Testing Subs?

[SlimeRT]

I recently bought a 98 Dakota CC that already had an upgraded sterio system. Has a Kenwood mask head unit wired to 4 factory speakers and out of the preouts wired to a MTX amp; out of the amp have 2 wires run to 2 10" MTX subwoofers under the rear seats. The subwoofers are NOT working. Out of the amp the sub wires are connected to right/positive and left/negitive the back to the 2 connections on top of the preformed MTX woofer box. Does this sound right? Or is there a way to test the output of the amp signal to the subwoofers? I do have 12V at the amp and sound out of the speakers. Any help / ideas would be greatly appreciated! Mike.

[98ramss/t]

unhook both subs from the amp and get a 9volt battery and touch the positive/neg. to the battery and if the subs work they will make a popping sound. Or you can check the subs with a Ohm meter. They should be around 4 ohms(or pretty close to it).

You can check the amp with just a raw speaker that may be lying around.

[Ram-N-Time]

If you are concerned about having only two wires going to two speakers, do not be. They are probably two 8-ohm speakers connected in parallel. The amplifier will see a 4-ohm load when the speakers are connected in this fashion, perfectly normal.

When you check the speakers with a battery, the cones of the speakers will move in or depending on the polarity. If you have the polarity correct ( Pos to Pos and Neg to Neg ) the cones will move out and stay out until you disconnect the power. As far as checking the amp, 98ramss/t hit it on the head. Find a speaker you know works and hook it up.

Hope this helps

[D150adam]

I have used MTX amps before, and they recommend using the right negative and left positive terminals if you bridge the amp, but I doubt that would make much of a difference the way you have them.

Check the wires going from the connector on the box to the speakers (inside). Sometimes these can come loose when you move the box, or they can vibrate loose

Does the power light light up on the amp?

[BrandonW]

SlimeRT, your problem is, you amp is wired wrong. It should be Left POSITIVE, Right NEGATIVE. It wont work the way it is wired. This means thats the amp is bridged and your subs will hit harder. The subs you have are probably single voice coil and each sub is a 4ohm sub. Bridged will put out a 2ohm load to your amp and that is fine for the amp. Change the wireing to like I mentioned above and it should work.

[SlimeRT]

Thanks for all the great tips. After checking wiring, (which was correct L-pos & R-neg) tried the 9v battery with no response. Took the sub connector terminal off and found an inside wire off! WOW. This should wake me up in the morning! Thanks again; Mike.