Amp wont power on, just keeps blinking, help!

Mach1Chris · 18th October 2004, 07:13 PM

Hey everyone,

I bought a used Clarion APX400.4 amplifier off a friend. I wired it up and when I try to power it up (turn on the stereo), the power LED just keeps blinking once every maybe 5 seconds and I hear a slight pop in the speakers. I tested the connections with a multimeter and they all appear fine. Any ideas what might be wrong and/or how I can fix it?

Thanks,
Chris

Stocker · 19th October 2004, 01:15 AM

open the case. look for anything that looks or smells burnt.

sdoom · 26th October 2004, 01:38 AM

There is a short in the speaker wiring or the speakers itself. If you disconnect the speaker harness and the amplifier still behaves like you said, the amplifier is damaged.

If so, I assume a short in one (ore more) output transistors. That will always activate the protection curcuit. Some amplifiers will not turn on at all if in protect-mode. Some amplifiers will try to turn again after a certain period of time (usually around 3-5 sec). You amp is like that.

So what happens is : the amplifier is turned on --> the protection curcuit detects the short and powers off --> 5sec delay time passed -->amplifier turns on -->the protection curcuit detects the short ......

You can find the faulty transistor with a diode-tester or ohm-meter. if you are not confident in electronics bring it to a repair shop.

martin88 · 4th November 2004, 08:20 AM

I have that problem with my jvc amp and i unpluged it left it for a bit and it worked also using the remote helps. I ghet the problem now every few months

sdoom · 4th November 2004, 10:18 AM

how old is that JVC - a,plifier ?

I assume that´s a bad solder joint inside your amplifier. The quality of how those units are assembled is very low, even in the higher-price range. It´s tough business an they want to make big money

If you are confident with a solder-iron or know somebody who is then take the amplifier apart and re-solder all joints on the curcuit board, that will probably fix your problem.

But also make sure that your speakers are in fine condition. Connect an ohm-meter to each speaker and gently/slwoly move the membrane of the speaker in both directions . If your ohm-meter shows a frequent short then you have a bad speaker.

martin88 · 4th November 2004, 04:44 PM

cheers ill try it could it have been that the jvc amp has been shorted in the past because it wasnt new when i got it and the falt only happens when dissuesed for a wile normaly when i go on holiday is that still gona be the problem

stone885 · 30th April 2005, 07:31 PM

OK... so i am kinda new to the car audio thing... i just purchaced a box with 2 12's prewired (works) and a pioneer 760W amp (reccomended at the store for the speakers) and all the needed wiring.

i have hooked everything up as per instructions and the amp wont power on......

i am also using a converter from the rear speaker wires to rca to the amp.

pleeease help

ChevS-10 · 4th May 2005, 03:49 PM

If your amp has High inputs, don't bother with the converter and just connect the speaker wires with the high inputs.

18th October 2004, 07:13 PM	#1
Mach1Chris diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004	Amp wont power on, just keeps blinking, help! Hey everyone, I bought a used Clarion APX400.4 amplifier off a friend. I wired it up and when I try to power it up (turn on the stereo), the power LED just keeps blinking once every maybe 5 seconds and I hear a slight pop in the speakers. I tested the connections with a multimeter and they all appear fine. Any ideas what might be wrong and/or how I can fix it? Thanks, Chris

19th October 2004, 01:15 AM	#2
Stocker diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Austin	open the case. look for anything that looks or smells burnt. __________________ Jesus loves you.

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26th October 2004, 01:38 AM	#3
sdoom diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Heidelberg	There is a short in the speaker wiring or the speakers itself. If you disconnect the speaker harness and the amplifier still behaves like you said, the amplifier is damaged. If so, I assume a short in one (ore more) output transistors. That will always activate the protection curcuit. Some amplifiers will not turn on at all if in protect-mode. Some amplifiers will try to turn again after a certain period of time (usually around 3-5 sec). You amp is like that. So what happens is : the amplifier is turned on --> the protection curcuit detects the short and powers off --> 5sec delay time passed -->amplifier turns on -->the protection curcuit detects the short ...... You can find the faulty transistor with a diode-tester or ohm-meter. if you are not confident in electronics bring it to a repair shop.

4th November 2004, 08:20 AM	#4
martin88 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: england	I have that problem with my jvc amp and i unpluged it left it for a bit and it worked also using the remote helps. I ghet the problem now every few months

4th November 2004, 10:18 AM	#5
sdoom diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Heidelberg	how old is that JVC - a,plifier ? I assume that´s a bad solder joint inside your amplifier. The quality of how those units are assembled is very low, even in the higher-price range. It´s tough business an they want to make big money If you are confident with a solder-iron or know somebody who is then take the amplifier apart and re-solder all joints on the curcuit board, that will probably fix your problem. But also make sure that your speakers are in fine condition. Connect an ohm-meter to each speaker and gently/slwoly move the membrane of the speaker in both directions . If your ohm-meter shows a frequent short then you have a bad speaker.

4th November 2004, 04:44 PM	#6
martin88 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: england	cheers ill try it could it have been that the jvc amp has been shorted in the past because it wasnt new when i got it and the falt only happens when dissuesed for a wile normaly when i go on holiday is that still gona be the problem

30th April 2005, 07:31 PM	#7
stone885 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hickory, NC	OK... so i am kinda new to the car audio thing... i just purchaced a box with 2 12's prewired (works) and a pioneer 760W amp (reccomended at the store for the speakers) and all the needed wiring. i have hooked everything up as per instructions and the amp wont power on...... i am also using a converter from the rear speaker wires to rca to the amp. pleeease help

4th May 2005, 03:49 PM	#8
ChevS-10 diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Appleton	If your amp has High inputs, don't bother with the converter and just connect the speaker wires with the high inputs.

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