Spect2K3

I just installed an amplifier and 4 new speakers into my tC. There is, what smells like an electrical wire burning. I believe that it's coming from the engine bay. I am also having alot of alternator whining noise coming from the system. This thread isn't about that, I just thought that it may be relevant.

The only other thing that I can add, is that I had 1 amp in there initially, and there was no problem. Now, I just put in a pioneer amp (less powerful) and the smell is there. I have put my nose in the trunk to smell the amp frequently and I don't see a problem. The only thing that I can think of since it SEEMS like the smell is coming from the engine bay, I would have to assume that it either has something to do with the wire/fuses attached to the battery, or it's just coincidental that the car smells now, however I doubt the latter. Any ideas of what I should check? For all I know, maybe I put the dash back together correctly. Maybe I got something caught somewhere while I was doing work and it's burning off now. It's not spilt oil, in fact i'm due for an oil change in 750 miles.

Again, it is an electrical smell. Any ideas?

bronxblaza117

how much power are the amps using?

drmoore

turn on your stereo - loud - and check to make sure none of your wires are getting HOT, warm is ok, if you can keep your hand on it then youre ok. Other than that, i think youre fine - what kind of burning does it smell like? oil? paper? plastic? etc

Spect2K3

Product Details: Pioneer GM-6100F Car Amplifier
Product Details Amplifier Type Multi Channel
Amplifier Output 4-channel
RMS Power 60 Watts x 4
Peak Power 120 Watts x 4
Output Power 600 Watt


I am running 8 guage power wire...i could switch to 4 if that would do it?!

Spect2K3

It doesn't smell like oil nor paper. I would have to say that it smells closest to an electical plastic burning! It happens pretty fast too. I drive 20 minutes to work without the radio up very high at all and I smell it

nodsetse

Do you mean a single 8 guage cable from the battery for both amps? If so, that might be marginal, good idea to go with 4ga, or at least separate 8ga for each amp. Regardless, I doubt that's the cause of the burning smell, especially if your 8ga still has insulation on it.

Spect2K3

I only have one amplifier. I have no sub. My amp powers the 4 speakers...the setup is in my profile


The wires don't seem to be getting hot to the touch however. Neither inside the car nor in the engine bay. I can't imagine what the smell could be! Any other ideas? Otherwise i'm gonna have to take it in to a shop and I really can't afford that right now


Once again, this started happening the moment I put in this new amp, however the installation of an amp involves moving wires around and taking apart some parts of the interior of the car. Yet I never went near the engine bay after putting in this new amp. The power line had already been there with no problems

BuddhasTC

check the ground wire. When i installed my first sysem way back when, i didn't tighten the screw enough where i put my ground wire and it ended up burning through my carpet one day...so maybe check that

Spect2K3

Good advice, but I already did that. It is grounded to the seatbelt and the professionals told me that the ground looks really good. (this is when I was still trying to get rid of the alternator whine / engine noise)

BuddhasTC

Well i hope you find it be4 it causes a greater problem. Good luck bro!

Spect2K3

Yea, i hope it doesn't escalate to that, but I don't know what it could be...I hope I don't have to take it to the dealer - its such a waste of time!

surfcity40

I'm moving this to the ICE & interior forum for some more looks.

Spect2K3

thanks

Spect2K3

bump, still lookin for ideas!

Spect2K3

I've determined that its coming from the amp by the speaker wire, any ideas?

Spect2K3

bump

drmoore

disconnect the amp, make sure the wired ARENT touching, turn on car and stereo - see if you still smell it.

if you do, then keep looking

if you dont then either theres two wires touching each other when you hooked up the amp - or your amp is dead/dying

Spect2K3

i'll try that....my step dad took my car up on a lift and said that he thinks there is a little remnance of a plastic bag burning off, but he's not 100% sure. I'm going to bring to the amp back to where I got it and maybe make them replace it...this way I can be certain its not that