Amp cutting out

[DbP]

From time to time my amp just seems to turn off for no apparent reason, sometimes it turns back on after a while too. The reset seems to be pulling the fuse from the power supply line and re-inserting it.

Any ideas what could cause this? Amp is a Sony XM-5527R, and when it's suffering this problem the power/protection light does NOT go red, it stays green but starts flashing. Google has not been terribly hellpful in diagnosing this and it's listed in the troubleshooting section of the manual.

[OhSoSlow]

Getting too hot maybe? I've had an amp cut out on me before from that..

[Demon]

yep that would be my guess to, too much load on it, try upgrading or turning it down a bit

[Pauls Audio]

Yes, a failing speaker can also give this problem. If the speaker is on it's way out, the impedence will drop when moving and drop below what the amp likes, causeing it to overheat, or go into protect.

[AccordB20A]

check your earths and power connections. mine did the same and i found my fuse connection was all fucked up.

[DbP]

Originally Posted by DbP

Google has not been terribly hellpful in diagnosing this and it's listed in the troubleshooting section of the manual.

Whoops, should read:

Google has not been terribly helpful in diagnosing this and it's NOT listed in the troubleshooting section of the manual

--------

Thanks for all those suggestions, I'll see what I find.

To clarify, it doesn't seem to be in protect mode when this happens as protect (supposedly) makes the power LED turn red, whereas in this case it's still green but flashes. Go figure.

[ThundaChild]

It mat not be in protect as its not what the protect is set for...Pauls is right it could be a speaker temporarily stopping the amp by getting it a little warm...Sony arent known for there comprehensive quality of there gear so how do you know if the system is in protect as the thermal cuttout on the amp will cut in before the protect trip works........
Check the speakers, maybe the wiring to.....the earth and the power supply......any could cause it to go into protect...but that will show up on the protect light by rights.

Go Sony !!!???

[fr3ek]

Use a multimeter to check the power being supplied, and also the impediance of the speakers. Will give you a better idea of what is happening

[evilcr]

how bigs the power cable your using?

[DbP]

Originally Posted by ThundaChild

Sony arent known for there comprehensive quality of there gear.

Alas, I know. It was a gift, as was the no-brand sub. I'm a little skeptical about the overheating claims - I'm not exactly ratlling the windows with this thing lol.

Originally Posted by evilcr

how bigs the power cable your using?

Not sure, I didn't install it. Will have a look later in the week when I have a moment.

Ahh, this would be so much simpler if it wasn't an intermittent fault...

[fr3ek]

With an amp that size (if it is the one I'm thinking of) power cable size isn't going to be an issue. It will draw bugger all.

Get a cheap multimeter to check the speakers like Dale from Pauls suggested. Stick it to ohms mode, put it across the speaker wires and it should measure 3-4 or greater ohms. If it is more, it could be the problem.

Then stick it in DC voltage mode, and check the voltage at the positive and negative amp terminals. Try it engine on, engine off, and when it is cutting out. If it always maintains greater than I'd say 12V, the problem isn't likely to be with power/ground cabling, fusing, or battery.

Failing that, a loose remote wire (this tells the amp to turn on) coming in to contact then away could cause it to cut out without a protect light. Again use the multimeter in DC mode across the remote and negative terminals to test this.