i just got an amp to run the 6x9's in my pickup, which went together well, but when the amp has power it makes a ticking noise and it kinda thumps when you hold your hand up against it. is this normal? this is the first amp i have ever installed

 

Ticking amps are not normal, unless it's part of some kind of explosive device......
Just kidding, try checking the ground wire. Make it as short as possible, and make sure the spot is stripped of paint, rust, and/or dirt, then put some grease in it before you screw it down. Not sure if thats the problem, but its a place to start. Good luck.

 

sometimes an amp will make the speakers thump when it doesnt have enough power. if the truck isnt running the battery may not have enough power. if you have the truck running and it is still doing it i dont know what to say besides check your wiring and make sure you have a heavy enough guage power wire.

 

I have seen some high to low level converters that added all sorts of noise, the one that used to be on my wifes car made ticks, thumps twitches, you name it it probably made it happen, particularly when you changed CD's with the factory head unit, really started talking then. Decided to use the High level in on the amp just to see what would happen. Eliminated all the noises that it used to make. If you are using a hi/low converter, you may start there, that was the third one that I have seen develop noise, even when it was properly grounded. Good luck....

Mike

 

It can also be "Thermaling". What that is is the amp cannot remain within correct temperature and alternatly gets loud and soft, creating the thump sound. You can also get a bad whine from this. I didn't catch if the amp is used or new. If it's used and you've checked ground, it's probably shot. If it's new, has good ground and is thermaling, it's probably refurbished. Return it.

 

capacitor maybe?