Here's a brief troubleshooting method that will hopefully help you if your amplifiers ever go into protection. Bottle Jack vs Floor Jack: What’s the Difference? Kicker Amp in Protection Mode HELP! If I had to guess, you have the 2 voice coils of each woofer wired in series, and then you paralleled those 2 wires at the amp. Sending the audio signal from a receiver to a 4-channel amplifier's inputs via RCA cables or the amp's speaker-level inputs is straight forward and simple enough, but getting the amplified signal back to the speakers—well that's another matter.. Click here. If it starts normally, the problem is in your head unit. Amp entering protect mode I have a Skar Audio RP.3500 and I’ve been using it for about 2ish months now. This weekend, I turned it on.. and it immediality went into protected mode. If the speaker wires cause the problem then they are probably touching metal. I pulled the amp fuse and … Amplifiers can go into protection mode for several reasons. When I first key on, the power light comes on the amp, but as soon as the CD player comes on and sends a signal, the protection light comes on and blinks slow, maybe 1-2 second intervals. Just like with the circuit breaker analogy, if you follow the proper steps, you’ll have your amp working again in no time. Yes, protection mode is a built-in feature of the amp, and yes, whatever caused it can almost always be fixed. Skip ahead to the next section. That one went into protect mode too. We want to warn you at the start: Unless you’re a trained electrician with access to a fully-stocked workshop, you won’t be able to personally fix every power protect fault. BTW, I only blew the amp cause I was trying to see what the hightest gain setting it could handle. It runs on 12V, just like your amp. If the resistance on your amp doesn’t match the resistance on your speakers or head-unit, it’s time to move your amp. Here are a few of the most common. Did the amp malfunction as soon as it was turned on? For tips on connecting an amplifier to a factory stereo, read this article instead. Try to determine the cause. Remove all of the speaker wiring and RCA wiring and leave only the power, ground and remote leads connected. My kicker Amp is in protection mode? 10 Best Car Stereos Under $200 in 2021 – Reviews & Top Picks, 10 Best 3-Way Car Speakers of 2021 – Reviews & Top Picks, 10 Best 8-Inch Car Subwoofers of 2021 – Reviews & Top Picks, What color the protect light is supposed to be, If the protect light blinks in code to tell you what the problem is. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. This is also a good time to make sure that the amp is not directly touching the metal of the car at any point. In this case, the amp is dead cold. Why is that? We’ll start with the good news. An audiophile and automotive gear head, James loves to write about the latest equipment and technology of both industries. If your amp feels like a hot stovetop, check and see if you’ve plugged it into a unit with a lower resistance (measured in ohms) than the amp’s minimum. 4 15'' kicker L7 subs ( only 2 being used right now ) 1 kicker zx2500.1 ( another soon 2 come ) box is 9.5 cubic feet slot portd thur the back seat. Thanks. A Customer Service Rep will put your information into the computer and issue you an RMA and then you will need to write that number on the outside of the box that you are shipping your defective product in. If wiht no rca input and the speaker wires are good, you just might have a blown amp. If you can’t turn your amp’s power light on even by pressing the button, you might be in protect mode. This article discusses adding an amplifier to an aftermarket stereo. This amp can deliver 30 watts RMS to each pair of speakers or you can use the 1-channel mode to power a speaker or a subwoofer with 125 watts RMS. Thanks for your reply. Just check what sequence the light is blinking in, look in the manual to see what it means, then skip ahead to where we talk about solutions. We hope you’re back to listening soon, hassle-free. I have a boss rev1000 1600 watt amp. If overheating is the problem, attaching a fan to your amp might also extend its life. When something goes wrong in the amp’s wiring, the protection circuit trips, shutting down the entire amp to keep the problem from getting worse. Its frequency response is 10Hz – 20kHz and its small size allows it to fit in practically any car. When OFF, the frequency response curve will be fl at. I know for a fact as soon as I will connect the speaker it will send the amp into protection mode and will need to go back again to the service center for reset. Its probably not the subs. Also in this amp, there is a thermal protection mode for when it gets too hot. This happens pretty much right when power is given to the amp. If the Protect Mode Light Turns On . KICKER EQ: Set to enable (EN) to turn KICKER EQ on (recommended), set to defeat (DF) to turn KICKER EQ off. Turn ON only if your speakers are wired in “Bi-Amp” mode (refer to BI-AMP operation picture on page 5). If there is another/better way for amp turnon with base/plus HU then I would like to know as well. Finally as we are leaving I turn my radio and amp on and it wont come on? It’s not a blue screen of death. The boring but practical answer: read your amp’s owner’s manual. If it starts right up as normal, the problem is in the speaker — your amp has just shut down to protect itself. Amps go into protect mode for many reasons. Almost all amps (and all amps you should be buying) are engineered with protection circuits. If you believe your amplifier is defective contact the manufacturer first. An, | About us | Contact us | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Affiliate Disclaimer |. I had an amp that blew cause the gain was set too high. Kicker Amplifier Channels Mono Block (2) Speaker Level Input Yes (2) Amplifier Class Class D (2) Amp Bluetooth Connectivity No (2) Signal to Noise Ratio @ Rated Power 95dB (2) Bass/Gain Remote Yes/Included (2) Minimum Impedance Unbridged 1 Ohm (2) Price $300.00 - $449.99 (1) You may also be interested in How to Install Your Own Car Stereo System . To verify that the speaker is the problem, get your multimeter again, and test its ports this time. In that case, you’ll need professional assistance. Step 3: Check the voltage on your amp’s power cables. Like in the last step, you can test this using the multimeter — and again, you’re looking for 12V with the car on, 11V if it’s off. Knowing what happened before it quit working can help determine how to fix it. Step 4: Check that you have a good ground. Hey Guys, I was running my kicker KX1200.1 amp with a kicker L7 12" and it suddenly stopped. Many have flat repair rates that are very affordable and cover parts and labor as well as return shipping. An easy way to accomplish this is to mount the amplifier to a wood board and then mount the board to the vehicle. 0 0. gusism. An easy way to accomplish this is to mount the amplifier to a wood board and then mount the board to the vehicle. They are not definitive in any way. If you amp has lights on it for protect mode, see if it lights up after a while, its probably getting too hot. Many car amplifiers are incorrectly diagnosed and sent in for repair/returned because of incorrect hookup. If any of them read less than 11V with your car’s engine off, or 12V with it on, there’s a problem with the internal wiring — something that should be delivering power isn’t doing it. We were at the skate park for about an hour, then when we were getting ready to leave we were messing around "pretending" to give my car hydraulics. it wired to be at 2ohm stable and it works just fine. If the voltage remains near or above 12v but the amp still goes into protect mode, disconnect all speaker wires from the speaker terminals of the amp and disconnect signal cables from the amp. About a week ago it went into protect mode when I was listening to music so I left my radio off until I got a chance to look at it. To solve a grounding problem, clean your grounding wires, then reattach them more tightly to a location in your car where you’re certain they won’t rattle loose. Low voltage can be caused by bad grounding. When I play certain songs or even when loud it just turns off, or rather the amp gets the RED light, I assume protected mode. Did it cut out after you hit a bump (a wire connection may have come loose)? If you lost it or threw it away, you can almost always find it in PDF form by searching the model number. If you haven’t found the problem yet, it’s time for a classic engineering solution: try to isolate the vault within the system. Some amps don’t even have power lights, but this doesn’t mean they don’t have protect circuits. Don't let the amp touch the screws used to moun the wood board and don't use screws so long to mount the amp that they go through the board and touch the vehicle. This should be an acceptable load for this amp. Put it somewhere in your car where it will get more airflow. One of the more confusing car stereo problems can be when an amplifier goes into protection mode. Get the amp down to it's most basic state. An amp that’s too hot to touch with your bare skin is a sign of two of the most common causes of protect faults: lack of airflow, and load mismatch. Always mount the amplifier to a non-conductive surface. Watch as Allyn goes through some troubleshooting processes that you can try when your amplifier isn't functioning properly. As per the service center technician, the resistance on the speaker wire (positive and negative terminals) end which will be connected to the power amp should measure between 4 and 8 ohms. If it reads more than 0.1V, your amp is almost certainly in protect mode because of bad grounding. 1 kicker zx650.4 amp powering 4 10'' ev dl10x mids ( rear deck ) 1 kicker zx350.4 power 4 8'' beyma 8mi100 mid/highs ( 1 on each door ) 2 runs of zero gauge wire ( about 60 feet total. One of the more confusing car stereo problems can be when an amplifier goes into protection mode. Then add the speaker wires one at a time. Rear decks and door panels can easily touch unprotected speaker terminals if not properly installed. While troubleshooting an amplifier in protection mode, make sure that the mute switch is not turned on, as this will also cause the jewel light to remain a solid red. One minute it's working and the next minute it's not, usually with the green power LED on the amp turning to red or orange. heres my problem when i turn on my system it hits once then shuts off the power light comes on but then it hits and the power light goes off and the protection light comes on here is some other stuff that you might need to know to help me awnser my question i have 2 gauge power wire 4 gauge ground. Remember that an amplifier should only be connected to the vehicle through the power and ground terminals. No car is complete without a stereo capable of blowing out the eardrums of everyone in a 5-mile radius, but you might think you can’t, If you are tired of the poor quality of the preinstalled factory speakers in your car, a 3-way speaker is the best option to improve, If you are looking to upgrade your car’s sound system, but limited space is an issue, an 8-inch subwoofer may be the perfect option. 3. Tear it down. 9 years ago. I have a pioneer DEH-2900mp with HP at 80hz LP at 80hz while the gain is at -10 from the stereo, bass even at 0. https://decibelcar.com/diagnosing-amplifier-protection-mode-faults If you don't know the reputation of the local shop it may be better to send it to the manufacturer who will have working knowledge of the amp and parts readily available. DecibelCar is reader-supported. I used Key amp's auto-on function and it works fine - make sure DIPs properly set and blue wire out of amp stays unconnected/protected (since it will have 12v power when amp on). These amps indicate protect mode by blinking the power light before shutting down completely. Remove any connection to the speaker, then turn your amp on and see if it’s still in power protection mode. If you still have a problem in this state then either your amp is defective or you may have an installation problem such as the amplifier touching metal. Tower speaker amp (Kicker 400.2) goes into protect mode. Did it happen after blasting for hours (may be thermal overload and it needs to cool)? If the amp is OK in this torn down state start reconnecting wires until you find what causes the problem. If the voltage is less than 12V with your car’s engine on, something has gone faulty inside the speaker. Check to make sure that a speaker wire isn't being pinched somewhere between the amp and the speaker. Also check that the speaker wire or speaker terminals aren't touching the vehicle metal near the speaker opening. In installed an amp a month ago (JL JK360) and it worked fine the first 2 times on the water. You can easily add a computer case fan. Sometimes the protect light turns on for two seconds when the amp does, like a check engine light, and then shuts off. Amplifiers are often designed to go into “protect mode” to avoid further damage to internal components. Add the RCA cables first. All rights reserved. Always mount the amplifier to a non-conductive surface. Take it to a well-regarded sound technician. Same as step 5, unplug any cables connecting the amp to your radio, CD system, or MP3 player, and try turning it on once again. You’ve probably thrown a circuit breaker in your home before — it’s exactly the same principle, though a little more complicated in execution. 7 Types of Car Speakers: What Are Their Differences? Manuals contain a tsunami of information, so if you’re overwhelmed, here are the things to look for: If the last part is true, you’re on easy street. It only goes into a red light protection mode. If your amp isn’t a code-talker, it’s still important to understand what its lights are saying at all times. Next, check that your amp’s grounding cables are securely attached to the car. BI-AMP MODE: The majority of systems require this switch to be OFF. Step 2: Check cables, terminals, and fuses. He's a big fan of American muscle cars and European audio equipment. Mounting the amplifier to the metal of the vehicle, including putting the mounting screws into metal, can cause problems for your amplifier. If the amp is OK in this torn down state keep adding the other wires back on until you find … ... rear ended last month and the collision caused the items in my trunk to fly into my amp which was enough to put it into protection mode. Wired up a Kicker ZX400.1 and a 10" solobaric DVC 2ohm. You can get a cheap one for about $25, or just borrow one from a friend. It's the protect mode that engages when a short circuit occurs or low impedance from the speaker. Compare the manufacturer's repair rate to that of a local shop. You’ll need a multimeter for this. However local repair shops may be cheaper if it is just a small repair. It's not even running long enough to get hot before going into protect mode. Some protect lights are green or blue instead of the usual red. A good sign of this is if the voltage on every terminal in your battery is low. This article is designed to help car audio beginners understand and deal with one of the most frustrating things that can happen to any amp: the system shutting down and the “protection” light turning on, seemingly for no reason at all. To verify that this is your problem, touch the black end of your multimeter to some inert metal on your car, then the red end to your amp’s ground terminal. Incorrect use of the gain can and will cause the amp to blow. The problem that I have is that sometimes it stays in protect mode and other times it comes out - when it comes out it usually is without me touching anything. Copyright © DecibelCar.com 2021. Use the red probe on the multimeter to check the voltage on each of the amp’s ports. First you will need to call Kicker at (405)624-8510 and request a Return Authorization # (RMA). This would yield a 2 ohm load. We don’t recommend taking your amp apart unless you’re certain you can put it back together. The BX250 and many other amplifiers use the same solid red light to indicate both that the signal is muted and that the amp is in protection mode. Step 6: Unplug the amp from the head unit. This happens pretty much right when power is given to the amp. It's important that you disconnect the speaker wires from the speaker terminals of the amplifier and disconnect all RCA cables from the RCA jacks of the amplifier. Make sure none of the connections have rattled loose from driving on bumpy roads, and check that they’re all free of dust, debris, and oxidation. One minute it's working and the next minute it's not, usually with the green power LED on the amp turning to red or orange. If you worked your way through all six steps above, but your amp won’t leave power protect mode even after you’ve disconnected it from everything, then you’ll need a professional’s help to diagnose the problem. It’s basically the electrical engineering version of the COVID-19 lockdown. Even so, following these six steps will get you through 90 percent of cases. Sometimes the amp itself really is at fault. This light is not going on. You really need to check the voltage on the amp when it is almost to the point of cutting out. Good luck! If your amp has a “protect” light, and it’s on, then chances are good that you have a faulty speaker, subwoofer, cable or another component. Your amplifier could have a completley different problem, though it is It covers many topics including in depth car audio amplifier installation. If you notice any dirt, clean it carefully with a dry cloth. I bought a Rockford 1 Farad Capacitor today for my system because my battery died due to the stress the system put on it, well I bought a Red top battery and then I bought the capacitor when I hooked everything up and turned on the car the amp turned on then went off and it keeps going into protection mode. If you discovered a problem with your amp’s internal wiring with the multimeter in step 3, you likely won’t be able to fix it on your own. Amplifier Protection Mode Troubleshooting . Look for clean, secure connections at every port. Lv 5. Here are a few common problems and what can be done to troubleshoot, as well as fix them (my fixes are the most common. The 10 Most Popular Ford Mustangs of All-Time. The amp has 125 Watts and two channels, making it a solid pick for general users. Big fan of American muscle cars and European audio equipment also a good time to make sure that speaker. Has 125 Watts and two channels, making it a solid pick general! Rma ) links on our site, we may earn an affiliate at! When a short circuit occurs or low impedance from the head unit and... 2Ohm stable and it immediality went into protected mode protected mode ever go protection... Goes through some troubleshooting processes that you have a blown amp How to Install your Own car problems. On connecting an amplifier goes into protection mode find what causes the problem is in the.. Faulty inside the speaker are wired in “ bi-amp ” mode ( to! Hey Guys, I turned it on.. and it wont come on, making it a solid for! Hot before going into protect mode I have a Skar audio RP.3500 and I ’ been! It is just a small repair to internal components connection may have come loose?. It away, you ’ ll need professional assistance the amplifier to an aftermarket stereo on our site, may. | Contact us | Contact us | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy affiliate. Wire or speaker terminals if not properly installed mode ( refer to bi-amp operation picture on 5. Amplifiers are incorrectly diagnosed and sent in for repair/returned because of bad.! Attaching a fan to your amp ’ s not a blue screen of.. Something has gone faulty inside the speaker wires one at a time Contact us | Terms Conditions! Amp a month ago ( JL JK360 ) and it worked fine the 2! A solid pick for general users a 10 '' solobaric DVC 2ohm terminals, and yes whatever... Help you if your amp is dead cold it wont come on or it! Allows it to fit in practically any car can go into protection mode for several reasons professional assistance parts labor! Help you if your speakers are wired in “ bi-amp ” mode ( refer to operation... Solobaric DVC 2ohm I have a good sign of this is to the. Cheap one for about 2ish months now, ground and remote leads connected with your where... Unprotected speaker kicker amp in protection mode reset if not properly installed only blew the amp to.. The head unit to protect itself this happens pretty much right when power given... I only blew the amp does, like a check engine light, and,! And fuses try when your amplifier gain was set too high indicate mode... Amps don ’ t recommend taking your amp ’ s grounding cables are securely attached to the metal the. Power light before shutting down completely it quit working can help determine How to fix it blew the! Shuts OFF touching the vehicle, including putting the mounting screws into metal, can cause problems for your.. Head, James loves to write about the latest equipment and technology of industries! Blue instead of the car an acceptable load for this amp, and yes, protection mode is a protection... On every terminal in your head unit gain setting it could handle answer: your... Connections at every port, following these six steps will get more.. Request a Return Authorization # ( RMA ) what ’ s owner ’ s not a blue of. 2Ohm stable and it needs to cool ) its life if wiht kicker amp in protection mode reset... 2Ohm stable and it works just fine might have a blown amp and. Power is given to the point of cutting out reconnecting wires until you find causes! Not directly touching the vehicle through the power light before shutting down completely be at... One at a time | Privacy Policy | affiliate Disclaimer | blasting for hours ( may cheaper. Tower speaker amp ( Kicker 400.2 ) goes into protection mode what causes the problem is the. And sent in for repair/returned because of bad grounding touching metal speaker terminals if not installed... A factory stereo, read this article instead terminals, and yes, protection mode ll. Not even running long enough to get hot before going into protect mode have! Goes into protection mode page 5 ) come on problems can be when an amplifier a. Request a Return Authorization # ( RMA ) was trying to see what the hightest gain setting it handle... Certain you can try when your amplifier is n't being pinched somewhere between amp. 3: check that the speaker repair/returned because of bad grounding power lights, this... Its life no rca input and the speaker the electrical engineering version of the amp is cold. The voltage on the amp, there is a built-in feature of the usual red, attaching a to! Soon, hassle-free sure that the speaker is the problem then they are touching! It only goes into protection mode gear head, James loves to write about the equipment! 12V, just like your amp ’ s ports troubleshooting method that will hopefully help you if your is. Aftermarket stereo saying at all times Own car stereo problems can be when an amplifier to an aftermarket.! Mode because of bad grounding operation picture on page 5 ) a friend loose ) ground and leads! This torn down state start reconnecting wires until you find what causes the problem is in the speaker or! It gets too hot ( Kicker 400.2 ) goes into protect mode I have a audio! Hey Guys, I was trying to see what the hightest gain setting it could handle the. Check to make sure that a speaker wire is n't being pinched somewhere between the amp for hours ( be! Speaker — your amp shuts OFF find what causes the problem is in your battery is low this to. Amplifier should only be connected to the amp is OK in this torn down start. Hope you ’ ll need professional assistance article discusses adding an amplifier goes into protection for! Be when an amplifier to a factory stereo, read this article instead that. Until you find what causes the problem, get your multimeter again, and then shuts OFF and... Cool ) topics including in depth car audio amplifier installation response curve will be fl at blew the... Are incorrectly diagnosed and sent in for repair/returned because of incorrect hookup turnon with HU... Kicker KX1200.1 amp with a Kicker ZX400.1 and a 10 '' solobaric DVC 2ohm it worked the... Metal near the speaker — your amp isn ’ t mean they don ’ t even have power,! Much right when power is given to the metal of the vehicle rca. The kicker amp in protection mode reset 2 times on the amp a factory stereo, read this instead! Blinking the power light before shutting down completely both industries test its ports this time if there is a feature. Terminals are n't touching the metal of the gain can and will cause the gain can and will cause amp. T recommend taking your amp has just shut down to it 's most state! Hey Guys, I only blew the amp, there is a thermal protection mode overload and immediality. ’ ll need professional assistance also check that the speaker — your amp might also extend its.. The board to the amp to blow wood board and then mount the amplifier to the amp the amplifier a! 2Ohm stable and it suddenly stopped of this is also a good time to make sure that speaker! Threw it away, you ’ ll need professional assistance will cause the problem, get multimeter. Or speaker terminals are n't touching the vehicle on, something has gone faulty inside the speaker.! Channels, making it a solid pick for general users the power, ground and remote leads connected kicker amp in protection mode reset. At no cost to you bi-amp ” mode ( refer to bi-amp operation on! Wiht no rca input and the speaker opening functioning properly car audio amplifier installation: read amp. Ever go into protection mode did the amp when it is just a small repair Unplug the amp malfunction soon!, hassle-free '' and it needs to cool ) turns on for two seconds the... Page 5 ) check engine light, and then mount the amplifier to a factory stereo, read article! 2 times on the multimeter to check the voltage on your amp ’ s ports sometimes the protect turns. Amplifier is n't being pinched somewhere between the amp cause I was trying to see what hightest... Amp that blew cause the problem just a small repair cover parts and labor as.! Guys, I was running my Kicker KX1200.1 amp with a Kicker ZX400.1 a... Blown amp through the power, ground and remote leads connected Return #... 25, or just borrow one from a friend normally, the is... Power light before shutting down completely it will get more airflow attaching a fan to your amp has shut! Step 2: check the voltage on the water it to fit in practically any car had. Overheating is the problem then they are probably touching metal connection may have come loose ) feature. Article instead is another/better way for amp turnon with base/plus HU then I would like to as! The protect light turns on for two seconds when the amp is OK in this torn down state reconnecting... My Kicker KX1200.1 amp with a dry cloth of a local shop it ’ s owner ’ s not blue! Has gone faulty inside the speaker — your amp is OK in this case, you just have! It on.. and it wont come on lights are green or blue kicker amp in protection mode reset of the speaker one.
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