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my amp randomly shuts off...do I have a ground problem?

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Old 09-03-2002, 01:32 PM
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Default my amp randomly shuts off...do I have a ground problem?

about once a day my amp will shut off while the headunit stays on. When I turn the headunit off and back on, the amp is on again and working. The amp has 2 grounds and I found a nearby bolt in the trunk to attach them both. Should they go to separate grouding points? I wouldn't think so. What else might be a cause of the amp shuting off?
Old 09-03-2002, 01:46 PM
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Default remote turn on wire possibly

Could be heat, but doesn't sound like it.

Are you sure it's a good ground? Got a loose power connection or ground somewhere possibly? Check all the usual stuff like that. Make sure everything is tight.
Old 09-03-2002, 08:30 PM
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Breaking windows loudness = overheating amp? Poor circulation?
Old 09-04-2002, 03:43 AM
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it's just overheating or not gettin sufficient current
Old 09-04-2002, 04:33 AM
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Default it comes rigt back on after I power cycle the headunit

would an overheating amp do that? I would think it wouldn't come right back on. I have it mounted under my rear deck with the heat sinks facing up. It shuts off under low volume as well.
Old 09-04-2002, 04:35 AM
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Default I ran a 4 gauge then split it to 2 8 gauge power cables and both

2 gauge cables go to the amp. If it's over heating will it come right back on after shutting off when I power cycle the headunit? Will it be obvious when I touch it? It does feel warm, but I'm not sure how hot is too hot.
Old 09-04-2002, 07:27 AM
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Default Which brand/model amp? It sounds like it is going into protect mode

which usually means an electrical short/surge or heat (thermal) overload. Does the amp have an LED indicator for protect mode? Since it cuts out when the volume is turned low, it is unlikely to be a thermal issue. So there must be a short either internal to the amp OR your wiring is causing a short.

Double check all of your wiring and connections, including speaker wires, and make sure that there are no loose wires that may be touching other wires or metal when you go over bumps.

BTW, why did you split the power cable?
Old 09-04-2002, 07:58 AM
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Default personally dont think its overheating

Warm is fine, when an amp goes into protect mode frm overheating it's HOT and it WOULD NOT turn back on if you power cycle the HU. Overheated amps have to cool down before protect mode kicks off.

It could go into protect mode if there is a fault in the system and the amp shuts itself off immediately. Power cycle of the HU just sends a new remote turn on signal to the amp and will kick it back on. So it's very possibly something wiring thats causing it to fault. Amp could just be defective too.
Old 09-04-2002, 08:13 AM
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Default I bought it used from a friend. He had no issues with it

it still has 2 more years of warranty on it, but I don't think Sony makes this particualr mobil es unit anymore. I have yet to recheck the wiring. We are going to take it all apart again soon to put the new rear deck speakers in when the arrive. So we will cheack all the wiring more thoroughly then.
Old 09-04-2002, 08:17 AM
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Default The amp is a sony mobil es 5 channel

I'm not sure what model it is, but it's not the one sony sells now. I beleive it's discontinued. It's a 4x75 + 1x 200 I think. Either way, it's a bigger better one than the current sony 5 channel. It has to 8 gauge in connections so that's why we ran 4 ga from the batter and split it into 2 8 ga to the amp.

Thanks for the info. We have some more work to do and we will recheck all the wiring again. Thanks.


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