Any experts here?

Topic: Any experts here? (Read 3273 times) previous topic - next topic

Any experts here?

September 12, 2005, 04:57:59 PM

Just had a Pioneer head unit installed. When turning up the volum, the speakers begin to crack and cut in and out.
Let me state that it's a 88 cougar with the 6 speaker premium sound system. The installer said that the head unit is prolly over-powering the factory amp causing it to clip. They also couldnt find the factory amp. Anyone run across this problem? Or any suggestions would be helpful.

Re: Any experts here?

Reply #1 – September 12, 2005, 06:03:05 PM

The installer is probably right. The amp is mounted on a metal bracket attached to the rear seat back support

Re: Any experts here?

Reply #2 – September 12, 2005, 06:17:01 PM

Amp has to be disconnected.
There is info in the tech section.

Re: Any experts here?

Reply #3 – September 12, 2005, 06:46:15 PM

Quote from: dominator

Amp has to be disconnected.
There is info in the tech section.

Not always. He has a couple options.

1. Look for the hidden connector in the dash next to the glove box. That bypasses the amp.
2. Make your own harness that plugs into the rca outputs from the radio.
3. Rewire all of it. (PITA)

Re: Any experts here?

Reply #4 – September 12, 2005, 08:29:20 PM

Well. I found the hidden plug you mentioned. When i plug it in i get no sound at all...but it makes a noise when i plug it in..like its making a connection. On this harness theres a thick pink wire that they (looks like) put to ground. I tried unplugging this wire, but nothing.
I was checking Crutchfield.com, and they mention of a harness that the vehicle requires because of the premium sound.
The PAC OEM-2...and its about $30. Im guessin this is what ill be needing.

Re: Any experts here?

Reply #5 – September 12, 2005, 08:36:44 PM

You may need to redo the harness. The hidden one should have a + and - for each speaker. LF, LR, RF, and RR. How do they have the harness wired right now.

Re: Any experts here?

Reply #6 – September 12, 2005, 08:48:25 PM

The hidden harness had four wires, plus the ground that i mentioned. The other one that they're using had a few more wires. When plugged into this one, the speakers sound like when turned up. With the ground off from the other plug,(hidden) they work, but when i touched the wire to ground it got louder and stopped cracking. But when i turned the head unit off then back on, nothing until i touched back to ground

Re: Any experts here?

Reply #7 – September 12, 2005, 08:49:17 PM

With the six speakers. Woould there be 6 pairs of wires?.Or do the dash feed off of the doors

Re: Any experts here?

Reply #8 – September 12, 2005, 09:44:03 PM

The dash speakers feed off the door speakers.

If your stereo is hooked up using the 8-wire harness you have to unplug the stock amp. If you're using the 5-wire harness you have to use the "line level" outputs on the head unit. That would be crazy, though, because the aftermarket head unit would almost certainly be more powerful and sound better than the stock premium sound amp.

The amp looks like an elongated metal octagon full of holes, mounted to the aforementioned bracket behind the rear seat back (you can get at it from inside the trunk but you have to remove a few screws and lower the bracket).

On my website you'll find the wiring info for the stock stereo systems as well as suggestions on how to connect aftermarket stuff:

http://www.foxthundercats.com/tech/wiringdiagrams.htm

Re: Any experts here?

Reply #9 – September 12, 2005, 09:52:09 PM

If I'm not mistaken the dash speakers are wired in series with the doors, but I could be wrong. When I installed my speakers and headunit, I just reran all new wires and took out the stock amp and speakers. I firgured it would be easier than trying to hassle with the stock wiring. I will admit it took a good part of the day to do, but IMO it's well worth it if you plan to put a lot of work into a system.

Re: Any experts here?

Reply #10 – September 13, 2005, 10:45:37 AM

personaly, i would re-wire the whole thing, nothing sounds better than new wire, going directly from your stereo to your speakers,

I am kinda wondering about this shop though, they couldn't find the factory amp? that's kinda a sad stereo shop, i'd take it to another, and ask them there best advice

i'd go get a new amp, and rewire it to your deck, i've done 100's of stereos, all my cars are loud ass hell, and most of them sound great,

Re: Any experts here?

Reply #11 – September 13, 2005, 05:07:11 PM

Got it. Found and unplugged the amp. Sounds pretty good now. Thanks for all the help and info. In defense of the install. shop, there was alot of in the trunk. We were gettin ready for a car show and had alot of stuff in the trunk.
Now next question. When i go to replace the 3 1/2's in the dash, whats the easiest way to get to them? :rollin:

Re: Any experts here?

Reply #12 – September 13, 2005, 05:59:19 PM

pop of the grill. If you cant get it off the first time, use the hammer. You will figure it out quick(better you only have two chances.)

Re: Any experts here?

Reply #13 – September 17, 2005, 10:27:38 AM

I have a question about your radio install. When you used that other plug did you turn the prem amp switch off? If it has one that is. I had the same thing in my 84 T/C with prem sound. As soon as I turned the amp all was well. I didn't use the pac adapter, and I used the second plug ass they told you to. Just had to turn the amp off at the dash switch. Any how I've been out of town for the last wekk so sorry I didn't get to you sooner.

Re: Any experts here?

Reply #14 – September 17, 2005, 03:29:46 PM

The 85-88 Premium sound cars do not have a pre-amp switch. Premium sound is on all the time.