Note: this is a repost from the 1st gen. forum, but i figured other people might see it here:

I'll try to make this as short as possible...my turn on lead wire runs right next to my drivers seat and it used to be separated so I would twist it together with my hand to make a connection(don't ask lol). Well this didn't work too well as the green power light would go on and off, but the main light would stay lit, so the amp was still getting power, it was just dormant i guess.

So today I unraveled some of that extra wire and made it a continuous, 1-wire connection from the amp to the fuse im using. Now it works a lot better, but not perfectly.

My main question is do I need a new alternator or battery? Keep in mind this amp is like 200 watts so its nothing special. Another noteworthy sign is the green power light would ALWAYS come on and the amp would get full power with the engine off, and the key in the accessory position. Now within the past couple days the engine must be on for it to work.

I checked the power wire's connection at the battery terminal, and the wire is a little dirty but it's a strong connection. I'm guessing that's not the problem, but it would be nice if there was a simple solution to this problem.

Lastly, I've used these same exact wires/amp/speakers in 3 different cars and for a whole year in the CL, just to let everyone know. Also, i've only put 6-7K miles on it since last July, so could lack of use be finally starting to weaken the battery?

 

Someone told me to check the votages at the battery and amp with the car on and off, and everything checked out ok.

The green light still goes on and off and now i've noticed that while driving, not only does giving it gas turn the green light back on, but so does putting the shifter into neutral for a split second. I don't get it. Obvioulsy somethings f'ed up but I wished I knew why stupid things like putting it in neutral while cruising down the road turn my amp back on. Also, sometimes this happens every 30 seconds, sometimes every 15 minutes.

 

where do you have you amp turn on lead hooked up to (ie your green wire you keep talking about)...

 

the turn on lead is hooked up to the radio fuse in the fuse box right next to the footrest. Like i said ive used this method in 3 different cars and in this one for a year, so i dont think thats the problem, but if it is then i guess i can switch it.
BTW the green thing ive been talkin about is the power light