Car Amplifier Troubleshooting: Sound Cuts Out When I Turn The Volume Up

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[@allendubenion7736]

I just spent hours troubleshooting my integrated amplifier using tips from other pros on youtube. The problem wasn't the amplifier. I watched your video and learned that the speaker wires could be the problem and they were. My wires were touching like you said and now I have amazing sound and the amplifier isn't shutting off. Thank you so much for being so thorough in your troubleshooting video. Everyone needs to subscribe.

[@josephpk4878]

It helped to hear that 90% of the returns you look at have no problems. I thought that I blew my amp, or that the protect mode was messed up, because whenever I tried to increase the vol. it shut down and all I was left with was my subwoofer thumping away. I took the time to diagnose it myself and narrowed it down to my rear right 6". Realized that the rear wires weren't run behind the window guides and every time it was rolled down, it was pulling on the wires and shorting them on the door panel! Nice install mistake. --- Thanks for the advice - you've been a reliable source of info.

[@RobMonty248]

I forget where i asked, but they suggested the power lead was not large enough. The ebay kit i bought, turns out it wasnt true to what they said it was, it was not large enough and replacing it, this cured the power protect and also allowed me to turn it up way more... Someone told me that and ive tried to find where i asked, anyhow, thank you ghost fixer replying man! Thank you... Dead on diagnosis from the other side of the planet. wooo! (READ the manual) It will tell you how long and at what gauge your wire needs to be... aks, NEEDS to be... The ground wire should always be the same gauge to avoid the whine noise.

[@dwightdonaldson7613]

This is one of the most important video I've seen on car audio installations. It has helped me to solve a problem i had recently with my amp. I thought i had a bad amp,only to come across this video and i solved the issue. Great video and I'm happy i had subscribed 💯

[@geis3]

@Colby Davian Didnt ask.

[@tha_plumma_gang2328]

What that got to do with the video

[@brorauntzz2483]

@@tha_plumma_gang2328 and still u didnt tell us what problem did u have and how did u fix it

[@travinatolbert5905]

I was searching videos for days and I swear I had a feeling my old amp was fine .. but noooo bought a new one .. still having the same issue .. wish I had an audio shop near by that wasn’t tryna rip me off n would just tell me the truth .. thanks for this man! Seriously!

[@tb3atz719]

Perfect example of an well explained and demonstrated video,this was my 10th video on the matter and I understood completely. Thanks

[@FlyingCsongor]

I have a similar but opposite problem in my car. Usually one side doesn't sound when turning on the radio, but when I turn the volume up in a quick fashion (giving a short boost up to rather loud levels) for just about a second, the sound comes back and until the next shutdown it sounds perfectly even at low volume. What could be the reason?

[@Smileyguy-jy6xm]

Great tips. Beware the short. Had my system for a while & decided to adjust the angle of my tweeters mounted in the A pillars. Worked great until I turned it up then went into protect. Come to find out 1 of the tweeter leads was barley touching the mounting bracket after the adjust. Took a minute to figure out but at least was an easy fix.

[@klubstompers]

I have also noticed, that if you are taking your source from a hi level input, the fader and eq on the stock deck can effect the signal going to your amp, and make it shut of when the volume is turned up. I have seen this on multiple vehicles, when the fader, bass, and treble are flat on the deck, the signal is fine through the entire volume range, but if the fader or bass is adjusted the signal being sent to the amp is too hot at higher volume, and will trip the amp.

[@richardmiddleton5984]

That is because it is common to adjust the gain with everything set to flat. So once you adjust your equalizer for higher gains on certain frequencies, it can cause the amp to clip. Generally, it won't be a problem if you use a 0db test tone when adjusting your gains, and the music you listen to is -usually 5db or lower. So it depends on the recording level of the music you usually listen to compared to the level of the test tones you used for adjusting your gain.

[@Drillorz]

I had this happen in my car, even if the gain was all the way down the amp would still go into protect around 75% volume, even if the sun wasent playing since the gain was down. Did you ever find a fix?

[@klubstompers]

@@Drillorz I found a solution, but i havent done it yet. There is a way to tie into the factory amp with a fiber optic cable to get a clean signal, run that to a dsp and amp, and run new wires to all the doors/speaker locations. If your tying into a factory head unit, Id try and find a forum for your specific vehicle, where people post up builds they have done with your car, and try to find what people do to get a clean signal, this is how i found out what i need.

[@JoeysOutdoorAdventures]

i’m having that problem now but it’s not the ground and i can’t figure it out

[@jccosme3978]

My subwoofers don't come back on when I lower the volume

[@vectorxpress9038]

Your explanations and examples to trouble shoot are clear and a great source of information to understanding basic power and grounding problems. I especially, like the Volt Meter examples and what to test for. Just Subscribed....continue your teaching and always keep it simple for the rest of us.

[@jrrush1783]

Thank you my amp kept doing what you showed in the video and I checked my grounds and I showed them and my positives to make sure I had good connection and my amp works perfectly now

[@copout1405]

I've got this problem with a 40 year old home Technics system. You have shown me what to look for in correcting it. Could still have something bad with something else, of course, but you have given me the free stuff to check out first.!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@gennavandella]

My problem for my Bluetooth speaker was the Extra speaker I attached draws more power than what the system can dish out.

[@serafinnieves8137]

I like the way you explain the trouble shooting,clear and understandable without any horsing around and talking to tetchy or just naming devices which a person like me would not know what the heck is being talked about..

[@TheDrewdaddy44]

Very helpful. You explain everything thoroughly and it helps people actually understand what’s going on with the problem they mite be having. Thanks bro. Keep it up.

[@tuccimane]

The problem I've been having lately is when I turn up my radio my subs tend to first lose output then pop. At first I thought it was a blown sub but checked both and my impedance is good. What could it be?

[@evanholmes4403]

Same here!!

[@tuccimane]

@@evanholmes4403 I replaced everything in my car. My issue was a bad rca.

[@Kavlor1]

This did help. I found the wires going into the amplifier were actually crossed on one of them , just untwisted them and its ok now. My speakers are like 20+ years old and I thought maybe they are dying.

[@joea6326]

Thank you so much for the thorough breakdown. Found my bad ground and system works great again

[@ShobucK]

Mine does it when car is off , as soon i turn on and turn volume up, it goes to Protection

[@CARLOSKORTES]

Mine when car is off it’s working good, when I turn my car on the subs don’t sound ???? Please help

[@Eslatts11]

Ran the same gauge wire for my ground that I have for my positive and totally fixed the problem!

[@mob1star100]

Thank you so much. It was one of my cables that was loose from my extra battery connected to my amp.

[@michaelanon2791]

I'm pulling 14.4 volts at the amp (5 channel)... at around 55% volume I have the amp go into protect and not come out, however sometimes it lasts 5 minutes and sometimes it doesn't shut off. I find when I unplug channel 3 that the problem goes away (so I have replaced the channel 3 wiring and both the tweet /6.5 on that channel).. at that point it's a bad amp right? ... help me obi wan kenobi, your my only hope

[@bogdn47]

These are the types of videos that we signed up for! Keep them coming

[@noahsalco2026]

Thanks man it was my ground it’s soooo much better now I thought my subs were overpowered lol

[@prestonlawe]

i have 2 15’s on rockford fosgate p1 and amp everything was fine .. then i went over a speed bump and now when i turn the volume up the bass goes out and stuff .... need help please 😭

[@buckweezy1942]

Wow.....i think this is my problem with my bass tube.....bs wiring

[@ZwelaboSiyaya-jh2lj]

Hi The problem on my amplifier when cutoff it to turn off the ignition then turn it on before start to on again it could be the same problem as you explained or could be something else

[@DANNERZ305796]

Finally! A good and well explained video. I appreciate it. Great video!

[@user-pe9jl2dy1i]

MTX thunder75.4 amp think 400 watt 4 channel 2 8’s P2D2 think 500w 2 pairs of 6.5 P1650 Rockford fosgate had problem where couldn’t sustain 50 max volume some songs couldn’t get past 30-35 took it to shop that installed it said battery negative side was loose so tighten it and fixed but now after like 5 songs it starts to cut out again can you guess an the issue the shop isn’t finding

[@dreamnight-mq1zg]

What happens if your amp doesnt shutoff but the audio output channels cut out intermittenly on low volume, but plays fine when amplifier gain is set to max. My amplifier has this weird issue. When the amplifier is powered up from a cold state, it runs fine at low volume for 20min or so and then begins to cutout intermittently. However, if I set the amp gain at max, then the issue goes away. However during this time, if I turn the amp gain back down then its cuts out intermittently again immediately. So once the amp warms up, It will only run fine if amp gain is set to max. I’m stumped, never seen this issue before. Checked all wiring, ground and dc power voltage and everything is fine. Only thing that drops out intermittently is the voltage on the output channels, but dc voltage remains constant at around 13 - 14 volts or so. I’m assuming there may be a bad cold solder somewhere internally in the amplifier circuit board that could be causing a bad voltage connection once the amp warms up around 20minutes. Could incorrect amplifier bias settings also cause this issue as well? Or perhaps bad resistors or capacitors? Quite stumped on this problem.

[@fcoriverah]

i have the same problem, did you ever fixed this?

[@retrobear9367]

So I have been struggling with audio issues in my 03 Corvette. I've taken out all of the old Bose stuff. Only thing left from that system is the pac harness. I have a touch screen kenwood. I'm using both RCA jacks. Ive got my 2 fronts and 2 rears going to a 600w amp and a 4f cap (it was on sale for cheap, so I said f it). I also have a self powered sub. Whenever ive been bumping hard at high volume, the amp cuts out and the powered sub, goes off but shows its getting power. I can't figure out what the hell the issue is. My grounds seem fine.

[@chadmitchell9653]

I done what you said about cutting the volume up my meter went way down to like a 9 I started at 13 . What do I do know ? Was it supposed to drop that much

[@HandMadeWrath]

0:34 what if both turn off?

[@Random.Adventures.]

curious on your thoughts my car amp keeps shocking me when i touch it. I grounded it and tried grounding it again and still same issues any idea?

[@Catalano25]

Any idea why it would happen in a stereo with a built in amp (sony ax7000)? I checked stereo, wires, speaker, power, ground, alternator but I cannot figure out why it goes into protect. Pls help

[@andrewedenjonesful]

Hi, great video, can you advise me please? My head unit keeps restarting when turned up high volume. I have followed your video and checked everything, changed the speaker wires, changed all the wires in fact, even tried a different head unit, different amp, different speakers, yet the same thing happens with all. I have tried wiring everything direct to the car battery only, same thing happens... Does this signify that it is a problem with the battery not having enough power to cope when volume turned up?

[@jamesb1988]

The pliers 😂😂😂

[@LuisSilva-nh3en]

I have a strange problem may be you could help. So i kinda experience sound quality oscilation. When I'm experiencing really good sound quality from my system, when I turn up the volume the sound cuts and only the sub is playing. This happens until the sound quality gets worse by itself, without doing nothing, just using the radio normaly, and keeps that way for months until randomly become good again, but it lasts a week or so.. when I say i lose sound quality is like a file that is 320kps sounds like its 128kps.. Feels like the amp stays in security mode or so...

[@305chevyboysp6]

So when u turn volume up did u mute it when u text with meter?

[@gccris5304]

My amp gets good volts I re wired everything new rca speaker wires and it still cuts off at volume 30

[@briannn9799]

Did I fix it?

[@rmblwgn]

Triple check your grounds

[@gccris5304]

@@briannn9799 no it still does it ::

[@Drillorz]

Still no fix?

[@Dubzy__]

The noise the subs made at the beginning was too familiar :/. My Belva’s caught fire in the back but went out immediately. Just very smoky

[@hittz8331]

Thanks Sonic Electronix, Yall always have very good info. The video was very informative.

[@rodgerroy8090]

I have this problem with my truck also being the amp cutting out.The stereo was already installed when I purchased the vehicle and has a capacitor installed with it. I finally looked at it the other day and noticed that two grounds are wired to the capacitor. When you mention bad ground and I hear people saying amp and capacitor should have separate grounds....Could this be my issue with my amp cutting out?

[@DalmaTon-Records]

I have the opposite problem. Sound (the speaker protection relay) cuts the sound when I turn the volume down on volume knob. And in my case its not the car amp but the hifi stereo amp...

[@QlueIess]

Hello I setup a subwoofer in my truck and I turned the bass knob all the way down to test and turned the volume up and my door speakers cutout is that faulty wiring I restarted my radio and they turn right back on ??? I did not hook up my door speakers to the amp I just tapped into those wires for the LOC I used crimp terminals in the back of my radio to LOC so I feel I did all my wiring correct! Any ideas ?

[@coolrthanu08]

Any idea why this would happen when there is a loud sound in the car? (like screaming or clapping)

[@josebadillo6592]

My amp worked great for a few months, but now when I plug in my RCA's, it goes into protection mode, I tried different RCA's and still, the same thing, is it the amp that's the problem?

[@Gstark88]

I've looked and tried everything. When vehicle is put into, "DRIVE" or "REVERSE" the AMP goes into "PROTECT". PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF LLOYD...HEEEEEELLLP MEEEEEEE!!!! About to use the hammer...

[@Hellofrank35]

Hey.. My subs clips with i turn the volume up shuts off, until i turn the volume back down about 12...

[@raymondrogers5999]

What is it when the stereo shuts off but the amp still has power

[@akbaradam948]

Can a blown fuse cause this?

[@rmblwgn]

HEADS UP PEOPLE: your car battery should never read 11.5 volts with the car off, especially on.... If it does you need to hook it up to a charger ASAP. If it drains back to 11-11.5 you need a new battery... if the battery is quality and new then you need to investigate your alternator(charges battery)

[@BassMaann]

ive checked everything, ground speaker wires, power wire, OHMs, power drop everything, subs too, and my amp still pops in and out at loud volumes. plz help

[@markie1993]

My 4 channel cuts out at high volume but if I unhook 1 channel it plays fine if all 4 channels playing it goes into protect at high volume . I've checked all connections . I'm thinking it's the amp

[@jeanangi3233]

How can you help me please I have an amplifier it works normally but as soon as I increase the volume it automatically turns off and sometimes even blows the fuse

[@pracheerdeka6737]

My jbl bluetooth speakers having this cutting sounds at high volume but its a comany fitted speaker and amplifier.

[@LuisLopez-kn5bj]

Thanks man going to check all you said will follow up in a few days wish me luck

[@g_dub]

Thanks bud 👍

[@305chevyboysp6]

When u turn volume to u mute da subs while u testing voltage?

[@daddybo7714]

Awesome video, love the detail and walk thru

[@pigeonsil240sx]

one thing to add is how to do power to power or ground to ground voltage drop test,since the meter measures difference in potential you can isolate what wire has the vd,by placing one end on ground of batter and the other at the ground of the amp any voltage you see on the meter is actually the loss of voltage so if it says 4v you have 4v loss.you an then move the meter probe up the wire and if the meter reads say 0.2v you just past where the VD is and can work your way bake and forth till you find the exact spot.you can then do the exact test on power side next and see if it has voltage drop. the purpose of doing this is to narrow down if your VD is on power or ground side voltage drop. easy easy test.

[@albycortez1992]

What do u think the problem might be if i have the opposite happen. My amp for highs goes into protect when i higher the volume

[@anonymousemail8373]

Hey, may Holden viva has everything working well with loud sound and I love it, the problem is my volume steering controls are not working yet it was working on my factory radio before I took it out. What might be the problem? Am Using Sony XAV-AX3000 Headunit.

[@rmblwgn]

You need to get the appropriate adapter to connect the factory steering wheel wires into the steering wheel input headphone jack on the back of your new radio

[@justinfeliciano6033]

Sounds like my issue right now with new amp I think my wire prolly pulled onto another wire cause it a short

[@PTTrue-mu5rq]

Thanks

[@contentdeleted6085]

So I got my 12v 50a 1500w power supply and how to properly ground my amp to a power supply

[@eliasromo1246]

I need help I have 4 4 Ohm infinity reference speakers connected to a 2 Ohm amp and when I turn up the volume the front speakers cuts out and the rear speakers keep working fine any ideas what can be the problem???

[@Cristianperez-nq7nv]

Mine was something like that but when I increased volume everything was fine but as soon as I used more than 30% gain that’s when the sun will cut out sometimes it would play fine until 50% gain and then cut off and not come on again until I turn off and on

[@suprola7961]

Ok, I have to correct you... The multi-meter will read through your body, creating addition resistance. If you probe you 2ohm sub, without your thumbs, you will most likely see 2ohms.

[@christopherfrancis3627]

why does the music sound goes out when playing in my truck when playing from my iphone 14

[@mhawthorne10]

Why is my db drive 6.5 highs keep cutting out at volume 6? I have to turn the car off then back on just for the music to come back on.

[@xav1er512xo]

my amo goes into protection mode and i checked every single wire all are perfect its a brand new jl audio 4 channel 600watts

[@J68browneyez]

I been having the same problem lately with mine . I got 2 JL Audio amps running 300/4v3 and 600/slash and I have a Hc 600 kintetik battery hooked up also. I checked everything and cant find the problem. The box just cut off one day. I comes on at low volume 1-3 at 4 the sound is lost. But my problem is the battery drains and I got a parasitic drain. Pulled all fuses and nothing.. come to find out it's the alternator. So I'm going to see what happens when I finally get another alternator put in. I got a 142amp alternator in my car now but I'm about to get a 250 amp alternator to make sure its enough to pull the system without any electrical problems.

[@xav1er512xo]

@@J68browneyez my alternator is perfect charges the way it should took of my amp and connected all my speakers back to the stereo not the best quality but the music doesnt die on me no more

[@darrellcook9830]

My sub amp starts fluttering and thumping loud when i turn it up. I have given up as I have tried everything.

[@305chevyboysp6]

I’m having same problem with my system when I turned volume up my bass amp goes in protect

[@robertromero8094]

I was bassing hard plug in my cigarette lighter charger and it cut lol old wires is my guess off 2 test why I blew a fuse doing that

[@ayobhuawei17]

i neeeeeed all these information verey thanx...thank you thats great from great person

[@chrispuente6910]

Great video very helpful and understanding

[@SimpleMan9841]

Awesome video Thanks. Helpep me diagnose my issue.

[@sanjulaamarakoon1342]

Thank you

[@VenganzaCayey]

For some reason when I put my volume up ...my amp turns off and doesn't go on for like 2 or 3 days after sometimes after a week. It was good at first when install now it's just doing that...and I don't know how to fix 🤷‍♂️

[@abderrazekmansouri2115]

Thanks a lot

[@hx2415]

What about a head unit design for 4ohm coil ... But the speakers are two ohm .

[@hx2415]

So yes like you said. My speakers gotta be swapped

[@adamlc152]

Im having a issue with sound going out sounding horrible after lets say 15 to min plying sounds perfect until after that time frame then it sound horrible low and distorted any ideas where to look deck is a new pioneer MVH-300EX speakers are new NVX VSP525 fronts and NVX VSP65 for the rears

[@adamlc152]

15 to 20 minutes of play time front speakers are components by the way

[@chetanbandwal8919]

most beneficial video👍👍👍

[@tony_S22]

Great information! And nice test bench. 🤙

[@luisvaldez9603]

Could it be too much speaker not enough amp?

[@dennis12879]

i think mine is a bad ground theres pot holes every where

[@gamersoul6996]

My amp doesn't go into protection mode, it doesn't even shut, off it plays for five minutes depending on the song. The subwoofer will quite down and still play but really soft and it'll have a slight buzz with the beat like it's blown, but it's not and I've tested all my subs even my smaller subs does the same thing. Last time this happened the protect light came on and I just clipped the ends of all the 4gauge wiring due to melting. Can't really afford bigger gauge but that fixed it. But this time my protect light isn't on could it be linked to the same problem. Should I just go ahead and rewire the whole thing? I've clipped the ends this time and did not fix it. only plays a little longer before going soft. Could there be wiring in the middle be burning itself apart where I can't see?

[@EdgarMendezz]

Hi guys. Please help me with my system. I have a kxa800.5 amplifier with 4 door speakers 100 rms each and a sub with 400 rms. I also happen to have that exact same radio that we see in the video above. Now my question: Could you please tell me the possible reason why my radio will lower my music volume when my phone alarm goes off? When I play music on my phone it works great. (My sub could have a little more bass output though but hey u get what u pay for I guess) However when my phone alarm goes off and starts ringing, it will cut off my music and I will hear my alarm not through my door speakers but through my phone. Then when I turn up my volume to max to try to get any sound from the speakers, I can only hear it barely. Like perhaps the radio goes into protection mode or I’m not sure. The amp has a red light to show if it is protection. But the amp is fine and the red light is off. Please help thanks for your time in reading this long explanation. ✌️

[@milojkokitic6991]

Edgar Mendez do you play music from your phones 3.5mm jack ro bluetooth, i know my phone temporarly lowers the volume for a few seconds on 3.5mm jack when using headphones when i recive notification

[@cherokeeoff-road2158]

3:49 lol i died

[@jagsepulvado6360]

My radio turns off at high volumes. Does that also mean a bad ground?

[@bmtkid00]

you ever figure it out. i think im having the same problem.

[@TheBarrios69]

It might be where you connected the remote wire from the power the amp. The connection where the stereo is.

[@renec0327]

Thanks bro i got that problem in my amp for tje media speakers and my bass amp stop working

[@user-on8cg3oy9l]

Mine is doing the same thing but my amp isn’t going into protection

[@georgekimaru6395]

my amp turns off at high audio volume while a new amp is fine with the same conditions what's wrong with the first one

[@sheldenkawaa7943]

Check the fuses on the amp

[@babyjesus2025]

Awesome video as usual thanks

[@jccosme3978]

But I got a reverse camera n when I put it n reverse n back on drive my subs come back on for a lil while n go back off

[@mohamedbro7972]

Thanks bro!! Problem solved 😃

[@laladoddle_hehe]

Im havith a problem with my subwoofers and amp I'm pretty sure it's my amp my amp is not turning on I changed all the fuses and I'm not getting no power to it when I if the remote wire to the positive wire the protection light comes on and dims out within two seconds I just bought a digital meter I need a little help

[@D_nuggz]

So if your amp is set to 4 oms and your subs are pushing 2 oms what do you change?

[@D_nuggz]

Or vice-versa?