If you’ve been wondering why your amplifier is still drawing power even when it’s turned off, you’re not alone.
This is a common issue that many people experience and can be quite frustrating.
In this blog post, we will discuss the causes of this problem and how to solve it. Keep reading to learn more!
Why Amp Draws Power When the Car is Off?
There are a few different reasons why your amplifier might be drawing power when the car is turned off.
Incorrectly Connecting the Remote Wire
One possible reason is that the remote wire has not been correctly connected.
This wire is responsible for telling the amplifier when to turn on and off, so if it’s not connected properly, it can cause the amplifier to stay on even when the car is turned off.
Typically, a blue and white wire is used for remote wire functionality and it connects the head unit to the amp.
Bad Ground Connection
When electrical components are not grounded properly, it can cause all sorts of problems, including your amplifier drawing power when it’s turned off.
If you suspect that this might be the issue, check to see if the ground wire is loose or needs to be replaced.
Bad Amplifier
Another possibility is that your amplifier might be bad and needs to be replaced.
If you’ve ruled out all of the other potential causes, it’s worth checking to see if the amp is functioning properly.
You can simply disconnect the remote wire and run the stereo normally. If it’s still drawing power after turning off, then the amp may have gone bad.
Battery Can be the Culprit as Well
If you don’t use the car often but see the battery has been drained every time you try to start the car, it can be the time length between each start that’s causing the drain.
Many times, people leave their car for an extended period and think that the components in the vehicle are draining the battery.
While there can be some parasitic drain in the car, leaving a battery for a long time will cause it to drain out on its own. So, before you try any troubleshooting process, make sure you are not from this category.
How to Fix Amp Drawing Power When Car is Off?
If you’ve determined that the issue is with either the remote wire or the ground wire, the fix is relatively simple.
First, check to see if the remote wire is connected properly. If not, reconnect it and see if that solves the problem.
If the remote wire is already connected properly or reconnecting it doesn’t help, then the next step is to check the ground wire.
If the ground wire is loose, tighten it or replace it if necessary.
The surface where the ground wire is connected also has a major impact on having a good ground connection. Use a shiny bare metal surface for connecting the ground wire.
If everything looks good but the amplifier is still drawing power when the car is turned off, then you might need to replace the amp.
Adding a Relay to the Main Power Wire Can Solve the Issue
If you don’t want to replace the amplifier, another solution is to add a relay to the main power wire.
This will essentially create a switch that will allow you to manually turn the amplifier on and off as needed.
Adding a relay is a relatively simple process and can be done by anyone with basic electrical knowledge.
Conclusion
If you’re experiencing problems with your amplifier drawing power when the car is turned off, hopefully, this blog post has been helpful.
There are a few different potential causes for this issue, but most of them can be easily fixed.
If you’ve tried all of the solutions and the amp is still drawing power, then it might be time for a new one.