Why Amplifier goes into protect

mario.1786 · 10-07-2008, 01:23 AM

Hey, i just installed a new amplifier on my car, well actually this would be the second one that i installed, the reason i installed two is because the first one i installed, as soon as i turned it on it went into protect, so i returned it and got another one, but the second one did the same thing. my question is, What could be causing this problem???

**carsey** · 10-07-2008, 10:46 AM

Short on the wires (dont forget your speaker wires) or its overheating.

Volt-Schwibe · 10-07-2008, 12:22 PM

i agree with it possibly being a short, it could even be speakers that have too low of an ohm load. you'll need to get a meter, and check the wires you're connecting into the amp. you didn't mention if this is a 2 or 4 channel amp, or if you have it bridged or not, but, run a meter across the positive and negative wires that you are connecting to each channel, and see if the ohm load is within tolerances.

most medium range amps expect 4 ohms, whereas some high performance amps can handle going all the way down to a half ohm. (almost as low as a coathanger wire!)

if you could, please list the brand and model of the amp, as well as the brand and model numbers of the speakers, and explain the layout you're using to connect them.

**lcurle** · 10-20-2008, 11:51 AM

your ground is not secure. if you grounded down to an adjacent piece of metal, make sure to take some sand paper and sand it down to the bare metal to make a good contact for the ground.

10-07-2008, 01:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
mario.1786 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1 OS: vista	Why Amplifier goes into protect Hey, i just installed a new amplifier on my car, well actually this would be the second one that i installed, the reason i installed two is because the first one i installed, as soon as i turned it on it went into protect, so i returned it and got another one, but the second one did the same thing. my question is, What could be causing this problem???

10-07-2008, 10:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
carsey Moderator, TSF Articles Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Hunwick, Co. Durham England Posts: 10,693 OS: XP Pro SP3 My System	Re: Why Amplifier goes into protect Short on the wires (dont forget your speaker wires) or its overheating. __________________ Submit New Articles Here

10-07-2008, 12:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
Volt-Schwibe Asst. Manager, Automotive Forums; HJT Trainee Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Behind you, watching you as you type. Posts: 7,372 OS: Click "My System" to view details My System	Re: Why Amplifier goes into protect i agree with it possibly being a short, it could even be speakers that have too low of an ohm load. you'll need to get a meter, and check the wires you're connecting into the amp. you didn't mention if this is a 2 or 4 channel amp, or if you have it bridged or not, but, run a meter across the positive and negative wires that you are connecting to each channel, and see if the ohm load is within tolerances. most medium range amps expect 4 ohms, whereas some high performance amps can handle going all the way down to a half ohm. (almost as low as a coathanger wire!) if you could, please list the brand and model of the amp, as well as the brand and model numbers of the speakers, and explain the layout you're using to connect them. __________________ <signature> TSF is funded by our Admin's pocket, care to help? Power Tip: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. New Members: Creating a single new thread in the correct section is the best way to assure your thread will receive a reply. </signature>

10-20-2008, 11:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
lcurle TSF Gearhead (Audio) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Newton, Kansas Posts: 602 OS: Xp Pro SP3	Re: Why Amplifier goes into protect your ground is not secure. if you grounded down to an adjacent piece of metal, make sure to take some sand paper and sand it down to the bare metal to make a good contact for the ground. __________________ Lee - MECP Certified "Any advice given on this forum is intended for helping and assisting the end user with their issue at hand. Personal saftey is important when working on any vehicle."