Car Stereos: 2001 F-150 car dvd install, jvc cd player, internal amplifier

Question
QUESTION: Hey Justin,

I have a 2001 F-150. for the past few months I have had a JVC cd player which has worked perfectly. Just recently I bought a Power Acoustik dvd player to take its place. The uninstall/install went very smooth and the unit seems to be working. however, I do not have sound on radio/cd/dvd, etc...basically no sound whatsoever. i have the aftermarket wire harness which was pretty straight forward and cannot seem to figure out the problem. im hoping you can help me out. thank you very much.

ANSWER: Hi Chris,

Assuming the wiring was pretty much the same (ie they both used high level outputs or both used amplifier preouts), then go through the menus in the Power Acoustik and make sure that there isn't a menu option to disable the internal amplifier.  If there is, change it.

If there isn't, all you can reasonably do is make suer the wiring is correct.  If you're sure it is, you may have to send the unit back for a replacement.

Justin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks for such a quick response. i have gone thru the unit and dont think that there is a menu option to disable the internal amplifier. however, i did notice that alongside the factory connection from ford there is another 16 hole plug with 'amp' written on the side of it, but this does not plug in anywhere, Im sure this must be my problem. im confused because i dont think this plug was being used with my JVC deck (where the sound was working fine) there are 9 wires leading into this 'amp' plug. reading other discussion forums online it seems like other people have had the same sort of issue and have talked about bypassing the internal amplifier. any new suggeestions? thanks.

Answer
Hi Chris,

The concern for me is that you said you had an aftermarket deck in the car before you switched to another aftermarket unit.

Were the wires used on the old unit the same as the ones used on this one?

I suspect you may be right about the amp bypass, but usually if you have the right factory harness, you should be able to keep using the factory amp.

Justin