My System "Pops" at Start Up - Help!

[mrmsudawgs]

I just got my system installed. When I turn the key to "on" the head unit turns on as it should. Just as soon as it does I hear a very loud "Pop" or "Thump" coming from my speakers. I've had the head unit for a month prior to getting my amp and other equipment installed and I never heard this sound before. What can cause the loud thump and how can if fix it? Is it damaging my speakers?

Help!!

Here are my specs:
Alpine CDA-9831 Head Unit
Polk Carbon C400.4 Amp
Polk Momo MM2104 10" sub
Polk Momo C570 Door Speakers (Front)
Alpine Type S Door Speakers (Rear Fill on head unit power)


Mike

[Josh]

No, but's annoying. I had the same problem after I installed my Audiocontrol piece. You need to get a turn-on pop eliminator. Here is the one I use:David Navone Engineering The first one is a set time delay. The second one is adjustable. I use the second one.

[mrmsudawgs]

Thanks for the link but shouldn't my Alpine CDA-9831 head unit have a built in delay for the amp?

[neomagus00]

apparently not :)

[MacLeod]

Actually what most Alpines have is when you turn them on they turn up the volume gradually so when it pops the volume is turned down and you dont hear it. However this doesnt help the turn off thump.

[mrmsudawgs]

I've discovered that mine will pop even if the volume is turned way down. I have also discovered that the amp turns on before the head unit boots up all the way and remains on even if I turn the head unit off. According to tech support at Alpine, if I turn the head unit off then the amp should turn off as well. I have a feeling that my installer wired my amp to a fuse instead of the amp turn-on lead of my head unit.

Mike

[neomagus00]

very possibly. thankfully, if you're willing to spend some time on it, it is very simple to run it properly yourself.

[exalted512]

its quite common. it wont damage your speakers, its just some amps have the turn on pop. if you can stand it, save your money and dont do anything about it, if not-that dave navone piece josh recommended is good, or if you know anything about electronics you can put a delay on your REM wire. if your amps stay on after your head unit turns off...like 30 minutes later its still on, they wired it to a constant instead of the REM wire. its very easy to fix yourself. the only skill needed is to be able to cut and crimp a wire.
-Cody

[MacLeod]

You need to check that out. He may very well have used a fuse instead of the remote wire. If he did use a fuse make sure he didnt hook into some 30 amp or more fuse. A 10 amp is all you need.

[mrmsudawgs]

I found the problem. The installer had used the "Ignition" wire on the back of my head unit instead of the "Remote" wire. Oddly, the remote wire was labeled "REMOTE" which made it quite obvious as to which one to use. HMMMM. Anyway - all is well now and the only "thump" I here now is coming from my sub!

Thanks for all the input! You all were a great help.

In Christ!
Mike

[MacLeod]

Dude! NEVER go back to this guy for installs again.

The ignition wire is ALWAYS yellow and the remote is almost always either blue or blue/white. Any installer that cant tell the difference is either an idiot or isnt taking time to do the job right. Either way, you dont want him tinkering with your gear.

[neomagus00]

i completely concur, and enjoy your new and improved system!

p.s. how can something be both new and improved? a fairly stupid question, but i've been wondering for a while...

[Josh]

Originally posted by MacLeod
Dude! NEVER go back to this guy for installs again.

The ignition wire is ALWAYS yellow

You sure about that?

[neomagus00]

well, okay, sometimes the standards aren't always followed, but a new highend alpine probably adheres to CEMA.

and the manual i have in front of me thinks that the yellow is the always-connected +12V, while red is connected to the ignition. and blue is still remote turn on.

[MacLeod]

Originally posted by Josh
You sure about that?

Oops. I meant the constant power wire is always yellow and the ignition wire is always red. :o

OK, NEVER go to me for installs. :(

Why is it EVERYTIME I make a definitive statement, I get it backwards?

[swerve]

we have an installer at work who gets his ignition and constant mixed. i always have to correct him. heheh

[MacLeod]

Maybe I should actually proof read my posts rather than just typing them and hitting "submit". Might save me some embarassment.

[neomagus00]

but then we would lose so much 4-sided-cube-related joy! :)

[exalted512]

i, for one, am glad you dont proof read your posts...
-Cody

[MacLeod]

I knew I could count on my trustworthy Polkster comrades for support and understanding. :p