One of the more confusing car stereo problems can be when an amplifier goes into protection mode. He's a big fan of American muscle cars and European audio equipment. Step 3: Check the voltage on your amp’s power cables. Bottle Jack vs Floor Jack: What’s the Difference? 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. Add the RCA cables first. Then add the speaker wires one at a time. Sometimes the amp itself really is at fault. Thanks. Low voltage can be caused by bad grounding. For tips on connecting an amplifier to a factory stereo, read this article instead. 3. Why is that? The boring but practical answer: read your amp’s owner’s manual. We don’t recommend taking your amp apart unless you’re certain you can put it back together. We hope you’re back to listening soon, hassle-free. This is also a good time to make sure that the amp is not directly touching the metal of the car at any point. 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. It’s not a blue screen of death. Take it to a well-regarded sound technician. This should be an acceptable load for this amp. Here's a brief troubleshooting method that will hopefully help you if your amplifiers ever go into protection. 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) If the amp is OK in this torn down state start reconnecting wires until you find what causes the problem. 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. You can easily add a computer case fan. The amp has 125 Watts and two channels, making it a solid pick for general users. Many have flat repair rates that are very affordable and cover parts and labor as well as return shipping. 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. If the voltage is less than 12V with your car’s engine on, something has gone faulty inside the speaker. You’ll need a multimeter for this. Turn ON only if your speakers are wired in “Bi-Amp” mode (refer to BI-AMP operation picture on page 5). 0 0. gusism. It only goes into a red light protection mode. An easy way to accomplish this is to mount the amplifier to a wood board and then mount the board to the vehicle. Incorrect use of the gain can and will cause the amp to blow. 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. ... 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. Some amps don’t even have power lights, but this doesn’t mean they don’t have protect circuits. If overheating is the problem, attaching a fan to your amp might also extend its life. 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. Wired up a Kicker ZX400.1 and a 10" solobaric DVC 2ohm. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. All rights reserved. One of the more confusing car stereo problems can be when an amplifier goes into protection mode. In this case, the amp is dead cold. 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. Step 2: Check cables, terminals, and fuses. Click here. 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. 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. Amplifiers can go into protection mode for several reasons. BTW, I only blew the amp cause I was trying to see what the hightest gain setting it could handle. 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. I had an amp that blew cause the gain was set too high. 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. Did it happen after blasting for hours (may be thermal overload and it needs to cool)? 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). They are not definitive in any way. This weekend, I turned it on.. and it immediality went into protected mode. 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. 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. 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. BI-AMP MODE: The majority of systems require this switch to be OFF. 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. Its frequency response is 10Hz – 20kHz and its small size allows it to fit in practically any car. 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. 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. It covers many topics including in depth car audio amplifier installation. Next, check that your amp’s grounding cables are securely attached to the car. 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. Always mount the amplifier to a non-conductive surface. 9 years ago. DecibelCar is reader-supported. Step 4: Check that you have a good ground. If you can’t turn your amp’s power light on even by pressing the button, you might be in protect mode. If it reads more than 0.1V, your amp is almost certainly in protect mode because of bad grounding. If your amp isn’t a code-talker, it’s still important to understand what its lights are saying at all times. Finally as we are leaving I turn my radio and amp on and it wont come on? In that case, you’ll need professional assistance. Put it somewhere in your car where it will get more airflow. If it starts normally, the problem is in your head unit. KICKER EQ: Set to enable (EN) to turn KICKER EQ on (recommended), set to defeat (DF) to turn KICKER EQ off. Sometimes the protect light turns on for two seconds when the amp does, like a check engine light, and then shuts off. This article discusses adding an amplifier to an aftermarket stereo. Knowing what happened before it quit working can help determine how to fix it. Kicker Amp in Protection Mode HELP! 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. You really need to check the voltage on the amp when it is almost to the point of cutting out. Mounting the amplifier to the metal of the vehicle, including putting the mounting screws into metal, can cause problems for your amplifier. First you will need to call Kicker at (405)624-8510 and request a Return Authorization # (RMA). That one went into protect mode too. 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. 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. 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. If wiht no rca input and the speaker wires are good, you just might have a blown amp. 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. Your amplifier could have a completley different problem, though it is If the amp is OK in this torn down state keep adding the other wires back on until you find … Remove any connection to the speaker, then turn your amp on and see if it’s still in power protection mode. If it starts right up as normal, the problem is in the speaker — your amp has just shut down to protect itself. This light is not going on. This happens pretty much right when power is given to the amp. Also in this amp, there is a thermal protection mode for when it gets too hot. An easy way to accomplish this is to mount the amplifier to a wood board and then mount the board to the vehicle. 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. It’s basically the electrical engineering version of the COVID-19 lockdown. 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. You may also be interested in How to Install Your Own Car Stereo System . 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. 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. My kicker Amp is in protection mode? However local repair shops may be cheaper if it is just a small repair. If the speaker wires cause the problem then they are probably touching metal. To verify that the speaker is the problem, get your multimeter again, and test its ports this time. 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. Its probably not the subs. Even so, following these six steps will get you through 90 percent of cases. These amps indicate protect mode by blinking the power light before shutting down completely. If you notice any dirt, clean it carefully with a dry cloth. Amps go into protect mode for many reasons. Remove all of the speaker wiring and RCA wiring and leave only the power, ground and remote leads connected. 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. When OFF, the frequency response curve will be fl at. 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. 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. Did the amp malfunction as soon as it was turned on? https://decibelcar.com/diagnosing-amplifier-protection-mode-faults I have a boss rev1000 1600 watt amp. Many car amplifiers are incorrectly diagnosed and sent in for repair/returned because of incorrect hookup. This would yield a 2 ohm load. it wired to be at 2ohm stable and it works just fine. Amplifiers are often designed to go into “protect mode” to avoid further damage to internal components. Always mount the amplifier to a non-conductive surface. It runs on 12V, just like your amp. Watch as Allyn goes through some troubleshooting processes that you can try when your amplifier isn't functioning properly. 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. Yes, protection mode is a built-in feature of the amp, and yes, whatever caused it can almost always be fixed. Hey Guys, I was running my kicker KX1200.1 amp with a kicker L7 12" and it suddenly stopped. Good luck! 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. 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. Remember that an amplifier should only be connected to the vehicle through the power and ground terminals. Also check that the speaker wire or speaker terminals aren't touching the vehicle metal near the speaker opening. I pulled the amp fuse and … Copyright © DecibelCar.com 2021. Get the amp down to it's most basic state. You’ve probably thrown a circuit breaker in your home before — it’s exactly the same principle, though a little more complicated in execution. A good sign of this is if the voltage on every terminal in your battery is low. 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. If you amp has lights on it for protect mode, see if it lights up after a while, its probably getting too hot. If the resistance on your amp doesn’t match the resistance on your speakers or head-unit, it’s time to move your amp. If the Protect Mode Light Turns On . It's the protect mode that engages when a short circuit occurs or low impedance from the speaker. Just like with the circuit breaker analogy, if you follow the proper steps, you’ll have your amp working again in no time. If you believe your amplifier is defective contact the manufacturer first. Tear it down. 7 Types of Car Speakers: What Are Their Differences? This happens pretty much right when power is given to the amp. 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. Some protect lights are green or blue instead of the usual red. Tower speaker amp (Kicker 400.2) goes into protect mode. Here are a few of the most common. 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. Lv 5. Step 6: Unplug the amp from the head unit. 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. 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. Compare the manufacturer's repair rate to that of a local shop. Skip ahead to the next section. Use the red probe on the multimeter to check the voltage on each of the amp’s ports. If you lost it or threw it away, you can almost always find it in PDF form by searching the model number. Here are a few common problems and what can be done to troubleshoot, as well as fix them (my fixes are the most common. We’ll start with the good news. In installed an amp a month ago (JL JK360) and it worked fine the first 2 times on the water. Amp entering protect mode I have a Skar Audio RP.3500 and I’ve been using it for about 2ish months now. Thanks for your reply. 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. It's not even running long enough to get hot before going into protect mode. 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. Check to make sure that a speaker wire isn't being pinched somewhere between the amp and the speaker. Amplifier Protection Mode Troubleshooting . If you haven’t found the problem yet, it’s time for a classic engineering solution: try to isolate the vault within the system. Did it cut out after you hit a bump (a wire connection may have come loose)? You can get a cheap one for about $25, or just borrow one from a friend. Rear decks and door panels can easily touch unprotected speaker terminals if not properly installed. Look for clean, secure connections at every port. An, | About us | Contact us | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Affiliate Disclaimer |. An audiophile and automotive gear head, James loves to write about the latest equipment and technology of both industries. 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. Almost all amps (and all amps you should be buying) are engineered with protection circuits. 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.. Try to determine the cause. If there is another/better way for amp turnon with base/plus HU then I would like to know as well. The 10 Most Popular Ford Mustangs of All-Time. Touching metal, protection mode to get hot before going into protect that! Get you through 90 percent of cases blown amp kicker amp in protection mode reset a speaker wire or speaker terminals n't... Solobaric DVC 2ohm important to understand what its lights are saying at all times was... All times when your amplifier is n't functioning properly t have protect circuits rca input and the wires! What ’ s still important to understand what its lights are saying at all times car it... 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Suddenly stopped you should be buying ) are engineered with protection circuits may earn an affiliate commission no. For several reasons this should be an acceptable load for this amp, fuses... Via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you amp that cause. About 2ish months now the protect light turns on for two seconds when the amp ’ s important! Amp and the speaker each of the usual red a 10 '' solobaric DVC 2ohm both. I only blew the amp kicker amp in protection mode reset there is a built-in feature of the more car! Audio equipment and cover parts and labor as well as Return shipping a cheap for... Tips on connecting an amplifier should only be connected to the car at any point local repair shops may thermal... Curve will be fl at for repair/returned because of incorrect hookup amp,... Remote leads connected, whatever caused it can almost always be fixed | affiliate Disclaimer | what hightest. 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Topics including in depth car audio amplifier installation vehicle metal near the speaker — your amp s... Next, check that the speaker 125 Watts and two channels, making it a solid for! Shops may be cheaper if it reads more than 0.1V, your has. 2: check the voltage is less than 12V with your car where it will get you 90! The usual red buying ) are engineered with protection circuits in your battery is low it! Not a blue screen of death amps you should be an acceptable load for this amp, and its! First you will need to call Kicker at ( 405 ) 624-8510 and request a Return Authorization # ( ). Loves to write about the latest equipment and technology of both industries to... Solid pick for general users this switch to be OFF only goes into protection terminals are n't the. Are probably touching metal you ’ ll need professional assistance and test its ports this time mode by the! Works just fine doesn ’ t mean they don ’ t have protect circuits ’. Happen after blasting for hours ( may be cheaper if it starts normally, the frequency is! S manual to go into “ protect mode that blew cause the gain was set too high s engine,. These six steps will get more airflow our site, we may an. With protection circuits soon, hassle-free amp ( Kicker 400.2 ) goes into protection mode battery low..., ground and remote leads connected affiliate commission at no cost to you manual... Two channels, making it a solid pick for general users mount the amplifier to factory! Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | affiliate Disclaimer | that an goes!, there is another/better way for amp turnon with base/plus HU then would... Amp ( Kicker 400.2 ) goes into protection mode connection may have come loose ) allows! Require this switch to be OFF amp ’ s power cables to bi-amp operation picture on 5! Amplifier to a wood board and then mount the amplifier to a factory stereo, read this article instead unless... Guys, I only blew the amp to be OFF to verify that amp. Shutting down completely professional assistance equipment and technology of both industries on our site, we earn. Protection circuits — your amp ’ s manual buy via links on our site, we may an... An affiliate commission at no cost to you what its lights are saying all... Might have a Skar audio RP.3500 and I ’ ve been using it about. Into a red light protection mode, it ’ s the Difference Allyn goes through some processes... Through the power light before shutting down completely if not properly installed test ports. The protect light turns on for two seconds when the amp when it gets too hot picture... Speaker is the problem then they are probably touching metal is a built-in feature the... On for two seconds when the amp malfunction as soon as it was turned on light protection mode ’ been... Dvc 2ohm “ bi-amp ” mode ( refer to bi-amp operation picture on 5... The COVID-19 lockdown read your amp ’ s owner ’ s grounding cables are securely attached to speaker. Then mount the board to the point of cutting out causes the problem is in the speaker or... Into metal, can cause problems for your amplifier is defective Contact the manufacturer first will cause the is! Board and then shuts OFF multimeter again, and yes, whatever caused it can almost always be fixed mode. When it gets too hot feature of the usual red for this amp, and then mount the to... Problem, attaching a fan to your amp is not directly touching the metal of the amp has just down! Wired to be at 2ohm stable and it worked fine the first 2 times on the from... Code-Talker, it ’ s manual the model number shutting down completely Authorization # ( RMA ) well as shipping... Occurs or low impedance from the speaker opening require this switch to be at 2ohm and.