*Help* Powered Sub in Protection Mode

So my truck has a 4 channel amp (Pioneer GM-D8604) (Amp #1 in the diagram) installed by a local shop that works just fine. When I bought the truck the guy gave me a Pyle (PLBASS8) powered sub and I thought I'd try to install it.

I ran power from the battery with an inline fuse 12" from the battery, a ground to the body on the passenger side after removing some of the paint to get a good ground. The remote wire I ran from the amp #1. RCAs from Amp#1 as well.

When I put the truck in Acc the sub works, but when I start the truck it goes into protection mode.

I measured the voltage of the Power wires at 12.5, but noticed a spike when the truck starts to 13.25 or so, could this be the problem?

I'm wondering if anyone who actually knows what they're doing, because I clearly don't, might be able to help me troubleshoot this.

Thanks!

 

13 volts should be well within range for input voltage, 12 volt alternators charge at over 12 volts all the time.

1. Do you have a multimeter? You may not have sufficient amperage on the remote wire to turn on both amps. You can test by disconnecting your remote from the four channel and running only to the powered woofer.

2. Are you 110% sure your RCA’s are hooked to the 4 channel’s output and not an input?

3. Will the subwoofer play with the key in the ACC position? Or On without starting the truck?

 

What gauge power wire? And how did you ground the powered woofer?

 

Thanks for your help!

1.) I do. When the truck is off the volts are 0 on the remote wire, when on 12.5.

2.) 110% sure. There are 3 sets. One for Ch. A, one for Ch.B, and an output.

3.) Sorry, with the key turned to on without starting the truck the woofer works.

4.) 8 GA

5.) Sanded the paint off a spot under the trim beside the seat and used a self taping screw.
Essentially the same as the shop did for the 4 channel amp on the other side.

 

So just to clarify, it all works fine with the key in ACC, but the sub goes into protect when you crank it?
What about when the key goes to IGN but not actual crank

 

When the key is turned to the Acc or On position the woofer works, but when you crank it and the stereo cuts out for a second while the truck starts the woofer goes into protection.

 

It’s Pyle so there are a million things that could be happening.

step 1, disconnect the RCA’s going to it and see if it still goes into protect.

Next, put your meter’s black lead on your actual grounding spot and the red on the battery input. This voltage should read very similar to what you get just touching the + and - on the battery.

 

Haha I haven't read many promising Pyle reviews, but free is free...

With disconnected RCA's I'm almost positive it doesn't go into protection.

I'll go try what you suggest in the morning and confirm the RCA's.

 

Here’s something since we’re spitballing. Just bump the starter, not actually hold it long enough to start, and see if it goes into protect. I’m almost wondering if something about the act of running the starter is causing the issue, like the battery voltage dips low enough for just a second to put the amp in protect.

1. Check voltage while starting.
2. May also look at something like this. PAC TR-4 Remote Turn-on Module

$19 PAC TR-4 Remote Turn-on Module , Black

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002J22BE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_32-aFb1GAX1TN

It’ll delay the amp from turning on a second or two until the truck is started and voltage stabilizes. May be a bandaid, might be the problem.

 

Yeah my next suggestion would be to disconnect the REM turn-on from the sub, crank the truck, then connect the REM back and see what happens. If it turns on and plays normally, then it’s something with the voltage during starting, and a basic delay device like posted above will solve your issue

 

Ok, so when the RCA’s are unplugged and the truck started it doesn’t go into protection.


If I remove the REM wire, start the truck, then touch the REM wire to the terminal it is fine for a second then goes into protection.

 

So we’ve potentially narrowed it down to the RCA’s, correct?

 

It looks that way.
I tested it with a second set I have laying around and they are the same.

 

Do you happen to have an RCA-3.5mm adapter? I would test plugging your phone into the sub via that adapter if you happen to have one.

 

I might, I'll take a look and see what difference that makes.

 

If a second set of RCA’s sent the amp into protect as well, I’d suspect the pre amp output from the four channel may be part of the issue.

Destin’s advice regarding an RCA to 3.5mm adapter is worth pursuing.

 

Exactly my thought.
Then, if it goes into protect with the phone hooked up, we know it is the sub itself. Just be sure to start with the phone volume all the way down, and the gain on the sub all the way down. Then slowly turn the phone volume up, and only once the phone is maxed out should you start upping the gain. Make sure it’s set to low-level input

 

Pyle is flea market/swap meet garbage.

I wouldn't waste anymore time or energy trying to diagnose it, even if it does start to work it will sound like shit and/or be dead in a month anyway.

 

Tried the 3.5mm - RCA and it didn't go into protection.

Its sounding like it may be the 4ch amps output then?

 

Thanks for your help.