Car Stereos: non-working amp, mercury sable, radio works

Question
Justin,

My name is Josh, and I'm hoping you can help me figure out my problem. I have a 2003 Mercury Sable, and I recently got a set of subs and an amp to install. My problem is that, even though there is power running to the amp (I checked by sparking with the ground), the amp is not turning on. I kept my factory head unit, as it has the climate control combined with it. I attached the remote wire to the 12V accessory wire behind the factory head unit. The radio works, and I know the amp works because we took it off of a working set-up. Is there anything that I'm doing wrong in the setup?

Thanks,



Josh

Answer
Hi Josh,

Step one is to check your fuses.  NEVER EVER EVER spark power to ground.  EVER.  Especially on an amp wire which is a thick gauge, high amperage fused link that can carry anywhere from 30 to 80 amps of electricity.

Once you've done that, get a multimeter.  Test from the power wire to ground and ensure there is 12V or more.

Then, turn on your car and stereo, and use the mulimeter to test from the remote wire to ground.  Make sure it has 12V as well.

Check the fuses in the amplifier itself and make sure they're good.  If you get all the right readings, it would appear your amp is fried.  Sparking the power to ground while anything is attached to the amp could have fried it too.

Justin