92builtbird

Hey guys, I have a Terminator system in my DD, which includes 2 10s and a pioneer radio.

My Amps hasn't been turning on in about 3 weeks, or since it got cold out. It hasn't been above 35 degrees in about a month.

Do amps not turn on if they are too cold? From what little I have read online, the fuses sometimes blow inside of them. If I were to take it apart and look inside for a blown fuse, what would I look for??

Thanks for the help in advance!!

MikeFbody

iTrader: (2)

One amp, or multiple ? And how do you know they are not turning on ? Also, what kind of amp(s) ?

92builtbird

One amp. It has red lights that indicate that its on, and they are off. Also, my subs are not working.

It is a MTX Terminator. TNA 251

bill12690

iTrader: (4)

It should be normal for the subs not to work if the amp is off, but you probably already know that.

Just running through some possibilities...
If you have an ohm meter, make sure the +12 volt wire is indeed getting voltage (should be red)

There should also be a (typically blue) wire that is the remote wire, which will send 12 volts to the amp to turn it on/off. Make sure that is getting voltage when the head unit is on.

And, check your ground, make sure its getting good contact and there is no short between the ground terminal on the amp, and the chassis.


None of these are really weather-related, but worth a look. Also you say it has light(s)... How many, and are they labeled? (power, thermal/protect, etc?)

Edit:
Sorry, didn't see you listed the amp... From what I can tell it doesn't have any of the lights labeled. When the system did work, did all 3 light up?

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

Most amps I believe do not have internal fuses.

92builtbird

Thanks for the input. Yes all three lights come on when the amp is on and the system is working.

Within the past two days, I will turn the key to "accessory" and the head unit will turn on, and I hear a thump of the subs getting power, then turning off. During long drives the amp will turn on again for a short period, then turn off.

Also, when I turn on the car and the amp doesn't turn off right away, it will work for about the first 2 minutes then shut off. Annnnnd repeat those 3 things all the time. Very frustrating.

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

IMO, check the quality of the remote turn-on lead connections, at both ends.

Nowhereman

Sounds like a shorting issue.
The amp(s) send a signal out and expect a certain load.
If the load is greater, they pop and reset when the load is reduced.
You have something shorting out to ground most likely.

92builtbird

Elaborate please if you could. The blue wire? The skinny blue wire that is connected to my amp and leads to my radio appears to be good on the amp side. Is your experience with this enough info for me to rip off my dash? lol

I was trying to figure it out tonight, and I looked where my ground wire is. It is in my spare tire well in my trunk (or under my hatch I suppose). When I was messing with it, my amp turned on (it does it randomly, and for a short period of time once a day) I then disconnected the ground wire from the wheel well, and the 3 lights started blinking all together. The subs were still bumping with the ground taken off though. Then I tried to screw the Ground wire back into the wheel well, and the subs shut off, like they always do.


Any opinions guys? This blows..

bill12690

iTrader: (4)

yes, he means the blue wire. if you can, just test the voltage between the blue wire and your ground, any time the radio is on that should read 12 volts (basically telling your amp to turn on).



the 2nd part of your post is a bit confusing. what your explaining, if im understanding right, shouldn't happen...thats for sure.

but, if the amp turns on/off when you mess with the ground, it may not be making a good contact between the amp and the chassis. but, if you completely disconnect the ground it should not turn on..

92builtbird

It was a ground issue.

Thanks for your help guys!