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Help Needed - Troubleshooting Aftermarket C5 System
I installed a Kenwood DD system with Arc Audio speakers, subwoofer, and amp a few years ago in my C5 convertible. Last week I plugged my iPhone into the Apple Car Play port that was installed into my center console and unintentionally blasted the music volume due to the iPhone volume settings. Since then, the only speaker that works is the driver's side front speaker. I'm getting nothing from the rear speakers, the passenger front door speaker, or the subwoofer.
Below are a couple pics of the system. The amp is mounted in the passenger side cubby in the trunk. I'm not sure where to start in terms of troubleshooting and would appreciate any advise. The shop that installed the system is no longer in business so I will need to try another shop if I can't fix it. If I need to outsource for the fix, I will probably upgrade to a newer head unit and add a back-up camera.
My guess is that you blew the speakers out. I suggest finding another speaker someplace and try to connect it up to the wiring of one of the ones that doesn’t work and see if you get any sound out of it, if not then I’d be looking at the amp next.
My guess is that you blew the speakers out. I suggest finding another speaker someplace and try to connect it up to the wiring of one of the ones that doesn’t work and see if you get any sound out of it, if not then I’d be looking at the amp next.
Thanks. I thought that as well and I may try to hook up another speaker to see if that's the issue. The system did come back once or twice where I was getting sound from all the speakers, but then yesterday, it was back to the driver door speaker only plus after checking the system again after my drive, I noticed the amp was pretty warm.
Thanks. I thought that as well and I may try to hook up another speaker to see if that's the issue. The system did come back once or twice where I was getting sound from all the speakers, but then yesterday, it was back to the driver door speaker only plus after checking the system again after my drive, I noticed the amp was pretty warm.
If you had it come back and the speakers sounded fine then I’d suspect its the amp. What’s that little black box hanging off the amp ?
If you had it come back and the speakers sounded fine then I’d suspect its the amp. What’s that little black box hanging off the amp ?
Not sure but I suspect it’s where the fuses are located from what I’ve read, but they are usually installed near the battery. I don’t have anything from the audio system connected near the battery, just my four-on lighting harness for my ACA bi-xenon lights that I installed.
Not sure but I suspect it’s where the fuses are located from what I’ve read, but they are usually installed near the battery. I don’t have anything from the audio system connected near the battery, just my four-on lighting harness for my ACA bi-xenon lights that I installed.
Not that this is your problem, but you should have a fuse for the amp+ cable 18” or less off your battery, if you don’t, you’re taking chances of burning your car up. Do you know the gauge wire used to connect the amps + and - connections ? These need to be the proper gauge wire per the amps recommendations found in the amp owners manual.
the black box by the amp is probably a ground loop isolator..... my guess from the picture
also i am not a fan of mounting a amplifier upside down..
the amp is designed to let the heat rise up off the heat sink, mounting it down will allow the heat to internally thermal out also this will happen faster in the non ventilated area like therear cubby
Last edited by c345vette; Feb 12, 2024 at 03:49 PM.
Not that this is your problem, but you should have a fuse for the amp+ cable 18” or less off your battery, if you don’t, you’re taking chances of burning your car up. Do you know the gauge wire used to connect the amps + and - connections ? These need to be the proper gauge wire per the amps recommendations found in the amp owners manual.
Thanks. I kept the paperwork and should have the information on the amp. I read earlier about the amp fuse being close to the battery so it could be wired in somewhere along between the battery den in the engine and the rear trunk cubby. I will also check the passenger footwell fuse box as I think that's where the OEM audio system fuses are located.
the black box by the amp is probably a ground loop isolator..... my guess from the picture
also i am not a fan of mounting a amplifier upside down..
the amp is designed to let the heat rise up off the heat sink, mounting it down will allow the heat to internally thermal out also this will happen faster in the non ventilated area like therear cubby
Good point on the amp being up side down, this could possibly causing the thermal protection on the amp to trip out.
the black box by the amp is probably a ground loop isolator..... my guess from the picture
also i am not a fan of mounting a amplifier upside down..
the amp is designed to let the heat rise up off the heat sink, mounting it down will allow the heat to internally thermal out also this will happen faster in the non ventilated area like therear cubby
Originally Posted by madsonp
Good point on the amp being up side down, this could possibly causing the thermal protection on the amp to trip out.
Thanks for pointing this out. The amp has been in the car about 10 years so I don’t think the mounting position tripped it or caused the system fail. The problems started after the unintentional loud blast of music a few days ago. I’m still trying to figure out where the amp fuses are located and will be checking the passenger seat footwell fuse box next.
I told the original shop that performed the install that I wanted the system to be as stealth as possible and I wanted to maintain a functional trunk and be able to transport my golf bag. My goal was not to out-thump other cars, just better sound than the stock system. I was happy with the results up until this problem.
Thanks for pointing this out. The amp has been in the car about 10 years so I don’t think the mounting position tripped it or caused the system fail. The problems started after the unintentional loud blast of music a few days ago. I’m still trying to figure out where the amp fuses are located and will be checking the passenger seat footwell fuse box next.
I told the original shop that performed the install that I wanted the system to be as stealth as possible and I wanted to maintain a functional trunk and be able to transport my golf bag. My goal was not to out-thump other cars, just better sound than the stock system. I was happy with the results up until this problem.
While I agree that mounting the amp upside down in a non-ventilated area like the rear cubby is not ideal, I highly doubt that this is the cause of the OP's problems, especially since it's been mounted this way for 10 years and this is the first and only issue.
I would be more concerned that there is no limiter for external sources built into your head unit, or that this is either turned off or turned up too high which has allowed your amp to be damaged. To me, it certainly does sound like your amp has been damaged. If you aren't comfortable doing the work yourself, I suggest finding a reliable shop in your area to have a look and potentially carry out the repairs/replacement.
Help Needed - Troubleshooting Aftermarket C5 System
