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Quadster
Dodge Dakota
11/01/2001
09:32:46
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 Subject: My factory system has an external amp!!!
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Message:
I finally got time to install my Alpine head unit last night and I used a Scosche wiring adapter to make things easy and when I powered her up...NO SOUND! It had power and CDs spun time, just no sound.
After pulling out my trusty test speaker, I hooked it up stright to the HU wires...SOUND! Now, what the hell's wrong with the wiring? All the wiring checked out ok so I begin following the factory speaker wiring and it all goes to the passenger side kick panel area...low and behold...an Infinity amp! I hear a lot of guys say that their factory system sucks but I always thought my sounded decent. I have the CD only head unit (no cassette) with two band EQ and CD changer controls. My Dak is a 2001 QC. When I test drove several Daks, they all had the CD/casstte/3 band EQ head units in them and it sounded ok to but I planned to replace it as soon as I bought the Dak. I ended up really wanting the Intense Blue Sport model so I had one located and it came with the CD only HU and I was amazed at how it sounded, now I know why, the external amp bumps it up a notch.
Anyway, unless someone makes an amp bypass adapter, I will be running my own speaker wires so I can bypass the external amp.
BTW. This was the most difficult dash to get off of any I've removed. It only had the two screws and many pop clips but the rubber gasket around the steering column didn't want to let go and the AC switch had a red safety clip on it that slowed me down a little. I DIDN'T BREAK ANYTHING THOUGH!
I was going to install my systenm in stages (Alpine HU, then the Infinity Basslink that's in my garage, then front components with an amp) but I guess I will need to do it all at once no that I need to tear everything apart to run speaker wiring.
Sorry for the long post, thought you might want to know what I learned. Guess it's time to go shopping for front components and an amp now!
Duwayne
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TallQuad
Dodge Dakota
11/01/2001
10:49:00
|  RE: My factory system has an external amp!!!
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Message:
That dash is a real pain in the a$$ isn't it!! Its something you don't want to do more than once if you can help it. About the amp, did you make sure it has power? I wouldn't think you would have to run seperate speaker wire if everything behind the deck is hooked up right... hmmm. I wonder if the new harness ignores a power lead to the amp or on "on" switch that would cause the amp to not turn on?... I'm sure you've explored the wiring a lot but if you haven't, I would try and use the current amp before running all new wires.
Either way, good luck on the installs Quadster, and the new sound!!! Its makes the truck even MORE fun to drive!!! hehe...
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Quadster
Dodge Dakota
11/01/2001
14:17:07
| RE: My factory system has an external amp!!!
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Message:
I just got off the phone with Scosche Tech support, who makes the wiring adapter that I used, and the tech guy said I need to wire the Alpine amp turn on wire to the blue wire in the adapter. This is different info than the tech guy yesterday told me, he said don't use the blue wire unless you are installing an aftermarket amp...guess he didn't know that my system had an external factory amp. I guess will do it all over again tonight and hook up that damn blue wire and see if it turns on the amp.
I wonder how much power the factory Infinity amp has? My Alpine HU boasts 40w x 4 but it is probably only 20w rms at a clean listening range. Judging by the size of the Infinity factory amp, my best guess is that it is also in the same power range (20-25 watts). The deminsions of it are appox. 6" x 10" x 1.5". I'm not sure how much difference I'm going to notice by replacing the factory HU with the Alpine this way(runnig through the factory amp) but it's a step closer to where I want my system to be.
Time to tackle the dash thing again, got to go faster this time...I hope!
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DAK2
Gen III
11/01/2001
15:54:30
| RE: My factory system has an external amp!!!
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Message:
I also have the Factory Amp in my truck it is rated at 100w 4x25. I connected it with my Blaupunkt Alaska H.U. It does make an improvement
in quality. The Alaska unit is also a 4x40
H.U.
Y2K DAK 3.9L 5 Spd OS/2 Keeps going&going&going
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Quadster
Dodge Dakota
11/01/2001
16:22:39
|  RE: My factory system has an external amp!!!
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Message:
That's good to know DAK2, I hope I get the same improvement when I install the Alpine.
Hey DAK2, you like the Blaupunkt? I have run some Blaupunkt components before (they were decent) but not a HU. I may need to check them out.
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bLaZe
Dodge Dakota
11/01/2001
23:45:39
| RE: My factory system has an external amp!!!
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Message:
Well i've got good and bad news. They do make an adapter , thats the good news. The bad news is that it cost about 75$. I ran into same prob with my system. Just get the adapter, alot easier. Your new cd player will make those infinity's sound alot better.
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DAK2
Gen III
11/02/2001
09:04:55
| RE: My factory system has an external amp!!!
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Message:
QUADSTER,
Yeah I do like the Blaupunkt units I checked out a lot of other Manuf. and I decided on the Blau.
I also installed the 10CD changer in my center console(bucket seats).DAK1 had a Blaupunkt
Las Vegas H.U. in it.The adapter plugs to plug into the Factory wiring cost me about $20 and the adapter plate for the H.U. cost about $20. I custom made the mounting bracket to put the 10CD
changer in the console.
Y2K DAK 3.9L 5 Spd OS/2 Keeps going&going&going
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Quadster
Dodge Dakota
11/04/2001
09:06:18
| RE: My factory system has an external amp!!!
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Message:
Well, good news. I got the Alpine HU installed and working by connecting the blue wire amp turn on to the external amp turn on...makes sense , just didn't realize that there was an external factory amp until further investigation.
It does sound better than the factory HU but I'm only able to turn up the volume to half before it begins distorting and I believe this is due to the higher power that the Alpine HU has compared to the factory HU. I'm very pleased with it though. It has better clarity and imagery and a little better dynamic range than factory.
I also installed my new Infinity Basslink this weekend and it has really tight bass! I had a Polk 12" with a Fosgate bridged in mono in my last truck with the same HU and the Basslink 10 sub/10" passive radiator setup sounds better. It was just the bass kick I was looking for and I can move it around when I need all four seats available.
Seeya
Duwayne
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Jim
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/30/2002
10:14:24
| RE: My factory system has an external amp!!!
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Message:
where did you find the external amp turn on at?
I have the exact same wiring harness (Yay walmart!:D) and I am putting in a Pioneer Premier 740MP deck into my 97 Dodge Avenger. The amp is factory mounted in the trunk, but I have the EXACT same problem you did. Please shoot me an email @ madcowz612@insightbb.com AIM @ jh0sken612
or reply here...I gotta get this fixed ASAP.
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Jim
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/30/2002
10:53:43
| RE: My factory system has an external amp!!!
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Message:
Just got it working... thanks for the info ;)
Wondered what was wrong :)
BTW DEH-740MP deck is a GREAT deck to get (Pioneer Premier)
I love it.
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Ian
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/05/2002
18:26:47
| RE: My factory system has an external amp!!!
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do the watts from the head unit run through the amp increasing overall wattage or does the amp supply all the power? What I'm getting at is if i add a higher power aftermarket head unit would I be adding power hooking it up through the amp or would I have to wire the speakers direct to the amp and other speakers directly to HU?
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ju ju bean
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/28/2003
19:51:48
| RE: My factory system has an external amp!!!
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I have just purchased a amp from a co worker.
The amp does not have a speaker harness. Does any one know where I can find a harness close to where I live or Do I have to order one from alpine?
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bk
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/27/2003
21:24:45
| RE: My factory system has an external amp!!!
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PLEASE HELP.. i have the same problem.. ok i hooked it all up but nothing.. i got the walmart scoch connector.. well i also have an amp in the trunk and i dont knwo wtf is up.. i bought the connector and then looked and my cars connector was diffrent.. but i printed something ofline.. also where is the ground?? im so confused.. im off tommorow so i want to get this done right.. i also have a pioneer deh-7400mp good amimations.. thanks for all the help.. btw i got a 95 dodge avenger es 2.5 L V6...also looking for a body kit...
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scabby
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/26/2004
12:59:55
| RE: My factory system has an external amp!!!
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BK and others, I feel your pain.
I have a Dodge Avenger ES with the Infinity sound system option, and working with it has constantly been a nightmare. From odd-sized speakers that Infinity themselves don't sell, to the weird full-height stereos, car manufacturers do everything in their power to piss off the owners.
The solution to your problem, BK, is the blue wire. If your stock stereo was like mine, you had two 7-pin connectors. The black one had a wire going to it labeled "antenna", but this is actually a power-on signal to whatever devices that are installed, including power-lift antennas and power amps. Thankfully, Crutchfield has some good documentation that ships with all their stuff. And while I didn't install it correctly the first time, digging through all the random documentation has helped.
On the harness that Crutchfield gave me, one wire was blue with a white stripe, and the other was blue. Regardless, you need to connect them to turn the power amp on, which'll power your speakers.
I hope this has helped!
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bk
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/05/2004
22:11:02
| RE: My factory system has an external amp!!!
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i just got pissed and bypassed everything.. i cut the amp harned and connected the blue to the blue (inputs from HU to outs from amp to speaker to bypass the amp) it was alot of testing but i didi it .. btw when i bought my car there was nothing.. not one speaker or radio.. just 7 holes in the car.. i had the infinity system to.. but come summer i am going to transfer all my gear and make the dodge my comp car instead of my buick (rattles to much).. but thanks..
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NATEDAWGG01
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/14/2005
13:00:07
|  RE: My factory system has an external amp!!!
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Message:
i ran into the same problem. cd player works but no sound. i want to bypass the factory amp, i'm sure that my pioneer has more power than that stock amp does. is there an easy way to just cut that amp out of the loop? or do i have to rewire those speakers direct to the new hu?
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Coma
GenIII
3/18/2005
19:45:27
| RE: My factory system has an external amp!!!
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Has anyone kept the factory head unit and just replaced the factory amp? I like having the CD/Cassette/3 band EQ factory head unit. The quality is good enough for me, but I can't get some CD's and my XM Sat. Radio to play loud enough at times.
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Keith
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/18/2005
21:11:19
| RE: My factory system has an external amp!!!
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I kept my factory head and removed factory amp,,replaced it with an Alpine amp 40x4 it was louder way louder just not crisp and clear ,, hurt my head I replaced head with Alpine cda 9831 1000xs better sound cant even compare..
I think one reason is stock head does not have preouts for amp so you need to get an amp with speaker level inputs or buy converters either way signal not too good so you end up with loud not so good signal
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ben
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/22/2005
22:50:37
| RE: My factory system has an external amp!!!
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Its weird that the 00 and newer daks are a freakin pain to get off, yet the 97-99 dashes are the esiest I have ever seen in my life. I had a 99 dakota and i timed how long it took to get the dash off... 7 seconds. All you have to do is yank it off! haha ( its only got clips and once its doen the HU is free).. wonder why they made it so harder for the newer daks
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Izzy
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/23/2005
13:54:23
| RE: My factory system has an external amp!!!
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My 2000 Dak Dash pops off in like a second. Adjust tilt steering down and pull on dash cover and off it comes. With a 10mm socket wr4ench in hand, I can pull my dash cover and radio in less than 20 seconds.
- Pull dash cover
- 2 screws for radio
- 2 plugs and antenna connector on radio
Big hole in dash left.
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dennis
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/07/2005
22:18:37
| RE: My factory system has an external amp!!!
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I have an 02 Quadcab and was wondering about leaving the factory system the way it is and adding a sub amp. can I do this without screwing up the clarity of the system? If so, how.
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