dr.s2k

So I've found that if I have my sub and amp hooked up to my system when it's on the car's electricals (and idle) go whack, every few seconds the revs drop, lights dim, etc.

This is even with the volume muted.

If I disconnect the amp's remote turn-on, or if the system is off, everything's fine.

video:[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwbwDe75UTs [/media]


what's going on?! the setup was all working fine for 4 months and now this has suddenly happened. grounds are ok, connections clean, fuses seem to be fine?

ideas?

dr.s2k

bump! anyone?

iDashX

only thing i can think of is grounding issue or battery is about to die soon. I purchased a mazda 3 2 years ago. full decked out custom sound system. noticed i had the same problem. Threw in a capacitor... problem lessened. threw in a grounding kit from buddy club and everything is working fine. its my sister's car now and she hasn't had any problems with revs dropping.

Where are you grounding it to? bare metal or are you relying on a bolt as a ground?

dr.s2k

Thanks for the reply

The battery is about 2 months old and the problem is the same after the change.

It's grounded to a bolt, but I sanded away the paint beneath the bolt for a better connection. Looks like I need to re-ground the damn thing. I'll try that.. thanks

2big4aS2000

i check the ground at battery and fire wall...... you really should do a ground upgrade, i find factory s2000 grounds are weak.

dr.s2k

Thanks for the helpful replies. Looks like a bad amp.

First I tried re-grounding by sanding a spot of paint/self tapping screw. Same problem. Then I swapped over the power and ground wires from the amp with those from my other amp (which has been working fine). The wire gauges and fuses are identical. Same problem again. This points the finger at the amp, yes? The fuses in the amp itself are fine too.

What can I do about this, is it really time for a new amp? This one's barely 18 months old.

DFWs2k

not amp, per se, this happens when you are drawing more power than your alternator/power can provide without pulling from other areas, if it bothers you, add another battery and a higher output alternator

tidus888

sounds like alternator to me.... simple.. use a multimeter and test voltage with the car started... with the audio system running... and do it once without!

dr.s2k

With system off it reads around 14.3V (if I remember right, but it's definitely 14+V), with system on it reads the same but everytime the revs dip the reading comes down to around 12.7V or so for a second before going back up to 14+V until the next rev dip.

Is this consistent with a not strong enough alternator?

NFRs2000NYC

You would need a HUGE amp (going at full power no less) to affect the s2000 like that. I would bet it's a bad amp.