Amp gurus: HELP!

concealer404

Hey guys,

I wrapped up the stereo install in the Escort, only to have to take the amp out and just run the speakers off the headunit.

Everything worked fine at lower volumes, tripped protection mode once it got into middle of the road volumes.

Alternator is good on the car, battery is 2 months old, and has never drained. It's nothing special, just a Napa battery, but the system isn't high power or anything.

There are only two speakers in the car, a set of 6.5 Kickers in the front.

So, there are:

Kicker DS650s
Kenwood KDC-MP332
Kenwood KAC-943 4-channel amp

Now, i ran my power, ground, and remote to the amp, got it to power on like it should with no problems.

I then ran an RCA from the "front" outputs on the HU, to input set "A" on the amp. Then used speaker output set "A" on the amp. Set the amp for 4ohms, set both amp "A" and "B" to "stereo." Turned HPF/LPF off. Turned my gain all the way down on both halves.

I should clarify the amp "A" and "B" thing.... This is a 4-channel amp that actually consists of two separate 2-channel amps within one chassis. Rather strange for something made in 1993 i guess.

The frustrating thing about this amp is that even though i'm only taking input on the "A" side, the amp will output in both A and B even in stereo mode.

The right channel is effed up on one of the amps i think. I can run the left channel as loud as i want, and it sounds great, but once the right channel goes to about medium volume, the amp goes into protect mode and starts cutting out.

Now... that all being said, i never tried to run it while the car was actually running. This was all just off the battery, but that wouldn't explain why i could play the left channel so loud.

Here's the manual:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/3275919/ManualsMania-Kenwood-KAC943-kac943pdf-Owners-Manual-English

I need to figure out how to use just "B" inputs and "B" outputs, or if that's even possible. I tried a few other configurations, but couldn't really get anywhere.

Help anyone? Is this amp shot?

Thanks!

Systems

swap leads from left to right at the amp and see if it changes sides. Then get back to us.

concealer404

It's whichever the amp thinks is right channel no matter what i switch.

I tried another set of rcas, same thing. It's not the headunit, it's functioning perfectly on it's own at the moment.

Systems

so, if you switch the leads from left to right the amp still has trouble with the right channel even if its getting a signal from the left output of the HU. Try another amp.

concealer404

187CAM wrote: »

so, if you switch the leads from left to right the amp still has trouble with the right channel even if its getting a signal from the left output of the HU. Try another amp.

Yep, it's definitely the right channel out on the amp. The HU is working perfectly.

I think i'm going to see if i can get this amp repaired, i really liked it in the last car i used it in.

Thanks for your help.

concealer404

Bit the bullet.

Picked up a Rockford P160x4 (complete with original box and birth sheet!) and an Eclipse PA4212 for $75.

Will report back on Friday when i have a chance to hook the old Rockford up. Really excited.... i remember how good these things used to sound. Birthsheet shows 61wpc rms, and i'm bridging, as i'm only running fronts.