Stereo amp installation issue

2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
270,000 MILES • 4.3L • 6 CYL • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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HAILEEGRACECRIMI12
  • MEMBER
  • 19 POSTS
I had an aftermarket radio and an amp and subs all in my vehicle working fine but decided to upgrade with a better amp. Prior to doing this I had put new terminals and new wires to my battery . Just one of the extension kits you get at any auto parts store. So now as soon as I got done running everything I was ready to connect the hot wire to my battery that supplied my capacitor and amp .my radio was already installed and working fine... As soon as I touched the hot to the battery I look and smoke comes pouring from inside. I couldn't figure out what happened but the ground wire was burnt . Ground to my radio. So I decided to run separate lines from the battery and fuse box and use a new ground source. Found a bolt under dash that worked for the ground. So I have the radio up and playing and I run all new wires to everything.. again, soon as I connect the amp hot wire to battery, smoke everywhere. it was the ground wire again burnt. And this was the one I just ran myself. what is going on here? Did I cross a wire to my battery or something? Can't figure it out and blew up 2 $300.00 radios already... please help
Mar 31, 2021 at 4:46 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 110,175 POSTS
Hi,

For that to happen, there has to be a direct short to that wire. I suspect the wiring to the amp is a much heavier gauge wire than the radio ground. Something is powering that wire. Did you have to change the wiring for the amp?

Do me a favor. With the battery disconnected, see if there is continuity to ground via the wire you are connecting to the battery. Also, take a few pics to show me what has been done and upload them.

Here is a link you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

When checking for continuity, have the battery disconnected.



Joe
Apr 1, 2021 at 7:23 PM