remote wire, you will never have a problem with it being on when the car is off. $2 at radioshack. Can't help ya with the burning smell.

[pro-five-oh]

quote:Originally posted by Capt. Zilog:
I'd find a way to disable that 10 minute accessory feature on the amplifier(s) ASAP. They don't draw very much when they aren't pushing speakers, but they do draw some. Also, can it breathe? It's not covered or anything is it? Also, is this amp powering the regular speakers or your subwoofer(s)?

The 10 min thing is on the HU, and if the HU is on the amp is on. But once the key is out and the door opens, the feature turns off. The amp should turn off with the HU at this point, but it didn't this time. :(

The amp is mounted behind the backseat in the trunk. There is a bazooka behind it, but there is a good amount of air all around it. And the VIIIs have huge vents in the trunk, so I expect it has circulation.

Its a 5ch amp, and I removed one fuse at a time, had to remove both to turn it off.

Running another switch to the remote is a little bit of a pain, but I'll try it. This is an older amp, bought it used and its been in two cars...maybe its time to pony up the money for a JL.

The rest of the wiring appears to be spot on, I spent hours doing a stealth install under the hood. smile.gif

[RJ Sclafani]

I don't see how big of a pain it is to install the switch, unless your pain is taking apart the dash to get to the wire. Best bet though, at least you know it will be off.

[Nick]

I put in a switch on the remote line so I could pull my subwoofer box at any time and not have to go under the hood to pull the fuse for the amp. It was well worth it.

[pro-five-oh]

quote:Originally posted by RJ Sclafani:
I don't see how big of a pain it is to install the switch, unless your pain is taking apart the dash to get to the wire. Best bet though, at least you know it will be off.

Yeah, I guess I should put the switch in, instead of committing myself to spending $500+ for a new amp.

And yes, that wire is buried under the Ford wiring along the rocker panels, under the backseat...I think I'll have to get under the dash and attack it from there.

I'm just glad the power wire is okay, I spent hours getting it in the factory harness and thru the firewall.

Stupid stereo, making me do all this work to fix it! smile.gif

[pro-five-oh]

Dammit, dammit, dammit...

There was no traffic on the way to work this morning, so I had plenty of time to wire in a switch on the remote...put the fuse back in and it was sparking and the light came on...and this was with the switch off and the key out of the ignition.

Oh well, time to get that JL Audio 5-ch amp I've been eyeing. (evil grin on) smile.gif

Any other ideas for a new amp?

[RJ Sclafani]

lemme get yer old amp man. I've heard nice nice things about the JL's

[pro-five-oh]

I'll sell it to someone for dirt cheap. smile.gif Its a decent Alpine V12 amp once you fix it. I just have been spoiled by the low volume clarity and frequency response of larger, heavier and more expensive amplifiers and I have a friend who is a JL audio dealer.

JL XR components and one of their amps might be in order.

[RJ Sclafani]

how much for it? i might take it off yer hands if the price is right.

[pro-five-oh]

I donno...I'll figure that out when its replacement is installed in the car. Which will probably happen after this semester ends. smile.gif

[RJ Sclafani]

Cool, keep in touch when you get that new amp.

[Nick]

I've heard Eclipse amps are pretty nice.

[SQ_LSC]

Hey Pro, I thought you already had the XR components?

[nightrider]

I have a 98 Mark VIII with original stero equipment and MIGHT have a similar problem. I hear a static type sound out of rear left speaker which continues even if radio off until I open car door after shuting off motor. I'm a female who has not spent a lot of time with the electrical on my car. I thought it might be the air suspension leaking and now have checked that out front to back and it is all fine. What do you guys think??? Any help much appreciated.

[pro-five-oh]

quote:Originally posted by SQ_LSC:
Hey Pro, I thought you already had the XR components?

That is in my Cougar. But those darn speakers have spoiled me so I will get a set for the Mark. Might as well burn my money somewhere.

Nightrider, how does the speaker sound with the stereo on? Any buzzing to the beat of the bass?

[nightrider]

The same static is there with or without the stero being turned on. I tried uping the bass and it made no difference. I've tried balancing to left and right only, front and back only, it still has the same static. It is so confusing to me because I thought the stero had to be on in order for the power to go to the speakers.