Nissan 370Z Forum  

Help! Subwoofer won't work

So my amplifier turns on but my subwoofer does not make any sound. Here's a list of things I have tried: - checked RCA wires and swapped them - changed

Go Back   Nissan 370Z Forum > Nissan 370Z Tech Area > Audio & Video


Like Tree11Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-06-2016, 07:04 PM   #1 (permalink)
Premium Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Toronto
Posts: 105
Drives: 16 Nissan 370z MB M6
Rep Power: 9
TheMagZ is on a distinguished road
Default Help! Subwoofer won't work

So my amplifier turns on but my subwoofer does not make any sound. Here's a list of things I have tried:

- checked RCA wires and swapped them
- changed the ground spot and even changed ground wire
- swapped subwoofer out for another
- swapped amplifier and the new one turned on but again no sound
- swapped power wire and fuse
- checked settings on deck and subwoofer is on (avic-8100nex)
- plugged in an rca to aux wire in amp and sub worked
- swapped out headunit and still nothing

Anyone have an idea of what I may be doing? I am truly confused. I have installed amps and subs so many times and never had issues. Not sure why it doesn't work. Only thing i haven't swapped out is the head remote wire but it couldn't be that could it? Considering the amp turns on...

Any help would be great. Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
TheMagZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2016, 03:32 AM   #2 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
RonRizz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Pine grove, Pa
Posts: 2,132
Drives: 2 feet, 3 pedals
Rep Power: 6774
RonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond repute
Default

aside from something in your settings on your HU, this is a puzzler. you say you swapped the rcas, and the amp, and no good....... #1 check voltage at amplifier power in from battery. Terminal corrosion can cause a voltage drop... If voltage is too low, amp will not switch on, but may still light up. If voltage is ok, I would check is for voltage at your rcas at the amp while stereo is playing. this will verify signal is there. If there is none, move back to HU and check for voltage on rcas there. try swapping rcas to another ouput to see if it gets you any sound....
Its not a problem with remote lead if amp is turning on.
What other equipt. do you have in your system?
TheMagZ likes this.
__________________
P99rs Head Unit--- Amps- 2 Pioneer Prs800d --- Zapco ST1000MX---Zapco ST-4XSQ---- SI BM mk5 Subs---SI TM65v2 Midbass--- SI M3 mids--- SI M25 xbl2 tweeters ----- 2016 MECA street class 3rd place at world finals
RonRizz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2016, 06:22 AM   #3 (permalink)
Premium Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Toronto
Posts: 105
Drives: 16 Nissan 370z MB M6
Rep Power: 9
TheMagZ is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RonRizz View Post
aside from something in your settings on your HU, this is a puzzler. you say you swapped the rcas, and the amp, and no good....... #1 check voltage at amplifier power in from battery. Terminal corrosion can cause a voltage drop... If voltage is too low, amp will not switch on, but may still light up. If voltage is ok, I would check is for voltage at your rcas at the amp while stereo is playing. this will verify signal is there. If there is none, move back to HU and check for voltage on rcas there. try swapping rcas to another ouput to see if it gets you any sound....

Its not a problem with remote lead if amp is turning on.

What other equipt. do you have in your system?

Thanks for the post. Its not corrosion because its a brand new car and brand new power wire. No other equipment other than what i mentioned. I'll check out what you mentioned and report back. Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
TheMagZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2016, 09:34 AM   #4 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
YzGyz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Houston
Posts: 1,449
Drives: 2010 Nismo
Rep Power: 62
YzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond repute
Default

If the amp turn on then the only thing I would mess with is the signal input. I would pull the rca out and use a rca to 1/8" jack and play from another source Luke a cell phone. If it plays then it's a problem from the head unit or rca. I would swap the rca first and see if it plays.

Do try pluggin the rca in to the full range speaker slots. See if it will play. If still no then your Hu is jacked up and get a new one. If it plays then the Sub output slot may either need a certain setting on or that output jack in dead.

YzGyz
YzGyz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2016, 11:01 AM   #5 (permalink)
Premium Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Toronto
Posts: 105
Drives: 16 Nissan 370z MB M6
Rep Power: 9
TheMagZ is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by YzGyz View Post
If the amp turn on then the only thing I would mess with is the signal input. I would pull the rca out and use a rca to 1/8" jack and play from another source Luke a cell phone. If it plays then it's a problem from the head unit or rca. I would swap the rca first and see if it plays.

Do try pluggin the rca in to the full range speaker slots. See if it will play. If still no then your Hu is jacked up and get a new one. If it plays then the Sub output slot may either need a certain setting on or that output jack in dead.

YzGyz

Thanks for the help but everything you have stated, i have tried. Played from rca out to aux from my phone and subs worked, swapped rca out and even swapped headunits.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
TheMagZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2016, 11:05 AM   #6 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
90 ST's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,861
Drives: 90 and 15 GMC Sierra
Rep Power: 420
90 ST has a reputation beyond repute90 ST has a reputation beyond repute90 ST has a reputation beyond repute90 ST has a reputation beyond repute90 ST has a reputation beyond repute90 ST has a reputation beyond repute90 ST has a reputation beyond repute90 ST has a reputation beyond repute90 ST has a reputation beyond repute90 ST has a reputation beyond repute90 ST has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Were the head units the same? Double check you are plugging into the right out put...I know it sounds stupid, but it happens, I had a shop call me for tech support the other day, wrong wire for remote turn on...they don't do a lot of audio install. lol
__________________
Not driving your car to keep it in nice shape, is like not wanting to smash your girlfriend so she stays tight for the next guy.
90 ST is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2016, 11:23 AM   #7 (permalink)
Premium Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Toronto
Posts: 105
Drives: 16 Nissan 370z MB M6
Rep Power: 9
TheMagZ is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 90 ST View Post
Were the head units the same? Double check you are plugging into the right out put...I know it sounds stupid, but it happens, I had a shop call me for tech support the other day, wrong wire for remote turn on...they don't do a lot of audio install. lol

No, different decks and one only has one spot where you can put the RCAs. Remote turn on is working because the amp is turning on. Can't be that can it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
TheMagZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2016, 12:54 PM   #8 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
RonRizz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Pine grove, Pa
Posts: 2,132
Drives: 2 feet, 3 pedals
Rep Power: 6774
RonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond repute
Default

this doesn't make sense to me. Obviously it is a signal input issue, if you input your phone and it played ok, that rules out voltage issues, as well as incorrect input settings at amplifier (possibly) and speaker out connections. the absolute only other thing it can be is that it is not getting a signal through the rcas. did you check the voltage to see if signal was present??
Next question.. was this hooked up and working, and just died, or a new install.
next question... Did you try a DIFFERENT set of rcas from HU to amp?
next question.. Is amplifier gain turned completely down
It sounds like you have done the majority of the troubleshooting necessary. Next step is to remove all pieces from car and do bench testing.
YzGyz likes this.
__________________
P99rs Head Unit--- Amps- 2 Pioneer Prs800d --- Zapco ST1000MX---Zapco ST-4XSQ---- SI BM mk5 Subs---SI TM65v2 Midbass--- SI M3 mids--- SI M25 xbl2 tweeters ----- 2016 MECA street class 3rd place at world finals
RonRizz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2016, 03:08 PM   #9 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
YzGyz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Houston
Posts: 1,449
Drives: 2010 Nismo
Rep Power: 62
YzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Bench test like Ron said. If you did what I suggested, it's a signal to amp problem. The amp played with an outside source. Take things apart and hook it to a battery for power, use a cd b or phone and try that. Hook speakers directly to the Hu itself, then try Hu to amp. Your going to have to go and test one thing at a time to find the thing that I'd not working. Test the rca too... so strange..

YzGyz
YzGyz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2016, 06:55 AM   #10 (permalink)
Car Audio Installer
 
bigaudiofanat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Magnolia DE
Posts: 8,342
Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x
Rep Power: 852
bigaudiofanat has a reputation beyond reputebigaudiofanat has a reputation beyond reputebigaudiofanat has a reputation beyond reputebigaudiofanat has a reputation beyond reputebigaudiofanat has a reputation beyond reputebigaudiofanat has a reputation beyond reputebigaudiofanat has a reputation beyond reputebigaudiofanat has a reputation beyond reputebigaudiofanat has a reputation beyond reputebigaudiofanat has a reputation beyond reputebigaudiofanat has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via AIM to bigaudiofanat Send a message via Yahoo to bigaudiofanat Send a message via Skype™ to bigaudiofanat
Default

What are the settings on your amp like? Where is the gain knob at? What is your crossover at? Is your rca's on the head unit plugged into the sub output?
__________________
Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know
Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com
Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below
https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/
bigaudiofanat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2016, 05:50 PM   #11 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
DeliriousClam's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: NJ
Age: 30
Posts: 3,758
Drives: 12 Base Sport
Rep Power: 54271
DeliriousClam has a reputation beyond reputeDeliriousClam has a reputation beyond reputeDeliriousClam has a reputation beyond reputeDeliriousClam has a reputation beyond reputeDeliriousClam has a reputation beyond reputeDeliriousClam has a reputation beyond reputeDeliriousClam has a reputation beyond reputeDeliriousClam has a reputation beyond reputeDeliriousClam has a reputation beyond reputeDeliriousClam has a reputation beyond reputeDeliriousClam has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Yeah RCA's are the first thing that come to my mind.
__________________
Stillen, AAM, Shine Auto, Fujimora, Swift, EVO-R, Carbon Fiber Element, Nitrous Outlet
MECP Advanced: CEA26671
Most of what I post here are artistic works of fiction and falsehood. Only a fool would take anything I post here as fact.
DeliriousClam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2016, 05:22 PM   #12 (permalink)
Premium Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Toronto
Posts: 105
Drives: 16 Nissan 370z MB M6
Rep Power: 9
TheMagZ is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RonRizz View Post
this doesn't make sense to me. Obviously it is a signal input issue, if you input your phone and it played ok, that rules out voltage issues, as well as incorrect input settings at amplifier (possibly) and speaker out connections. the absolute only other thing it can be is that it is not getting a signal through the rcas. did you check the voltage to see if signal was present??

Next question.. was this hooked up and working, and just died, or a new install.

next question... Did you try a DIFFERENT set of rcas from HU to amp?

next question.. Is amplifier gain turned completely down

It sounds like you have done the majority of the troubleshooting necessary. Next step is to remove all pieces from car and do bench testing.

This was a new install. Yea i tried two different sets of RCAs but still nothing...gain is set in the middle. I literally bought a new amp, amp kit and sub to try and still nothing...could it be a bad ground that causes this? Because i'm using the same ground.


Quote:
Originally Posted by bigaudiofanat View Post
What are the settings on your amp like? Where is the gain knob at? What is your crossover at? Is your rca's on the head unit plugged into the sub output?

Everything on the amp is how it comes from factory default. Yes, it's plugged into the sub output

Quote:
Originally Posted by DeliriousClam View Post
Yeah RCA's are the first thing that come to my mind.

Changed RCAs already



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
TheMagZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2016, 06:43 PM   #13 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
YzGyz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Houston
Posts: 1,449
Drives: 2010 Nismo
Rep Power: 62
YzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Didn't you say the thing played from another source? That would mean that the sub work, the amp works. To Mr, it is clearly a HU setting, orCA problem. You can plug anything into the cra of the amp and brass the Hu if you really think it's the amp. This will also single out the Hu so you will know if the problem is between the Hu and amp or amp and speaker.

YzGyz
YzGyz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2016, 06:43 PM   #14 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
YzGyz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Houston
Posts: 1,449
Drives: 2010 Nismo
Rep Power: 62
YzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond reputeYzGyz has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Didn't you say the thing played from another source? That would mean that the sub work, the amp works. To Mr, it is clearly a HU setting, orCA problem. You can plug anything into the cra of the amp and brass the Hu if you really think it's the amp. This will also single out the Hu so you will know if the problem is between the Hu and amp or amp and speaker.

YzGyz
YzGyz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2016, 06:46 PM   #15 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
RonRizz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Pine grove, Pa
Posts: 2,132
Drives: 2 feet, 3 pedals
Rep Power: 6774
RonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond reputeRonRizz has a reputation beyond repute
Default

this IS leaning more and more towards a head unit setting.
Still waiting to hear if you checked output voltage at the RCAs
__________________
P99rs Head Unit--- Amps- 2 Pioneer Prs800d --- Zapco ST1000MX---Zapco ST-4XSQ---- SI BM mk5 Subs---SI TM65v2 Midbass--- SI M3 mids--- SI M25 xbl2 tweeters ----- 2016 MECA street class 3rd place at world finals
RonRizz is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
WORK Emotion Wheels + Free WORK RS lugs ($150) ** Promo Start Now !!!! RavSpec Tires/Wheels 3 12-06-2014 12:51 AM
WORK Emotion 18" Staggered *** Free WORK RS Lug Nuts Promotion ($150 Value) RavSpec Tires/Wheels 2 10-17-2011 11:02 AM
WORK Emotion 18" Staggered (FREE WORK RS Lug Nuts Promotion - $150 Value) RavSpec Wheels & Tires 0 10-05-2011 03:38 PM
10” Subwoofer, Custom 350Z enclosure, Subwoofer Guard Rail - $150 my2004Z Parts for sale (Private Classifieds) 0 11-06-2010 11:59 AM
Free Work RS-Lug Nut Promotion w. Emotion Wheels & Work XC-8 Closeout Special! DriveLineEric Tires/Wheels 5 10-26-2010 03:29 PM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:00 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2