Help with subwoofer please :(

[Simon99]

So after following many How To and Tutorials, I spent a whole day trying to install my MTX setup (amp and sub) to basicly end with a problem. I used factory radio and therefore bought a LOC. Followed all color codes and taped in the wire at the bottom of the B pillars. Now whats left is to make the subs works. I ran a remote wire and Manual Bass Controler from the front to the back and heres the problem: Stinger Capacitor lights up just fine, shows voltage (12 when off and 14 when car on) but the problem is at the amp... It doesnt light up ... Checked for tension on the remote line = good. Manual Bass Controler (that only connects to the amp) lights up. But why isnt the amp lighting and working ? I checked the ground, the fuses (on amp and on car) and nothing seems to work :( please help :(

[gabbygenier]

quick way to check if its the signal cable. just take a small piece of wire and put 12v on your signal wire at the amp. that way you'll eliminate that if its an issue. if that doesnt work then something is wrong with the amp. id say disconnect the the subs and RCA's and see if the amp then turns on with only power and nothing else connected.

what model amp do you have?

[Simon99]

I mazda progress ! When I started my car, my subs gave a big kick, then stopped ! Does that mean my setup is correct and the problem could be related to the wire tapping ?

[gabbygenier]

that would mean the amp turns on. but does it stay on?

if it turns on, go buy a rca to 3.5 (headphone) and plug an mp3 player into it, see if sound comes out if the car is on.

[Simon99]

i dont even know if it turns on, since I never saw a light come on it ...

[gabbygenier]

then do my first suggestion.

if you hear a pop, it means the subs are getting a signal somehow so that means the amp is turning on for at least a second

[TheMaterial]

make sure your remote wire is turning the amp on. Check with a multi meter. Double check the ground going to the amp it self.

What type of MTX amp is it?

Also what year is your car and model?

[Genpu_Mz3]

ok, time to trouble shoot, first get a test light, preferably a multi meter, see if you are getting enough voltage to your amp, your amp will not turn on 9v and under. make sure your ground is correct, all the paint should be stripped away to the bare metal, use one self tapping screw with a washer threw the hole on the ground connecter, make sure it is tight. place your ground side of the multimeter on your ground, put the postitive side on your 12v, read your voltage, then do the same for your trigger. if everything there reads over 10v your power set up is fine. next test your rca's. by the sound that your subwoofer is popping the problem sounds like its most likely the rca's. check to make sure you have connected your l.o.c. tto your speaker wires. do what gabby said and get a rca to 3.5mm aux cable, hook it up to the rca input on your amp and plud the headphone jack into an ipod and play music threw it. if it works then the problem lies in your rca's or you l.o.c. also make sure your rcas are plugged into the input on the amp not the output.

[leecheefoto]

You should have a small wire along with the 0/4/6/8 gauge wire feeding the power to the amp. That controls the ACC when you turn on the key, it signals the amp to turn on.

What you should have done first is check if that small wire sends voltage to the amp to signal it (the amp) to retrieve power from the battery like a relay. This is called the remote line.

With your cap installed, did you run the remote (power not bass) line from the amp to the ACC ignition wire?

[Simon99]

Well I have checked all of my power, including ground wire. Ground seems fine, power goes through the amp and the remote wire gets power when key is turned on and doesnt when its not (altough I used speaker wiere for that cable). I believe the problem lies in my rca connection ... Maybe its that cheap LOC from Canadian Tire ... I guess Ill have to buy an aftermarket stereo :( Here are somes pictures, and my car is a 2007 Mazda 3 Sport GS

(Sorry for bad quality)

http://s12.postimage.org/sxauecx7x/IMG_1162.jpg

http://s8.postimage.org/5311cwpxx/IMG_1160.jpg

[leecheefoto]

What you can do to test the LOC is from the RCA output (where it goes to your amp), you can plug it into a small tv (run an extension cord for power) and put the TV into the input channel. Then turn on your radio and see if there is sound signal.

I would have said to put it into a DJ mixer but not everyone is a DJ. Where do you live? I can possibly meet so I can bring a small recording mixer I use for video and see if there is any signal.


Another alternative way (you would need to go out to the store) is to buy RCA to 3.5mm earphone jack and listen through it.

[Simon99]

I don't live in Toronto .. I live in Ottawa... But I'll definately try the RCA to headphone or radio or mixer. Thanks for the ideas :)

[lcianf01]

What wire did you connect you signal wire to behind the head unit?

[gabbygenier]

Send me a PM, i live in ottawa, be willing to help you out with this issue

[Slade]

You mentioned you had a CAP installed? Have you tried bypassing that?

[Simon99]

You mentioned you had a CAP installed? Have you tried bypassing that?

I didnt actually, I<ll try that now :)

[Simon99]

I didnt actually, I<ll try that now :)

Sorry for double post, but progress !! (Maybe xD)
After bypassing the CAP, and turning on my car, it now seems like some power going through the subs (when i touch them, i feel them vibrating a little). Could that mean that the cap was causing the problem and that the second problem would be lying in my LOC ?

[theo575]

you might have the subs wired backwards, if not try pluggin just one of the RCA's in, fool around till you hear something.

What did you tap into for your signal wire? Cig lighter?


If it is your LOC you can fix it, you may have tapped into the incorrect wires (which I know I did), so I just fixed the wires back up and bought this (http://www.pac-audio.com/productDetails.aspx?ProductId=563&CategoryID=28) which was super simple to install and easy to deal with.

[Simon99]

you might have the subs wired backwards, if not try pluggin just one of the RCA's in, fool around till you hear something.

What did you tap into for your signal wire? Cig lighter?


If it is your LOC you can fix it, you may have tapped into the incorrect wires (which I know I did), so I just fixed the wires back up and bought this (http://www.pac-audio.com/productDetails.aspx?ProductId=563&CategoryID=28) which was super simple to install and easy to deal with.

And I fixed it ! Subwoofer now work flawlessly and kick as hell ! Too bad that the spoiler and rear glass rattle :( Thanks alot for all your help guys ! :)

[mikey32235]

is ur mazda a hatch? when u lift up the trunk there is a plastic cover at the top. take that off and the rattling should stop. thats how i fixed mine :)