QuestionQUESTION: That was the first thing I did,got no radio at all.The same happens when I pull the remote start wire.Somehow the amp kicks in with the loud base when the engine is running.
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The text above is a follow-up to ...
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2003 Toyota with JBL premium sound system.With the key on and engine not running I like the sound. With engine running there is too much base.Is there any way I can disable amplifier and still have the radio work? When I pull the remote start I get no radio at all. Bob
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Try removing the fuse for the amp?
ANSWER: I have not seen one of those in person, so this is just guess work.
If all of the speakers' sound come from one amp, you may be out of luck as this very much reduces the flexibility of the system.
There are ways of doing what you are asking but it will take a pro seeing it in person to do it. They might be able to adjust the levels of the sub at the amp but then again, it may not be adjustable at all.
You may end up having to use two amps. One for the highs and one for the subs, then you can have the ability to adjust their levels independantly. How this can be nost effectively done will be based on the existing setup, though.
You may be able to use the existing amp for the mids and highs and install a second one for the sub (which could be turned down to suit your tastes) or you may have to replace it AND the headunit.
Toyota might have set this up so that it only has full power when the engine is running to extend the battery run time when the engine is off. It is also possible that the system just has a problem.
I know spending money is not what you wnated to hear, but it wouold be the best resolve to get more flexibility for the system control and setup.
J Mael
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QUESTION: Thanks Jerry
I guess I am stuck with it,all speakers are from the amp.I have had the amp out,there is no adjustment on it.Somehow the amp senses when the engine is running,I have the Toyota wiring diagrams but I don't see how it is controlled.
Thanks again,
Bob
AnswerNot that it will help but you are not alone.
This is the 'cost' of most turn-key, factory systems out there. You get what they sell you, and it probably costed too much. :/
You are indeed stuck with it until you decide to upgrade it to a user friendly system.
If there is a silver lining in the bucket.. it is that you can get a few low budget devices and cure this totally.
A new head unit <100.00
4 channel amp for the mids and highs for about 130.00
A mono sub amp for about $100.
Then you could use the factory speakers only and get nearly any sound you want out of it and ten times the flexibility for probably less than 1/3 of that that system cost.
An a pinch I bet you could have a shop unhook the sub from the factory amp and run a mono slave amp for it that would have adjustability.
One other option would be to put a passive controller on the speaker leads to the sub.
In a nutshell, you can get the attenuation by using different combinations of resistors in the kit to make a voltage divider (this takes only 2 resitors). Obviously, this attenuator is not adjustable unless you pull a resistor out, and replace it with a different value. If you know the efficiencies of your subwoofer, you can calculate what % of the voltage you want to attenuate, and put in the appropriate resistors.
It would be best to speak with a local pro if you would like to to do that.
Cheers, J Mael
