Troubleshoot amp/sub install

[Blacksunshyne]

Today I have installed a Kicker amp in the 4runner, while trying to keep the stock nav head unit in my trail. For input source I tapped the front right dash speaker wires (pink was positive and yellow was negative...I believe) and wired in a PAC Model # SNI-35 2 channel line output converter, then ran the RCA cables to the amp for an input source. The LOC is turned all the way up, and I have tried every setting in between. I tapped into the cig lighter/12v acc power wire for my remote turn on, ran a 4 guage wire, with fuse, from BATT+ to power the amp, used a 4 guage ground wire, cleaned the ground source and grounded to the body at a front seat bolt. I ran 14g speaker wires along the passenger side of truck to the rear to hook up sub. The sub is working but at very low levels or low volume.

The amp is an older Kicker KX150.2 150W amp that I had used in my previous truck . The amp power light comes on, and the sub plays, but again at a very low volume. I had used the amp because I had it laying around, after pulling it out of my truck about 2 years ago. In that time it has been on a self here in my house. It is driving a single 12" Diamond 4ohm dual voice coil sub for test purposes today until my JL 8 comes on UPS tomorrow. This pairing worked great in my truck, and now it is not work as it should.

Could the amp have gone bad, or have I left out a very important step...which is entirely possible, wiring is far from my strong point. Any help from the wiring gurus here would be greatly appreciated!! :thanks:

 

[Antman]

Why did you only tap into one side for your line level input? Most converters require you to tap L+R speaker wires so they can process the stereo signal. I think that's the problem...or

Dumb question- but did you remember to put the fuse in for the 4G main power wire? It's possible the amp is turned on but not getting enough power to work properly. Common mistake. Just brainstorming here...

 

[Blacksunshyne]

Why did you only tap into one side for your line level input? Most converters require you to tap L+R speaker wires so they can process the stereo signal. I think that's the problem...or

Dumb question- but did you remember to put the fuse in for the 4G main power wire? It's possible the amp is turned on but not getting enough power to work properly. Common mistake. Just brainstorming here...

Ha ha I was hoping you would reply! I only tapped one speaker on the right because it was going to just drive a sub. The instructions with the LOC said that you could hook it up that way just to wire the 2 channels + to + speaker wire and - likewise. I didn't figure I needed a left and right for a single sub. Well that and the fact it was much easier to just tap the one. :biggrin2:

And yes the fuse is in, but I tend to overlook the simplist stuff most of the time so it was good to ask.

 

[Antman]

Well, I would probably try it with both channels if it's not working. I think "party-mode" plays a role here as well, as far as the speaker-level inputs. Try it on and off. Fader/balance all centered?
Not sure if you saw this:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/92013-antmans-thread-18.html#post989173
I tapped into the rear speaker wires for my install...

 

[Blacksunshyne]

I had seen your thread, I read it a few times to get familiar with things before starting this project.

I had not tried the party mode thing yet I will try that, I have tried fade and balance, and that seems to have no change to the level it has, it will make it go quiet when adjusted to rear or left, but does nothing to make it louder when going front or right.

I will look into the party mode thing. This is by far the most confusing vehicle with regard to the audio...:guitar2:

I have little knowledge on amps, do they go bad? Amp sat in my house for about 2 years after being used in my truck for ~ 3 years.

 

[Antman]

Sure it's possible something's wrong with the amp...Does the amp have a selector switch for the input side? Set to MONO? I dunno- just going over all the steps I would check before tapping into new wires.

That said- I wouldn't have wired it the way you did

 

[Blacksunshyne]

That said- I wouldn't have wired it the way you did

Ohhh great, do you mean into the front speaker wire, and into just one channel instead of two? I had thought as long as it was getting a signal that would have been ok....but I also know what happens when I ASSUME things...lol.

Party mode had no effect on the output level of the sub.

 

[Antman]

Ohhh great, do you mean into the front speaker wire, and into just one channel instead of two? I

Party mode had no effect on the output level of the sub.

Yes, and yes. Still- if hooked up properly it shouldn't matter... Care to post some pics of the amp connections/adjustment and converter? Does the converter you used have an adjustment knob- it should...

Dammit man!- Gimme some pics to work with here!:lol:

 

[Antman]

Just googled it, it has 2 adjustment knobs- correct? Turn em up.

 

[Blacksunshyne]

Just googled it, it has 2 adjustment knobs- correct? Turn em up.

Ha yes I have a few pics, on the phone I will try to get posted up when I can. Family duty calls for the evening tho. I adjusted the LOC with no change and the gain and boost on the amp...no real change there either. If my wiring makes sense, which that is the part I was unsure of, it could be the amp has gone bad, the poor thing has had a rough life. I might have to quit being cheap and just pick up another 150-175w amp.

I guess I just wanted to make sure my theroy on wiring was sound. There is no crossover or anything that would limit signal to those speakers is there? Just another thought. I know I won't sleep well until I solve this, these things drive me crazy...err crazier. :lmao:

 

[Antman]

The front dash speakers have a small cap on them, but otherwise no crossover.

I wouldn't be able to sleep either- that's why I can't do this stuff for a living!

Good luck- keep us posted...ANT

 

[Blacksunshyne]

The front dash speakers have a small cap on them, but otherwise no crossover.

I wouldn't be able to sleep either- that's why I can't do this stuff for a living!

Good luck- keep us posted...ANT

Will do, thanks for the ideas. I patched into the wires feeding into the speaker before the small cap, just to be overly cautious. I'll update as I try different things.

 

[Blacksunshyne]

Just to update this thread, I re-wired everything using the rear speaker wires as inputs to the LOC and everything works as it should. looks like Antman was correct! Thanks for all the help!:biggrin2: