My Car Amplifier Won't Turn On

If you have installed an amplifier in your car and it will not turn on, there are several possible reasons why this is occurring. By following a set list of troubleshooting steps, you can very likely determine what the problem is and get your system operating properly.

• 1

  Touch the lead of a 12-volt test light to the junction of the power line coming into your amplifier and the "+" terminal on the amplifier. If the light comes on, go to Step 2. If the light doesn't come on, check the amplifier's power line connection at the battery and the fuse that's mounted in-line on the amplifier power cable.

• 2

  With the ignition on, touch the test light lead to the wire connecting to the "REM" terminal on your amplifier. If the light comes on, go to Step 3. If it doesn't, examine the wire's connection to your car stereo's blue output wire and repair it if possible.

• 3

  Examine the ground wire connected to the amplifier's "-" terminal, both at the terminal and at the grounding point. If this connection is loose or oxidized, the amplifier won't turn on.

• 4

  Take your amplifier to a certified repair technician or contact the manufacturer if none of these steps work.