<![CDATA[amp has power but no sound coming out of sub]]>As title says,

amp shows its receiving power, but there is no sound coming out of the sub.

I have a 120 watt amp connected to my sub (i know its rather small). Both are clarions (clarion can handle 750 peak). They have both worked before.

THe problem started occuring a week ago with my old battery not being able to sustain my ac and sub woofer. (or so i think). So i installed a new battery and bought a capacitor (1.6 farad). I installed the new battery today and still i receive no sound from the amp.

Footnotes:

I dont have an aftermarket HU
120 watt amp with sub
-gets power but no sound

I checked the fuse on the amp and its good, i also checked the fuse from the battery to amp, and its obviously good (or else i wouldnt be receiving power).

are there any other fuses i need to check?

]]>https://fargostreet.com/topic/15981/amp-has-power-but-no-sound-coming-out-of-subRSS for NodeWed, 27 May 2026 23:46:55 GMTTue, 30 Dec 2008 00:15:07 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to amp has power but no sound coming out of sub on Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:51:07 GMT]]>Chuck is a liar. I will sell you a 100 farad capacitor for the smoking deal of $100. 😄 jk, Chuck actually is right.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/242354https://fargostreet.com/post/242354Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:51:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to amp has power but no sound coming out of sub on Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:10:46 GMT]]>What I cant figure out is if the rca's were bad connection wise, how did that put the amp into protect mode? Not typically something that you would see as a result of bad rca's.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/242352https://fargostreet.com/post/242352Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:10:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to amp has power but no sound coming out of sub on Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:02:06 GMT]]>

theoblivious;253895 wrote:
fixed the problem...my rcas were kind of bent out of shape, so i got a newer one. Seems to fix the problem nicely. Also, is a capacitor necessary when running an aftermarket amp? Will the sound quality be significantly improved?

Thanks again for all your help.

Glad this was resolved.

As for the cap.....waste of money in every system on the planet....1000000% snake oil.

(and yes, i'm being serious when I say that)

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/242351https://fargostreet.com/post/242351Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:02:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to amp has power but no sound coming out of sub on Sat, 03 Jan 2009 17:43:24 GMT]]>

theoblivious;253895 wrote:
fixed the problem...my rcas were kind of bent out of shape, so i got a newer one. Seems to fix the problem nicely. Also, is a capacitor necessary when running an aftermarket amp? Will the sound quality be significantly improved?

Thanks again for all your help.

Your amp was pretty small right? Watt-age wise? I think you should be fine w/o one.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/242340https://fargostreet.com/post/242340Sat, 03 Jan 2009 17:43:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to amp has power but no sound coming out of sub on Sat, 03 Jan 2009 13:34:32 GMT]]>Unless its a big capacitor, It does no good. A 2nd battery is a better option. But neither one will help in actual sound quality. It's more for making sure the amp(s) never run too low on power.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/242328https://fargostreet.com/post/242328Sat, 03 Jan 2009 13:34:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to amp has power but no sound coming out of sub on Sat, 03 Jan 2009 08:35:35 GMT]]>fixed the problem...my rcas were kind of bent out of shape, so i got a newer one. Seems to fix the problem nicely. Also, is a capacitor necessary when running an aftermarket amp? Will the sound quality be significantly improved?

Thanks again for all your help.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/242320https://fargostreet.com/post/242320Sat, 03 Jan 2009 08:35:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to amp has power but no sound coming out of sub on Sat, 03 Jan 2009 04:23:34 GMT]]>blown sub or shorted wire (wires touching).

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/242308https://fargostreet.com/post/242308Sat, 03 Jan 2009 04:23:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to amp has power but no sound coming out of sub on Sat, 03 Jan 2009 02:11:42 GMT]]>Blown sub. 99% sure. Youll need to either measure the impedance of the sub or try another one to be sure.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/242302https://fargostreet.com/post/242302Sat, 03 Jan 2009 02:11:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to amp has power but no sound coming out of sub on Sat, 03 Jan 2009 02:06:01 GMT]]>bump

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/242300https://fargostreet.com/post/242300Sat, 03 Jan 2009 02:06:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to amp has power but no sound coming out of sub on Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:17:17 GMT]]>so i rewired everything on the audio side. (took out the wires from inside the sub, took out the wires connecting to the amp and the sub). I got the sub to turn on and play. however, when i turn up the volume up more than halfway, the sub cuts out and the amp goes into protection mode (red light turns on the amp).

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/242286https://fargostreet.com/post/242286Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:17:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to amp has power but no sound coming out of sub on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 06:57:06 GMT]]>

Trafik Jamz;253601 wrote:
No

Turns on w/ ignition...receives signal through speaker level inputs or line output converter

No....except maybe the fader being set wrong

Not applicable

Isn't that what 3 or 4 of us already suggested in some way shape or form? (though it is still good advice)

--Not familiar with his deck, or didn't know of many with preouts.
--Figured he was using a line out converter, and I'm not a big fan of them. Better off with a deck w/ preouts.
--I should of expanded on what I was trying to get at with the wires. What I meant was for him to check not only the wires, but look over the terminals too. You have the terminals on the box, that may have a lose wire, or a lose terminal on the sub itself.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/242096https://fargostreet.com/post/242096Wed, 31 Dec 2008 06:57:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to amp has power but no sound coming out of sub on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 02:36:01 GMT]]>actually it was last summer. i keep getting my summers confused.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/242085https://fargostreet.com/post/242085Wed, 31 Dec 2008 02:36:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to amp has power but no sound coming out of sub on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 02:31:52 GMT]]>Was it that long ago? Dang, thought it was last year sometime.

LMK if I can be of any further help

701.541.3484

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/242083https://fargostreet.com/post/242083Wed, 31 Dec 2008 02:31:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to amp has power but no sound coming out of sub on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:15:38 GMT]]>thanks for all the help, ill give this a shot when i can find another speaker. As for the amp, i believe i bought it from you 2 summers ago :(.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/242061https://fargostreet.com/post/242061Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:15:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to amp has power but no sound coming out of sub on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:10:21 GMT]]>

BlueSRT0483;253590 wrote:
Does your factory HU have RCA preouts?

No

How is the amp knowing how to play the music?

Turns on w/ ignition...receives signal through speaker level inputs or line output converter

Is there a function that turns off your preouts, or whatever is used to to turn off the amp?

No....except maybe the fader being set wrong

I know on my deck, I can turn my subwoofer off, but I don't believe it turns off the amp itself.. Just stops sending the singal to power the subwoofers.

Not applicable

Have you checked the wires on the inside of the speaker box, did any of them come loose?

Isn't that what 3 or 4 of us already suggested in some way shape or form? (though it is still good advice)

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/242026https://fargostreet.com/post/242026Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:10:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to amp has power but no sound coming out of sub on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 07:00:35 GMT]]>Does your factory HU have RCA preouts? How is the amp knowing how to play the music? Is there a function that turns off your preouts, or whatever is used to to turn off the amp? I know on my deck, I can turn my subwoofer off, but I don't believe it turns off the amp itself.. Just stops sending the singal to power the subwoofers.

Have you checked the wires on the inside of the speaker box, did any of them come loose?

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/242015https://fargostreet.com/post/242015Tue, 30 Dec 2008 07:00:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to amp has power but no sound coming out of sub on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:35:31 GMT]]>

XJHEAD;253585 wrote:
No it is working correctly

Sub or the wires feeding it

You don't know if you have a audio signal reaching the amp yet. Try the new speaker with wire first.

Chuck is there a easy way to see if a signal is getting to the amp without putting a new amp in?

Take a known good source and hook it up to the amplifier.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/242012https://fargostreet.com/post/242012Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:35:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to amp has power but no sound coming out of sub on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:17:56 GMT]]>

theoblivious;253583 wrote:
yes when i turn on the my HU, there is a blue light that turns on from the amp. Do i still need to jump the two wires?

No it is working correctly

theoblivious;253583 wrote:
I will get another speaker tomorrow from a friend and will test out if the sub is the problem.

If im understanding everything correctly:

  1. If another speaker works, then its an issue with the sub

Sub or the wires feeding it

theoblivious;253583 wrote:
2. if it doesnt work, then its an issue with the amp. Is there any way to determine what is wrong with the amp exactly? Sorry if i am being redundant.

Thanks for all your help

You don't know if you have a audio signal reaching the amp yet. Try the new speaker with wire first.

Chuck is there a easy way to see if a signal is getting to the amp without putting a new amp in?

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/242010https://fargostreet.com/post/242010Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:17:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to amp has power but no sound coming out of sub on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:05:11 GMT]]>I believe you bought that amp from me, correct? If so, I can try and get it fixed (under warranty if it hasn't been over a year or so)

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/242009https://fargostreet.com/post/242009Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:05:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to amp has power but no sound coming out of sub on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:01:26 GMT]]>yes when i turn on the my HU, there is a blue light that turns on from the amp. Do i still need to jump the two wires?

I will get another speaker tomorrow from a friend and will test out if the sub is the problem.

If im understanding everything correctly:

  1. If another speaker works, then its an issue with the sub

  2. if it doesnt work, then its an issue with the amp. Is there any way to determine what is wrong with the amp exactly? Sorry if i am being redundant.

Thanks for all your help

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/242008https://fargostreet.com/post/242008Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:01:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to amp has power but no sound coming out of sub on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 04:43:40 GMT]]>Just re-read your orig. post. You state the amp is getting power. Is there a light on it that turns on when you turn on the H/U? If the light turns on when you turn on H/U then it is not the remote wire. The H/U sends 12 volts via the remote wire to tell the amp to turn on. If power is not being sent on that wire the amp won't turn on. That is why I said just jumper a wire from amp feed to the remote connection to see if it would work. If that is the case then the remote feed wire is the problem. Have you tried the other suggestions?

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/242005https://fargostreet.com/post/242005Tue, 30 Dec 2008 04:43:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to amp has power but no sound coming out of sub on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 04:36:13 GMT]]>

weshole;253551 wrote:
If it does, then it has to either be your subwoofer itself or a wire going to it. Either in the enclosure itself or to the enclosure.

Trafik Jamz;253570 wrote:
Double check to make sure that somehow the speaker wire hasn't come loose on the sub as that would cause the no output possibility as well.

Ya, what we said.

Like I said in my first post , process of elimination. all of which will take 10 minutes to test all.... MAX. Do it all in that order.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/242004https://fargostreet.com/post/242004Tue, 30 Dec 2008 04:36:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to amp has power but no sound coming out of sub on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 03:48:02 GMT]]>Aside from what Wes/Bill have suggested:

have you messed with the fader on the deck? If so, make sure that there is signal going to whichever set of speaker outputs is providing signal to the deck.

Double check to make sure that somehow the speaker wire hasn't come loose on the sub as that would cause the no output possibility as well.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/241995https://fargostreet.com/post/241995Tue, 30 Dec 2008 03:48:02 GMT