Repair Help for a Kenwood Car Amplifier

Repairing a Kenwood amplifier usually involves checking the amp's connections and fuses.

Audio amplifiers are devices used to power speakers and subwoofers. Repairing amplifiers usually involves checking the various connections to the amplifier to ensure the device is properly wired. Kenwood amplifiers have a good reputation for being a solid and dependable, and most problems revolve around blown fuses or loose wires.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Open the hood and disconnect the negative battery cable from the terminal. Trace the Kenwood amplifier's positive wire lead to the positive battery post and look for the main wire fuse. Check to see if the fuse has blown, and replace if necessary.

2. Visually inspect the amplifier's connections on the amp itself. Ensure the power lead, ground lead, remote lead, and RCA jacks are properly seated in their respective ports. Trace the ground wire to it's source to make sure the wire is securely attached to a bare piece of grounded body medal.

3. Trace the remote lead to the car's stereo unit. Check the connection to ensure the remote lead wire is directly connected to the stereo's wire harness. Make sure the RCA jacks are properly connected to the stereo unit as well.

4. Pull the amplifier fuses from the unit and check for blown modules. Turn the car on and check if the amplifier initializes and powers speakers. Remove the amplifier by disconnecting all the wires and allow the unit to set for 24 hours outside the vehicle, then reconnect and attempt to power the amplifier again.

Tips & Warnings

• A majority of repairs for audio amplifiers revolve around the connections to the amplifier itself. Fuses at the unit and power cable are also common causes of amplifier faiurel. The last step attempts to reset the amplifier and allow the unit to cool in case of an overheat auto shutdown that most Kenwood amplifiers have built-in.

• Do not attempt to open the amplifier to repair the inside of the unit. Doing so will not only void your warranty, but can cause personal injury due to the internal capacitor's likelihood of still being "hot," and can possibly result in electrocution.

References

• Basic Car Audio Electronics: Learn to Repair Car Audio Power Amplifiers