Sound cutting out

[Terminal]

Hey guys, i jsut installed a new Pioneer MP3 head unit plugged into a V12 alpine 4/3/2 + sub Amp, running 2 10" subs. now when i turn the bass up, or even the volume up, the sound cuts out. i thought it might have been the subs drawing too much power, but when i turn the subs off it still does it when i turn the volume right up. now i've had pioneer head units before, but never plugged into amps. they didn't cut out like this, just became really distorted.

The last time a stereo did anything like this was when the battery was flat. does this mean i need a new battery? it still does it with the car on or off. perhaps i need one of those 1 Farad capacitor things? anywho, any help would be appreciated

[daler32]

check that your speaker terminals arnt touchin any metal part of the car causing a short cos that will do it

[babs]

i've got the exact same problem. its not that the sub cuts out its the actual amp stops. i've also got 2 6*9s connected through the amp and they cut out to if i turn "loud" on, increase the volume of the sub or just turn it up pretty loud, it cuts out on the hi bass notes.. that sound about rite Terminal?

edit: i also have a pioneer deck.

[V8skylineMAN]

definately a short circuit in your speaker wires......check EVERYTHING....mine was doing it, and it turned out to be the springs that keep the boot lid up were pinching the wires to my 6.9's

[C_DawG]

What impedence is the amp running at?

Pull the wires off the amp, and test the impedence with a multimeter if you have one.

[rocketboy]

Basically C_dawg, i saying you might be overloading your amp, and it is going into 'protection mode'.

Maybe give amp details, model etc, and how you've wired it all up.

Do this after you have checked all speaker wires for a short.

[someonestolecc]

Make sure your +/- speaker wires are also correct and that you've bridged the subs to their proper terminals and selected bridge mode (if that applies).

[C_DawG]

Eh? I gave an answer not asked the question

[Terminal]

Ok, i wasn't aware that speaker +/- mattered, i've always just made sure 2 wires went into speaker and 2 wires come out of speaker. i'll check tomorrow all of the wires aren't earthing, but sureley that would affect the output completely, not just at high volume

I am getting cutout when loud is on, or the volume is high with bass. i've been told it could be a bad earth, so another reason to check all of my cables. if i turn the subs off it still does it, which led me to believe a bad head unit connection

also, i've been sold a lemon head unit. half of the lights don't come on, and most of the buttons don't work. i have to use the remote to do anything. the battery wire also seems to not be working. when i initially installed the unit i made sure it was. and now it doesn't remember where i was on the CD or the radio stations. it's quite annoying, because the place i got it from has to send it off for repairs, not just replace it.

[Terminal]

Well, i pulled the head unit out, undid all the wires, plugged them back in and now everything is working fine, i can crank it as loud as i want. the head unit is still busted, but i have a warranty on that. thanks for your help guys

[Terminal]

Well i thought i'd fixed it, but it seams it was only temporary. it's still louder than before but it also still cuts out at high bass levels, even on the radio.

Does anyone know if those big capacitors fix this, or are they for a different use?

[daler32]

nah capacitors wont fix it (apprentice electrician) sounds like sumthin in your head unit shorting out or a loose connection and wen there is some vibration its moving and cutting out. watch wat your cd player does wen it cuts out might offer some more light on the subject

[eXc]

Is it just the sound that cuts? Or do the lights on the head unit dim/go out?

If you actually did fix it temporarily, it sounds like it's a problem at the HU itself or the wiring into the HU. What about the fuse in the HU? Is it in there properly? Bad contact?

Failing that...How did you get power to it? Have you got a decent power connection to the head unit? Maybe it can't pull enough power?

As you said check your earth aswell, make sure it has a good contact.

[drunkenmaster]

Is the head unit running the cabin speakers or the amp?

Reasons the amp will go into protection? Its getting too hot.

Resons its getting too hot?

Your running a lower speaker impedance than it designed for?

Your ground cable is too small?

The amp has no ventialtion?

etc etc