[requena79]

Hi, my earth cable came loose on my amp, and I lost sound. It would cut in and out, I realised the earth cable was hanging right out (amp had no power) so I plugged it back in.

As soon as the earth goes into the amp I get a moment of sound, then it would cut out. So I thought ok - maybe the earth cable needs a better end, so I cut it a little, did the same with the power.

Then, I managed to touch the earth wire, on the main power wire. Doh. Blew the main amp fuse, so I got a new fuse for it, and replaced the two 25 fuses on the amp.

In place of the 25 fuses I put 30's in, I had these kicking around, in place of the 60 amp fuse which is the main, large tube like fuse for the amp, I put an 80 in (these are what I have kicking around I'll put the right ones in soon).

Anyway, now the amp doesn't even power up, since it blew the 60.

The two 25 fuses on the amp didn't blow but I thought i'd replace them anyway while I was replacing the main 60.

I have an after market amp.

Does anyone know what I should do next? apart from getting apair of clown shoes that fit! might there be another fuse that also went somewhere or something? or have I killed the amp?

Thanks,
Mark.

[05horse]

first off put in the right fuses... nothing like a fried amp

its got that smell to it

did u maybe crisp a wire?

[pcfrisch]

Check to see if you have battery voltage at the amp.
If you do and it dosen't power up, time for new amp.
You shouldn't be messing with the power wires while hot
You probably caused a voltage spike and killed it.

[requena79]

wires are ok. they kissed for not even a second. sparked. poof. fuses are all in and nothing.

is there a chance i messed the amp up before - which is why when I was previously connecting the earth - i'd get sound for a second, then it'd cut off. the first screw up I did was let the earth cable fall out of place. i'm worried it's got the problem of not churning out sound anyway, because of the earth coming loose?

gah.

how do I check to see if I have voltage i'd imagine i'd need a test tool? that or I could er, stick a screw driver in there see if I can get a spark

[requena79]

Just pulled the wires out plugged them back in and nothing.

forgive me i'm not an electrician! but I pulled the power cable out carefully with it all running, and put it back in - and no spark nothing. I don't think there is power running down my power cable anymore? it's a heavy gauge a real thick wire?

[pcfrisch]

Originally Posted by requena79

how do I check to see if I have voltage i'd imagine i'd need a test tool? that or I could er, stick a screw driver in there see if I can get a spark

Oh heck no. Don't use a screwdriver. Don't be connecting and disconnecting wires while you have power. You can use a light tester similar to this Automotive Test Light/Circuit Tester - EQUUS PRODUCTS, INC.& which you can get just about anywhere. Connect the clip side to ground (chassis) and the pointed side to the hot wire side (you can pierce through the insulation with the pointed end). If it lights, you have power.
Yes, it would be a heavy wire usually red or blue for the Hot (+13.5 ish volts). The Ground is usually silver or green.

[requena79]

ok i'll get a test light.

i'm pretty theres no power on the power cable anymore.

does anybody have any ideas on how I can get power to this cable again? seems odd. I really doubt its burnt out it touched earth for just a second and its such a thick heavy wire.

is there a fuse down the other end or something maybe? does this wire connect to the battery?

[st577]

check the radio fuse under the hood it will blow also if there is a short somewhere else down the line

[pcfrisch]

Originally Posted by requena79

ok i'll get a test light.

i'm pretty theres no power on the power cable anymore.

does anybody have any ideas on how I can get power to this cable again? seems odd. I really doubt its burnt out it touched earth for just a second and its such a thick heavy wire.

is there a fuse down the other end or something maybe? does this wire connect to the battery?

Sometimes the amp power cable is connected directly to the battery. There may be a "inline" fuse on that connection. That fuse may be blown. Other times they are connected to the fusebox of the car. See if you can trace the wire and find out exactly where it goes.
If the amp has a remote connection, make sure you have power there when the radio (HU) is turned on.

[requena79]

Thanks there was a second inline fuse to protect the battery i'm guessing. Replaced it - in the words of my hero George Costanza... i'mm back baby!

[pcfrisch]

Originally Posted by requena79

Thanks there was a second inline fuse to protect the battery i'm guessing. Replaced it - in the words of my hero George Costanza... i'mm back baby!

Glad you got working. That fuse protects your car from a fire in case of a short or overload condition anywhere along that wire.