QuestionI have an Alpine cda-d855 1.5 din cd player. I installed the unit into my 1989 Dodge Ram using 10 gauge power and ground leads, including by-passing the horrible ground strap that Dodge thought was a good idea. Initial install had only an Infinity Basslink powered sub running from any RCA's. I used the Alpine's speaker wires from the harness and ran new lines to the speakers themselves. Shortly after install, the sound from the speakers would come and go. The unit was still on, cd or radio still playing ( spectrum analyzer was still moving to the beat of the music and would show no movement at 0 volume )but no sound. I would shut off the unit for a little while, generally about 30 minutes, and it would come back on only to shut off again further down the road. I wired up a second amp ( Kenwood 4 channel ) to run the door speakers ( factory ) and the rear speakers ( Fuzion ), and now there is staic coming from the speakers and the sound tends to fade in and out never going completely out. I am quite partial to this unit and don't really want to go buy a new one. But I gotta have some music! Any help would be greatly appreciated.
AnswerA little too much for me to grasp completely; not knowing the installation details.
But, here is what you will have to do in order to get a handle on the matter. Because the audio coming and going can be a function of the wiring or loose connections or bad grounds, etc. the only way is to give the system a complete internal audit. I think you can do this because you sound like you have spent a fair amount of time grunting around the inside of the truck stringing wires,, etc.
First: Get a VOM (I recommend a little meter from Walmart electrical department - not the one in automotive - for $9.83) Use it to check the 12volt lines to all the amps and head end. Just make sure they are sold battery voltage.
SECOND: Use the ohmmeter section of the vom to check the continuity of all the speaker wires. You must disconnect the wires from the back of the amps and short the wire pairs at each speaker then check for low resistance AND any resistance to chassis ground (should be very high or infinite resistance).
THIRD: You can bench test each amp and head unit by bringing them outside the vehicle; attach to the battery with long wires and test it outside the car. If it is working reliably on the outside, but not when you reinstall it you have wiring or grounding problems that must be found and fixed.
FOURTH: Just because the spectrum analyzer display is showing does not mean anything is going out; this display is just an internal visual gizmo and not a real power meter or output indicator. All it really means is that the display electronics is working.
FIFTH: The shutting down after 30 minutes is alarming because that is usually a sign of over heating or over-current protection cutting in; So, I am of the opinion that you have some wiring problem going on. The above procedure may help you find it.
Hope this helps.
Cleggsan
