Looking for Monsoon amp for '99 Camaro
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 275
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From: TX
$30 shipped. As far as I know all the channels worked when it was in the car 3 years ago.
It's been in my closet ever sense, I have a BIG system Iv'e been planning for years going in very soon. I can take pics of the internals if you wan't me to?
It's been in my closet ever sense, I have a BIG system Iv'e been planning for years going in very soon. I can take pics of the internals if you wan't me to?
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,330
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Just playing devil's advocate here... how do you know you have a bad amp? I ask because they very seldom fail. Usually the problems are with speakers, wiring, etc.
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Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2014
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What is the best way to test for signal at a speaker? I took one speaker out that didn't work and connected a new speaker and it doesn't work either.
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Verdad Gallardo Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,330
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From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
The best way to test for speaker signal is exactly what you did - connect a known good speaker and see if you get output.
Every speaker in the Camaro is powered through the Monsoon amp (unlike Firebirds). Did you check the #4 RADIO ACCY fuse? The amp is powered through that fuse and not the #17 RADIO fuse. (Use a tester or replace with a known good fuse since old fuses can look fine but still be blown.) You can also test whether you have battery (constant) power on the two orange wires at the amp connector... see the Monsoon FAQ sticky for the connector configuration.
You may not want to replace your '99 amp with a '98 amp depending on whether the '98 is early or late production. Early '98s came with a smaller 200W (peak) amp while late '98s and all '99s came with a larger 200W RMS amp.
Every speaker in the Camaro is powered through the Monsoon amp (unlike Firebirds). Did you check the #4 RADIO ACCY fuse? The amp is powered through that fuse and not the #17 RADIO fuse. (Use a tester or replace with a known good fuse since old fuses can look fine but still be blown.) You can also test whether you have battery (constant) power on the two orange wires at the amp connector... see the Monsoon FAQ sticky for the connector configuration.
You may not want to replace your '99 amp with a '98 amp depending on whether the '98 is early or late production. Early '98s came with a smaller 200W (peak) amp while late '98s and all '99s came with a larger 200W RMS amp.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 18
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The best way to test for speaker signal is exactly what you did - connect a known good speaker and see if you get output.
I just about positive I checked the RADIO ACCY fuse. Its the 25 amp one, correct?
Every speaker in the Camaro is powered through the Monsoon amp (unlike Firebirds). Did you check the #4 RADIO ACCY fuse? The amp is powered through that fuse and not the #17 RADIO fuse. (Use a tester or replace with a known good fuse since old fuses can look fine but still be blown.) You can also test whether you have battery (constant) power on the two orange wires at the amp connector... see the Monsoon FAQ sticky for the connector configuration.
You may not want to replace your '99 amp with a '98 amp depending on whether the '98 is early or late production. Early '98s came with a smaller 200W (peak) amp while late '98s and all '99s came with a larger 200W RMS amp.
I just about positive I checked the RADIO ACCY fuse. Its the 25 amp one, correct?
Every speaker in the Camaro is powered through the Monsoon amp (unlike Firebirds). Did you check the #4 RADIO ACCY fuse? The amp is powered through that fuse and not the #17 RADIO fuse. (Use a tester or replace with a known good fuse since old fuses can look fine but still be blown.) You can also test whether you have battery (constant) power on the two orange wires at the amp connector... see the Monsoon FAQ sticky for the connector configuration.
You may not want to replace your '99 amp with a '98 amp depending on whether the '98 is early or late production. Early '98s came with a smaller 200W (peak) amp while late '98s and all '99s came with a larger 200W RMS amp.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,330
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Firebirds have the tweeters powered by the head unit with all other speakers powered by the amp. Camaros have all speakers powered by the amp.
The fact that any speakers work when the amp is unplugged indicates that something has been done to modify the factory wiring. At this point I would not suspect the amp (it's still possible that the amp is bad but you can't know because apparently it is not connected to the speakers).
The fact that any speakers work when the amp is unplugged indicates that something has been done to modify the factory wiring. At this point I would not suspect the amp (it's still possible that the amp is bad but you can't know because apparently it is not connected to the speakers).
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 18
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Firebirds have the tweeters powered by the head unit with all other speakers powered by the amp. Camaros have all speakers powered by the amp.
The fact that any speakers work when the amp is unplugged indicates that something has been done to modify the factory wiring. At this point I would not suspect the amp (it's still possible that the amp is bad but you can't know because apparently it is not connected to the speakers).
The fact that any speakers work when the amp is unplugged indicates that something has been done to modify the factory wiring. At this point I would not suspect the amp (it's still possible that the amp is bad but you can't know because apparently it is not connected to the speakers).
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,330
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
No, not really. There is a low current, low voltage signal on the speaker wires but you risk damaging the output section of the amp or head unit if you test with a multimeter. If you have an oscilloscope, you can test with that.
The input to the amp is speaker-level signal so you can still test using a good speaker. Just connect jumper wires from the appropriate signal input wires at the amp connector to your test speaker and see what you get. You will find all of the connection wires identified in the Monsoon FAQ sticky.
The input to the amp is speaker-level signal so you can still test using a good speaker. Just connect jumper wires from the appropriate signal input wires at the amp connector to your test speaker and see what you get. You will find all of the connection wires identified in the Monsoon FAQ sticky.
Launching!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 275
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From: TX
The Model # is 16257161
The Serial # is 281491188
My amp works for sure on the front and rear channels but after I put an Alpine 9887 head unit in the middle sub channels never worked, but I'm almost 100% positive the subs channels worked with the stock head unit. Hope this helps.
Last edited by TX98Z28; Sep 12, 2014 at 11:41 AM. Reason: Posting more info.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Firebirds have the tweeters powered by the head unit with all other speakers powered by the amp. Camaros have all speakers powered by the amp.
The fact that any speakers work when the amp is unplugged indicates that something has been done to modify the factory wiring. At this point I would not suspect the amp (it's still possible that the amp is bad but you can't know because apparently it is not connected to the speakers).
The fact that any speakers work when the amp is unplugged indicates that something has been done to modify the factory wiring. At this point I would not suspect the amp (it's still possible that the amp is bad but you can't know because apparently it is not connected to the speakers).
Teching In
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 32
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From: Longwood, FL
I think my car was built in july of 98. I have no idea if it has the smaller or larger amp, heres the numbers off of it.
The Model # is 16257161
The Serial # is 281491188
My amp works for sure on the front and rear channels but after I put an Alpine 9887 head unit in the middle sub channels never worked, but I'm almost 100% positive the subs channels worked with the stock head unit. Hope this helps.
The Model # is 16257161
The Serial # is 281491188
My amp works for sure on the front and rear channels but after I put an Alpine 9887 head unit in the middle sub channels never worked, but I'm almost 100% positive the subs channels worked with the stock head unit. Hope this helps.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,330
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
I think my car was built in july of 98. I have no idea if it has the smaller or larger amp, heres the numbers off of it.
The Model # is 16257161
The Serial # is 281491188
My amp works for sure on the front and rear channels but after I put an Alpine 9887 head unit in the middle sub channels never worked, but I'm almost 100% positive the subs channels worked with the stock head unit. Hope this helps.
The Model # is 16257161
The Serial # is 281491188
My amp works for sure on the front and rear channels but after I put an Alpine 9887 head unit in the middle sub channels never worked, but I'm almost 100% positive the subs channels worked with the stock head unit. Hope this helps.
So you have the same amp that was used from mid-'98 all the way through '02 (rated by GM as 500W ILS, really about 200-240W RMS).
BTW, those part numbers apply to Camaro only... the Firebird amp is quite different.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,330
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
I have no idea when my 98 was built, but I can grab the number from my amp tomorrow if it helps. I've always thought the sail panel subs haven't had much power. 200 peak, vs 200RMS power would make a big difference. I'm assuming the connectors are the same, the only difference being the power rating? If anything, does anyone know what numbers ARE 99-up and compatible? I may have to order the newer amp online as 4th gens seem to be getting rarer and rarer at local junk yards.