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  #1  
Old 03-07-2009, 01:39 AM
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? For those with aftermarket soundsystems

I just installed a new head unit and wired my car for a sub and amp. However, I'm not gettibg any power to my amp. All of my connections are solid and the fuses are all good, so the only thing I can think of is that my ground isn't good. Where is the best place to connect a ground wire?
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Old 03-07-2009, 02:04 AM
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Re: ? For those with aftermarket soundsystems

Quote:
Originally Posted by AyeJaye View Post
I just installed a new head unit and wired my car for a sub and amp. However, I'm not gettibg any power to my amp. All of my connections are solid and the fuses are all good, so the only thing I can think of is that my ground isn't good. Where is the best place to connect a ground wire?
A lot of work but I always ground back to the battery. A lot of car audio people say it is bad for different reasons but In every car I've had, it has eliminated dimming headlights even in an 81 olds with only a 65amp alternator(1000+watt system) and have never had problems with voltage noise caused by a supposed ground loop that they claim is what happens if you ground an amp back to the stereo.
Other wise, find a factory grounding spot or sand off all paint on a spot in the trunk and tap into the trunk-BE SURE TO BE AWARE OF ANY POSSIBLE WIRES AND USE A SHORT SCREW!!!

Edit: And just to note, I've grounded back to the battery in 5 separate cars and have a friend that competes in comps who also always grounds back to the battery. Capacitors and extra batteries are actually not a good idea as they put extra load on the alternator. Extra batteries only help when listening to stereo with the motor off when its parked. I have never seen capacitors help a stereo sytem in my life.

Last edited by 1986nate; 03-07-2009 at 02:08 AM.
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Old 03-07-2009, 06:23 AM
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Re: ? For those with aftermarket soundsystems

I unbolted my trunk latch and fed the wire into an eye connector, then reattached the bolt back to the trunk latch. Mine has worked fine for years.


+1 on not using a capacitor/2nd battery. If anything you should be upgrading the alternator wiring.
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Old 03-07-2009, 06:27 AM
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Re: ? For those with aftermarket soundsystems

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I unbolted my trunk latch and fed the wire into an eye connector, then reattached the bolt back to the trunk latch. Mine has worked fine for years.


+1 on not using a capacitor/2nd battery. If anything you should be upgrading the alternator wiring.
Thats another good idea I forgot to mention-any existing bolt that already bolts to the car
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Old 03-07-2009, 06:28 AM
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Re: ? For those with aftermarket soundsystems

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Thats another good idea I forgot to mention-any existing bolt that already bolts to the car
The less drilling the better.
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Old 03-07-2009, 06:52 AM
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Re: ? For those with aftermarket soundsystems

Where did you have your ground connected?

Can you confirm all your connections with a volt/ohm meter?

Are you getting a voltage on the signal wire going to the amp from the head unit?
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Old 03-07-2009, 08:41 AM
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Re: ? For those with aftermarket soundsystems

I checked it this morning with a basic test light, and I'm not getting any juice from the primary power lead at the amp, so I'm assuming it has to be the ground. I found a place under the flap that covers the gap between the back seat and the trunk floor, but apparently its not a solid ground. I have to work today, but I should have a chance after work to do some searching and find a better place to mount it.
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Old 03-07-2009, 09:12 AM
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Re: ? For those with aftermarket soundsystems

I grounded mine on the back seat bolt.
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  #9  
Old 03-07-2009, 09:42 AM
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Re: ? For those with aftermarket soundsystems

Mine is grounded to the trunk latch mounting bolt, under the plastic trim piece that runs along the rear of the trunk floor.
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Old 03-07-2009, 12:12 PM
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Re: ? For those with aftermarket soundsystems

Quote:
Originally Posted by AyeJaye View Post
... I'm not getting any juice from the primary power lead at the amp, so I'm assuming it has to be the ground.
I must be reading this wrong...You're not getting +12V to your amp so the ground is bad??

Checklist:
- check for ~12v on cable going to the amp
- check ground cable for continuity to a separate ground
- check signal cable for 12v with head unit on

If these are all good perhaps there's a problem with the amp or a fuse is blown on the amp.
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Old 03-07-2009, 04:11 PM
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Re: ? For those with aftermarket soundsystems

I figured it out. Turns out the screw I originally used screwed into a plastic clip, which obviously ensured that I didn't get a solid ground. I made a new hole in a metal panel and now my trunk goes boom (it was dark when I did the original wiring job so I missed the plastic part the first time around)
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