Amp Protection mode RCA cables

**kdavid** · 09-26-2009, 11:34 PM

I currently put my amp and subs back into my car, (took it out for a week), everything is hooked up fine, but here is the problem:

When ever i hook up the rca cables, the protection light comes on. I have stripped everything apart, all the speaker leads etc, they are all fine. Its only the rca cables that are causing the problems.

I have tried another set of rca cables, connecting from headunit to amp, protection light still comes on....so confusing.

Anyone have and ideas to how to fix this problem?

Thanks!!!

**PaulF** · 09-27-2009, 03:34 PM

I'd venture to say that your ground wire from the amp is not connected to a good ground. I bet if you do the same thing and just disconnect the ground wire from the amp, you get the same symptoms.

How do you have the power wired up on the AMP? (cable gauge, where things are connected, etc).

**kdavid** · 09-28-2009, 10:04 PM

Hey PaulF,

Your are very right, if I disconnect the ground wire, it does the same thing. (protection lights come on if i connect the rca cables) Am I safe to say that the problem is now a ground problem and not my amp or headunit?

The weird thing is that I have been using the exact same set up for years, no problem at all.

Thanks for your help,

Cheers

**PaulF** · 09-29-2009, 06:43 AM

I wouldn't say you're 100% safe to say this, but it's definitely possible, the chances of the amp dying in such a short time are very low.

How do you have the power wired up on the amp? (cable gauge, where things are connected, etc).

**kdavid** · 09-29-2009, 08:54 AM

I power my amp with the red gauge cable (Sorry, im not too technical), its connected to the car battery and then connected to the +ve terminal on the amp.

Just curious, how can this affect the problem Im having?

Cheers for the help PaulF

**kdavid** · 09-29-2009, 09:20 AM

Also, If the RCA cables are unplugged and i turn my head unit on, the amp will not turn on, even though I have the amplifier turn on lead connected as well.

**PaulF** · 09-29-2009, 11:43 AM

Gauge is the thickness of the wire. Check this site out for a better understanding: http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm

I doubt gauge is the issue though seeing as the amp doesn't even turn on.

Alright so you have the positive wire going from the battery to the amplifier, where is the negative wire going?

**soundman98** · 09-29-2009, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by PaulF

where is the negative wire going?

and where/how exactly is it connected in the car?

you can never give us to much information-- anyhting you can tell us will be a great help.

**kdavid** · 09-29-2009, 07:21 PM

Cheers for the info guys, I appreciate your help.

The negative/ground wire is connected to a bolt thats attached to the chassis of the car, its in the trunk of the car. This is then connected to the ground terminal on the amp.
I got all these wires from a standard wiring kit.