Your car audio amplifier is a key component in your vehicle’s sound system. It’s the muscle that you flex to get the most out of all your other components, from speaker to subwoofer. But when the amplifier is overheating, you have a problem — it shuts off.
Why is this happening and what can you do to prevent it?
Top 3 Reasons You Have This Problem
There are three main reasons your car audio amplifier might get overheated. First, you could simply have a low-quality amplifier. The cheapest components waste more energy than they use. This wasted energy is converted to heat, which causes the amplifier to shut down.
Second, the amplifier could be installed in a way that limits the ventilation surrounding it. If it’s upside down or crammed under a carpet, this is probably the cause of the problem.
Finally, there could be an issue with the speaker-to-amp connection. If there is a power mismatch and the speaker load is too strong, it can cause the amplifier to overheat.
What can you do to fix this issue?
Solution #1: Install Ventilation
First, try adding some ventilation near your amplifier. If there is a problem with the position of the amp, place it somewhere else. If it’s in a spot where it can be ventilated but you still have an overheating problem, you can mount a cooling fan to facilitate air flow.
Solution #2: Upgrade to a Better Amplifier
If you’re working with a stock part that clearly isn’t providing the boost your system needs and keeps overheating, you know it’s time to upgrade.
Solution #3: Check the Wiring
Sometimes if you drive on bumpy terrain, it can loosen the wiring, causing it to enter protection mode and shut down. Most drivers assume the cause is overheating, but sometimes it’s just loose wiring. Check all connections to get to the bottom of the problem.
Solution #4: Check Installation Quality
Finally, you should check and see that the amplifier was installed correctly in the context of the larger car audio system. Does it match the speaker and subwoofer power specifications? Was the ground connection established correctly? These factors could contribute to amplifier performance.
Get Laketown on the Job
We can help when your car audio amplifier isn’t performing up to spec. Laketown Speed and Sound installs and repairs all types of vehicle audio systems. Give us a call and get your free quote!
