Amps not working
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Amps not working
I was driving and sound stopped coming from both subs at the same time. I wasn't blaring the music either.
Setup
Pioneer head unit w/ sub output sends signal to first JL 300/2 amp.
Signal out from 1st amp goes to the second JL 300/2 amp.
Each amp has its own power and powers its own 10w3v2 sub.
I've eliminated a problem with the head unit. I used some long RCA cables to run from my h/u output to my brothers amp and it makes noise. So the output from the h/u is good.
I connected to my brothers h/u output to each amp separately and nothing happened.
Neither of the fuses have blown and the power light comes on.
The wires are making good connections between the amp and the sub.
Any ideas? I'm really stumped and frustrated.
Setup
Pioneer head unit w/ sub output sends signal to first JL 300/2 amp.
Signal out from 1st amp goes to the second JL 300/2 amp.
Each amp has its own power and powers its own 10w3v2 sub.
I've eliminated a problem with the head unit. I used some long RCA cables to run from my h/u output to my brothers amp and it makes noise. So the output from the h/u is good.
I connected to my brothers h/u output to each amp separately and nothing happened.
Neither of the fuses have blown and the power light comes on.
The wires are making good connections between the amp and the sub.
Any ideas? I'm really stumped and frustrated.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 435
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From: MASS
well 1st i would get a multi-meter and
(unplug your rca cables)check for power and ground
and 12v+ turn on - right at the amp.
if that checks out -try using your known good rca cable
that worked with your brothers amp--into your amps(make sure your sub-out is turned on in the pioneer head unit)
did you check all your fuses?
under hood\on amp etc..
post your results
g/l
(unplug your rca cables)check for power and ground
and 12v+ turn on - right at the amp.
if that checks out -try using your known good rca cable
that worked with your brothers amp--into your amps(make sure your sub-out is turned on in the pioneer head unit)
did you check all your fuses?
under hood\on amp etc..
post your results
g/l
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Las Vegas, NV
The amps are getting 12v. Still didn't work with the good RCA cable. The impedance on the subs is correct. Where are the fuses on the amp? Do I need to take the cover off to find it?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
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If the LED on the amp is lighting up forget about the fuses. WHAT COLOR ARE THE LED lights on the amp?!?!?!?
What is the impedance measured at the amplifier for each speaker - 'correct' means nothing to me. And yes I want a measurement for EACH speaker AT THE AMP please
What is the impedance measured at the amplifier for each speaker - 'correct' means nothing to me. And yes I want a measurement for EACH speaker AT THE AMP please
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Las Vegas, NV
There are three LED light on the amp. Green for power, Red for thermal, and amber for low impedance. Green is the only led that comes on. I haven't had any problems with my amp or subs since I put them in about 6 months ago.
I'll have to check the impedance tomorrow and get back with you. I don't think this is the problem since they have been working fine for this long. But I'm willing to do anything so I'll let you know.
I'll have to check the impedance tomorrow and get back with you. I don't think this is the problem since they have been working fine for this long. But I'm willing to do anything so I'll let you know.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
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Originally Posted by cln2po
Also check the impedance of the woofers - the JL amps will go into protection if the impedance isnt between 1.5-8ohms.
What lights are coming on on the amps and what color are they?
What lights are coming on on the amps and what color are they?
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Your problem is almost certainly rca related. You either have bad output from the h/u, a bad cable or bad inputs on the first amp.
The fact that both amps shut down at the same exact time means to forget all the other BS about checking fuses. You're looking for a commonality. The only thing those two amps share is:
1. H/U output
2. rca cable from the H/U to the 1st amp
3. rca input on the 1st amp
4. remote turn on
They also might share a main power cable that splits to two through a distribution block. If they have their own power all the way to the batt, forget about that.
Have you tried inputting to the 2nd amp directly from the h/u to rule out the 1st amp being bad? I'd do that and report back.
The fact that both amps shut down at the same exact time means to forget all the other BS about checking fuses. You're looking for a commonality. The only thing those two amps share is:
1. H/U output
2. rca cable from the H/U to the 1st amp
3. rca input on the 1st amp
4. remote turn on
They also might share a main power cable that splits to two through a distribution block. If they have their own power all the way to the batt, forget about that.
Have you tried inputting to the 2nd amp directly from the h/u to rule out the 1st amp being bad? I'd do that and report back.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
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Make sure you have power at the amp. Take a multimeter and make sure there is voltage at the power terminals on the amp. Also make sure there is 12 volts on the remote wire at the amp with the headunit on. Use the ground going to the amp as your probe ground. Dont use a chaise ground for your probe. That ensures that the ground wire has not come disconnected. If you get 12 volts on the remote wire at the amp and the power wire at the amp, it’s not power related. Take your brother's headunit and run the same test with a different pair of RCAs. Also make sure the speaker wire going to the subs is not broken or disconnected somewhere.
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He said the green power LED was on so forget voltage - the amp will run below 11V but will go into thermal faster.
Still no measurement of the speaker impedance at each amp? I know what they are supposed to be - I want to know if thats what they are.
Bob is also on the right track with signal - let us know what you come up with.
Still no measurement of the speaker impedance at each amp? I know what they are supposed to be - I want to know if thats what they are.
Bob is also on the right track with signal - let us know what you come up with.
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Senior User
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Problem is fixed. About 2 weeks ago I undid the connection at my sub box to move it. When I put it back, I guess the connections were in the connectors but not touching the metal that would send the signal to the subs. I think only one sub may have been working for a while and then when the second sub stopped working it made it seem like they both quit at the same time. Feel like an idiot for not checking those connections first, but hindsight is 20/20.
Thanks for your input anyhow.
Thanks for your input anyhow.
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