8
Troubleshooting
If your amplifier does not appear to be working, check obvious things first
such as blown fuses, poor or incorrect wiring connections, crossover and gain
controls set incorrectly, etc.
There are two LEDs on the end panel of your Kicker KX series amplifier, one
green and one red. When the green LED is lit this indicates the amplifier is
turned on and no trouble exists. If the green LED turns off and the red LED is lit
this indicates that the protection circuitry (
SORT
) is engaged.
The power indicator on top of the amplifier which illuminates the model
badge follows the same function as the green LED.
Green LED off,, no output::
With a Volt Ohm Meter (VOM) check::
Ö
+12 volt power terminal (should read +12V to +16V).
Ö
Remote turn-on terminal (should read +12V to +16V).
Ö
Ground terminal.
Green LED on,, no output::
Ö
Check RCA connections.
Ö
Test speaker outputs with known good speaker.
Ö
Substitute known good source unit.
Ö
Check for signal on RCA cable with VOM meter in AC position.
Red LED on,, no output::
1.) Amp is very hot.
Ö
Thermal protection is engaged. Check for proper impedance at
speaker terminals. Also check for adequate airflow around amplifier.
2.) Amp shuts down only while vehicle is running.
Ö
Voltage protection is engaged. Voltage to the amplifier is not within
the 9-16 volt operating range. Have automobile charging/electrical
system inspected.
3.) Amp will only play at low volume levels.
Ö
Short circuit protection is engaged. Check for speaker wires shorted
to each other or the vehicle chassis. Damaged speakers or operating
below minimum impedance will also cause this.
No output from one chaannel::
Ö
Check balance control on head unit.
Ö
Check RCA & speaker connections for that channel.
Ö
Swap RCA connections from left to right.
If problem changes sides then you have a bad RCA
cable or source unit problem.
Ö
Swap speaker connections from left to right.
If problem changes sides then you have a bad speaker
cable or bad speaker.
