Troubleshooting - Kicker IX.5-SERIES Owner's Manual

Crossover Control: The variable crossover on the front of the amplifi er allows you to adjust the crossover
frequency from 50–200Hz. The setting for this control is subjective; 80Hz is a good place to start.
Bass Boost Control: The variable bass boost control on the front of the amplifi er is designed to give you
increased output, 0–18dB, at 40Hz. The setting for this control is subjective. If you turn it up, you must readjust
the input gain control to avoid clipping the amplifi er.

TROUBLESHOOTING

If your amplifi er does not appear to be working, check the obvious things fi rst such as blown fuses, poor or
incorrect wiring connections, incorrect setting of crossover switch and gain controls, etc. There is an illuminated
blue badge on top of the amplifi er denoting the power state of the amp in addition to the Protection LED on the
end panel of your KICKER IX series amplifi er. When the blue badge is lit, this indicates the amplifi er is turned on
and the amplifi er is functioning properly.
BLUE Badge Light off, no output? With a Volt Ohm Meter (VOM) check the following:
terminal (should read +12V to +16V)
reversed power and ground connections.
BLUE Badge Light on, no output? Check the following:
a "known" good speaker.
the RCA cable feeding the amplifi er with the VOM meter set to measure "AC" voltage.
amplifi er inputs if using a bridged confi guration.
Protection LED fl ashing with loud music? The red LED indicates low battery voltage. Check all the
connections in your vehicle's charging system. It may be necessary to replace or charge your vehicle's battery or
replace your vehicle's alternator.
Protection LED on, no output?
impedance at the speaker terminals with a VOM meter (see the diagrams in this manual for minimum
recommended impedance and multiple speaker wiring suggestions). Also check for adequate airfl ow around

the amplifi er. Amplifi er shuts down only while vehicle is running = voltage protection circuitry is engaged.
Voltage to the amplifi er is not within the 10–16 volt operating range. Have the vehicle's charging and electrical

system inspected.
for speaker wires shorted to each other or to the vehicle chassis. Check for damaged speakers or speaker(s)
operating below the minimum recommended impedance.
No output from one channel?
input) and speaker output connections for the channel
right. If the problem changes sides then you have a bad RCA (or speaker input) cable or source unit problem.

Swap the speaker output wire from left to right. If the problem changes sides then you have a bad speaker
cable, passive crossover network and/or speaker.
Alternator noise-whining sound with engine's RPM?

Check the routing of RCA (or speaker input) cable
the gain settings and turn them down if they are set too high.
Poor stereo image or reduced bass response? Check system phasing by turning the balance control from
left to right. If there is more bass output when turned to either side, then check your speaker wiring, passive
crossover networks and speaker terminals for proper positive and negative connections. Reverse a speaker
connection from positive to negative on the stereo/subwoofer channel(s); if the bass improves, the speaker was
out of phase.
No Fader? When using both sets of low-level (RCA) or high-level (speaker wire) inputs, the fader button must
be pushed in.
Ground Noise? KICKER amplifi ers are engineered to be fully compatible with all manufacturers' head units.
Some head units may require additional grounding to prevent noise from entering the audio signal. If you are
experiencing this problem with your head unit, in most cases running a ground wire from the RCA outputs on the
head unit to the chassis will remedy this issue.
6
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Remote turn-on terminal (should read +12V to +16V)


Substitute source unit with a "known" good source unit.

Amplifi er is very hot = thermal protection is engaged. Test for proper
Amplifi er will only play at low volume levels = short circuit protection is engaged. Check

Check the balance control on source unit
Ground terminal, for proper conductivity.

RCA connections

Swap the RCA (or speaker input) cable from left to

Check for damaged RCA (or speaker input) cable

Check the source unit for proper grounding
IX AMPLIFIERS
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+12 volt power

Check for

Check for blown fuses.

Test speaker outputs with

Check for a signal in

Check polarity of the

Check the RCA (or speaker

Check