Okay, so after looking through posts here, I decided to hook up my old, cheap amp from my last truck to my new(er) 2002 Ranger's stock 6-CD radio despite its not having preouts (the previous truck's aftermarket radio did). To do this I used squeeze (or "scotch") connectors to pull a signal from the left rear and right rear speaker wires, which then plug directly into the amp via the RCA jacks. The bridgeable amp is in turn hooked up to a single woofer.

Here's the problem: If I start the truck with the RCAs plugged into the amp, none of the speakers work, including the woofer hooked up to the amp. This is the case regardless of whether the amp is receiving power when I start the truck or whether the radio is on or off when I start the truck. If the amp is completely disconnected from the battery and the ground, the speakers _still_ don't work if the RCAs are plugged in. This problem also exists whether or not I'm only using one RCA, although only for whichever side (left or right) I'm taking the signal from. It also also exists even when I tried using _only_ a positive (or negative) speaker lead. In all cases, the problem is immediately solved by removing then replacing one or both RCAs from the amp, at which time all speakers and the woofer will work normally, until such time as I turn the truck off. The speakers/woofer continue to work normally if the truck is left running but power to the amp is removed then replaced--it's only turning the truck off that brings the problem back again.

What's going on here? Is it because it's an old cheap amp? Is it because of the power running through the leads into the RCA jacks (which are expecting a signal only)?* I've been living with this weirdness for a few weeks now; it's not a huge deal to reach behind the seat and unplug/replug an RCA, but it's a hassle and I'd like to know what the cause of the problem is, anyway.

Thanks for any suggestions.

*Another post recommending using "line converters" in conjunction with the squeeze connectors to turn the powered leads into signal lines only, but I can't find line converters anywhere.

 

The line converter your looking for is called a Line Output Converter also known as a L.O.C. Walmart sells them and any install shop too. That amp will only allow sound thru when it's on (powered). The way you have your amp set up your giving the low (rca) input a high input signal and that may be causing the amp to go into protection.