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KickerCS Upgrade with Kicker Key amp Install Assistance

Discussion in 'Audio & Video' started by siKjiTz, Sep 18, 2018.

  1. Sep 18, 2018 at 11:37 PM
    #1
    siKjiTz

    siKjiTz [OP] Well-Known Member

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    First off thank you to all members of this forum! Your contributions have been my entertainment for the past few years. With that said, I am needing help with installing my Kicker Key. I bought the suggested Metra Harnesses. Now where do I start? What should my process be? I’ve googled and watched the videos on this specific amp. None of them show the specifics I need. Can anyone with the know how share some wisdom on how I can wire this up?
     
  2. Sep 24, 2018 at 7:18 PM
    #2
    siKjiTz

    siKjiTz [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks to @destin_meeks and @Mrmarv for the help. I’m going to prep my harness and start crimping cuz crimpin’ ain’t easy! Lol

    Does anyone know what to set the head unit equalizer to?
     
  3. Sep 24, 2018 at 8:15 PM
    #3
    destin_meeks

    destin_meeks I used to fix people's crappy stereos

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    Set it flat. All settings in the middle. Let the Key's auto-eq do the work
     
    fake4x4 likes this.
  4. Sep 24, 2018 at 10:42 PM
    #4
    siKjiTz

    siKjiTz [OP] Well-Known Member

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    EE818FD9-4BDF-4E14-A68D-647E01C3A45F.jpg EE818FD9-4BDF-4E14-A68D-647E01C3A45F.jpg
    Here is my first attempt at the T harness. If anyone sees something I did wrong (other than the fact I didn’t solder it) please let me know. I will Tesa tape it if I can find any here in Hawaii. If not electric tape if I get the thumbs up that everything is good to go. I’ll try install it tomorrow.
     
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  5. Oct 16, 2018 at 6:36 PM
    #5
    schultzj01

    schultzj01 Well-Known Member

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    Where and how'd you mount the Kicker Key Amp?
     
  6. Oct 16, 2018 at 6:41 PM
    #6
    destin_meeks

    destin_meeks I used to fix people's crappy stereos

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    Most have just let it rest in the bundles of wiring behind the radio. It sits pretty snug
     
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  7. Oct 16, 2018 at 6:44 PM
    #7
    schultzj01

    schultzj01 Well-Known Member

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    Is there a schematic that you followed to make the T harness?
     
  8. Oct 16, 2018 at 6:56 PM
    #8
    destin_meeks

    destin_meeks I used to fix people's crappy stereos

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    Not really. It’s best to have a good understanding of what the t-harness does and how everything connects if you want to do this project.
     
    schultzj01[QUOTED] likes this.
  9. Oct 18, 2018 at 2:39 AM
    #9
    siKjiTz

    siKjiTz [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I was in the same boat as you about a month ago. Very little experience with car audio but good with tools and the sort so I gave it a shot. Let me tell you that if you have you tube and TW you can accomplish anything! @destin_meeks and @Mr Marv helped me a ton during the install. A big MAHALO goes out to those two for their knowledge, expertise, willingness to help, and patience.

    I ended up moving the amp from behind the dash to above the glove box. There is a perfect spot for it as long as your wires are long enough. Mine just made it.
     
    schultzj01[QUOTED] likes this.
  10. Oct 19, 2018 at 3:55 AM
    #10
    Nettleberger

    Nettleberger Well-Known Member

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    How did you get it above the glovebox?
     
  11. Oct 19, 2018 at 9:08 PM
    #11
    siKjiTz

    siKjiTz [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Open glove box and remove the screws, then I gently pulled the plastic above the box back enough to where I could squeeze my hands in and slide the amp in. I did disconnect the clip that was holding a bundle of wires to be able to get the amp in. The space back there is perfect.
     
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  12. Oct 20, 2018 at 11:39 AM
    #12
    Purpleman

    Purpleman Well-Known Member

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    If you can't find test tape, use zip ties instead of electrical tape. Only decent electrical tape is the one Tesa make and its about $5-7 a roll.
     
  13. Oct 26, 2018 at 6:30 PM
    #13
    schultzj01

    schultzj01 Well-Known Member

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    Was this the correct wiring for you?
     
  14. Oct 28, 2018 at 11:54 AM
    #14
    siKjiTz

    siKjiTz [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yes, the only change I did was I ended up connecting the key blue wire (the one that is coiled up and capped off) to the metra red.
     
  15. Dec 2, 2018 at 8:20 AM
    #15
    Bach88

    Bach88 Well-Known Member

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    Are you using the stock tweeters and the cs door speakers?
     
  16. Dec 2, 2018 at 2:24 PM
    #16
    itsmike

    itsmike Well-Known Member

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    Would you happen to have a picture of it in place?

    Is it still easily accessible if I needed to get to it to make any adjustments on the key?
     
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2018
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  17. Dec 2, 2018 at 2:54 PM
    #17
    Bach88

    Bach88 Well-Known Member

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    I put mine above the glove box also. I have to get back in there to adjust so I’ll snap some pics when I do. Maybe this evening if I have time.
     
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  18. Dec 2, 2018 at 5:15 PM
    #18
    Bach88

    Bach88 Well-Known Member

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    You have to remove the plastics on the side of the glove box to get to the screw for the padded panel then you can pull it right out.


    DE230EEA-B581-4632-A957-CAED99037AA0.jpg 91728B0C-B4FC-4F06-AFE4-489F9076B08B.jpg E02C0272-381F-452E-9FFF-3B9E065ED4B8.jpg
     
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  19. Dec 2, 2018 at 6:10 PM
    #19
    mctechhweng

    mctechhweng Well-Known Member

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    How hot does it get inside there? You might want to leave a thermometer in that little area to see what the ambient temperature is over time.
     
  20. Dec 2, 2018 at 6:46 PM
    #20
    Bach88

    Bach88 Well-Known Member

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    Well I live I Florida so it’s gonna be hot most of the time. The ac ducts are right next to it on both sides so I figured it would be ok. The manual says it has built in protection from overheating so I’m assuming it will just shut off if it overheats. Right now it’s sitting on a piece of pipe insulation so it doesn’t rattle around. When I finalize the install I will remove that and zip tie it in place.
     
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