Car won’t start after installing amp/sub?

Maintenance/Repairs
1

My buddy and I worked on installing an amp/ sub combo , ran the power wire to the Negative battery terminal. When we were finished, we tried starting the truck, nothing other than clicking, so I adjusted the battery terminals, and the truck started perfectly, but the amp wasn’t coming on (power light was not lit) so we said we would work on it tomorrow. My buddy woke up this morning and the truck wouldn’t start, we never disconnected the amp from the battery, so is it possible that even tho the amp wasn’t turning on, that it was still drawing power from the battery?
EDIT: we installed the power wire to the positive battery terminal, NOT the negative.

2

Yes, the amp could be drawing power while the car is off especially directly wired to the battery. There should be a trigger wire connected to the radio head unit to turn the amp on when the head unit turns on.

It also sounds like your battery terminals are not tight and-or corroded as well.

Check both.

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4

It could be drawing power even tho the amp/sub isn’t powering on?

5

Why? The power wire should go to the positive terminal, but should be appropriately switched. Have you ever done this kind of work?

6

Actually, yes. Many electronic components in cars do draw current, small amounts, when off. Aftermarket amps, subs and head units are notorious for high draws when off and internal failures that cause those draws to be much higher. So high that it drains the battery overnight. It is called parasitic drain and if your battery continues to go dead overnight, you need to do a parasitic draw test to determine the cause. Aftermarket devices radios, alarms, and remote starters are usual suspects.

1 Like
7

I made an edit stating we ran it to the positive, made a typo

8

Okay, so just charge up the battery, and then wire up the turn on wire ? But why wouldn’t the sub be working if it’s drawing power? Erin remote wiring or a bad ground?

9

There are any number of reasons the amp is not working. You need to work with the wiring diagram supplied with the amp AND a volt-ohm meter so you can check voltages and ground resistance.

10

I’m almost positive the remote turn on wire was installed incorrectly, could this play a role in the sub not powering and the battery draining?

11

Yes it can