aftermarket sub/amp, wired, not working?

[x5GuyInLA]

Originally Posted by tbal69

Hey, yes the sub works and everything, pounds very nice , but sub makes a popping sound, and comes out (excursion) (the rubber lifts up), seems like its gonna blow, then when i turn the radio off, it comes out (excursion) then goes slowly back in making a boom boom swooosh sound. Just doesnt seem right, and or safe for the sub... my car doesnt do this... ... i think it has something to do with the remote wire...

Don't know too much about audio, but I'll see if I can help...is it making a popping sound while you play it or when you turn the system on or off? If it's during during play, you might be pushing the amp too hard and it's clipping, or you're playing too loudly and distorting the subwoofer. If it's during turn on or turn off, it could be an improper ground or voltage. Check your connections and see if that could be the issue. I hope that helps some.

[tbal69]

hey, its a pop sound when i turn the radio on or off...

[x5GuyInLA]

There are a few articles online that discuss this problem. Some says it's a grounding issue, others say it happens with older amps. I didn't do my system, but they shop that did it soldered all the connections. The pop you're getting is a signal spike from the HU and what some have suggested is putting in an on/off switch for the sub amp to turn it on after you start the car and off before you turn off the car. If you have another amp with high level inputs, test it with that and see if you still get the popping

[x5GuyInLA]

ok, here's a posting I found on the web. according to this, maybe your remote is connected to the ignition as opposed to the radio remote lead.

4. I've had a new amplifier installed and every time I turn my car on or off my speakers pop. Is there anything I can do to stop the popping?
The most common cause we see of speakers popping when a new amplifier has been installed, has to do with what is called the 'remote turn-on lead', or 'wakeup lead'. This wakeup lead is what tells the new amplifier to turn on at the proper moment. The wakeup lead should be connected to a wire exiting the factory radio that is typically labeled as 'amplifier turn-on lead'.

For a variety of reasons these two wires sometimes do not get connected to one another. Instead, to turn the new amplifier on, its wakeup lead is connected to an ignition source. Doing so leaves the new amplifier on any time the car's key is turned on. The reason a pop is caused by this method is that the amplifier is 'awake' when the audio signals come from the radio. A small voltage "blip" accompanies the very start of the audio signal when the radio is turned on. Systems are designed for the amplifier to "wakeup" shortly after this blip enters the amplifier - thus the blip is never heard. If the amplifier is already awake when this blip comes through, it amplifies the blip, turning it into a pop.

Some vehicles do not have a turn-on lead that is compatible with aftermarket amplifiers - the vehicle may use a 5-volt signal, but the amplifier needs 12 volts in order to turn on. SoundGate's TRIGLOHD interface remedies this situation, transforming the 5-volt signal into a 12-volt turn on lead. A low-voltage factory amplifier turn-on lead will be found in many Ford Motor Company vehicles, Lexus automobiles, and Infiniti automobiles.




Turn on thump can vary from a slight pop to a mind shattering, teeth rattling BOOM! This thump is caused by the audio circuitry stabilizing when power is applied. Most amplifiers and source units have muting circuitry that lasts a couple of seconds to allow these fluctuations to subside before passing a signal. However, if the amplifier un-mutes before the source unit or any other accessory, you better watch out. Here are some things to try if you have turn on thump.

Verify that the amp has a good audio ground reference. (See rule 6 of the Ten Commandments of noise free installation.)
Don't install the system so the amplifiers can be switched on when the source unit is turned off.
If you still have thump, add a turn on delay module in line with the remote turn on wire to the amp.



Q: How can I stop the annoying "thump" I get when turning on my stereo?

A: This is a common problem. When you first turn on your system, the turn-on signal going to your amplifier causes a pulse that produces a nasty thump or pop in your speakers. The way around this is a thump muting circuit. It uses a relay to eliminate the thump.


http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com//gr.../noise_faq.jpg
That should answer it

[tbal69]

and where do i get this relay or delay module?

[x5GuyInLA]

local shops should have something similar or you can get it from www.crutchfield.com. it's where the pic is from.

[tbal69]

whats the proper name for it.. cant seem to find it on crutch... ebay?

[x5GuyInLA]

here's the only place I could find the MC100 listed on the website...maybe it's a discontinued item or the company is no longer in business. check all your wires, make sure they have a good connection, or maybe try another amp and see if it still pops. if you still have the problem, my recommendation is just to go to a local shop and have them re-install it for you, as there's only so much troubleshooting we can do on here w/o seeing how everything is connected.

[tbal69]

sounds good, thanks alot for the help, big thanks out to alpac!

[alpac]

Sorry was not checking this forum for a while. Some kind of popping sound when your turn your amp on is normal as long as it is not too loud. What you hear is the spark of the factory radio and amp turning on which then is amplified by your sub amp. As explained in the previous post the remote +12v wire provides a +12v to the factory amp slightly after the radio has turned on. Here you used the same remote +12v for both factory amp and sub amp therefore you have both of them powered at the same time. Several things you may want to check though. A loud popping sound could be due to a loose ground. Did you properly ground the high level input ground wire? Also check if you did not put the gain too high. Try to reduce the gain on your sub amp. If you still hear the popping sound and if it really bothers you a delay circuitry should indeed help. Some circuits will mute the sub amp and some others will mute the speaker for a short period of time until the radio and amps are on.