Hi all,

I decided to do a sub install on my 11 tC and ran into some issues. I was planning to use a stereointegrity BM MKIII slim sub with a Zapco C2k-2.0x amp into the stock head unit. Now my problem, for some reason i am unable to get my amp to turn on unless i tap my remote wire into a BLUE/GREY wire that gives me constant power. Even in that situation i am unable to get a signal into my sub using the stock head unit RCA outs. I have went into the head unit settings menu and turned the Sub Cont. setting into the ON position but still cannot get the sub to start kicking in.

Everything i have read online tells me that i should either tap into the BLUE 12v wire or the BLUE/WHITE power antenna wire with the amp remote wire however when i tap the BLUE 12v wire i can only get the amp's fans to turn on but the green amp on light on the amp remains off and tapping into the power antenna wire gives me nothing. I tried this exact same setup in my friend's 02 accord and it works fine. I have tried swapping different amps and was only able to get a 100w zapco (forgot model) amp to turn on using the BLUE 12v wire however it would still not get the sub going.

Using a power tester it shows power going into the amp and the remote shows power going in but nothing going out. Does anyone have any ideas as to what could be wrong/what i could possibly try? I am at a complete loss! Please note i am pretty newb to all this so any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

You do have constant power going to the amp off the battery, yes? Prefferably with a nice big beefy wire and fuse.

 

Yeah i have battery cable from battery to fuse box with a 50amp fuse into amp. Ground is into the chassis by the driver side rear under the tray thing.

 

hmmm

Well if you have constant 12v going to the amp as well as a remote 12v, a good ground, and your RCA's are hooked up and the Head Unit is set to send signal to the RCA's. I can't think of anything else.

Try checking your fuses in the amp, and you said you're getting power from the remote wire since you checked it with a voltmeter.... but were you getting a solid 12v?

 

All the fuses on the amp checked out fine. I only tested with a cheap meter with a light that turns on if theres power so Ill try to test it with a actual voltage meter and see what i get. Is there anyway to test if theres an actual signal coming out from the RCA outputs on the head unit? And just to confirm, the 12v wire (i think) im tapping into is on the harness right next to the black antenna plug and is solid blue, does that sound correct? i wish i could find a wiring diagram online :?

 

I know on the Upgraded Alpine unit, the remote wire is the white wire on the largest harness. Not sure if that transfers to the stock unit.

 

^^^It does

 

hmm well then that changes things! thanks for the suggestions, hopefully it doesnt rain this weekend and i can get back in there and try it out! thanks again!

 

Did you get everything working?

I'm in the process of installing my amp right now. I just finished running my power wire through the firewall and have everything mocked up, I just need to tap the remote wire. Is it, indeed, the white wire?

 

Hey there,

I havent had a chance to try anything yet. the weather has been bad here in socal plus the past holidays and my busy schedule has kept me from testing it out. maybe you can give it a shot and let me know??

 

Quick update: the solid white wire on the big harness is the correct remote wire. got everything up and running this weekend, thanks for the help all!

 

Figured I would ask for help in this thread since a few of ya' seem to have it all figured out.
So I am going to install my amp/sub this weekend. Done it several times in the past, never on a Scion Tc or a factory head unit. I know the H.U. has RCA outputs.
What I need to know is are there any particular things to watch out for when puling the plastic around the radio. It appears to just snap in. Any hidden screws? Also are the subwoofer outputs labeled on back of the H.U. or do you have to guess?
I remember the white wire is the remote...hehe
If I disconnect the battery terminal to do all the wiring then reattach it, will the H.U. work? Does it lock up and force you to call Scion or worse....Take the car to the dealer to get it working again? Thanks in advance. And to all the flamers, yes I searched!

 

you are correct, the dash piece will just pull out. the clips may be a bit tough the first time, but just put some grunt into it and youll be fine. there are screws holding the radio in and that is about it. The RCA outputs are on the right hand side of the unit. dont remember seeing them labeled. I havent bought my amp yet, so I haven't tapped any wires back there. everyone says the white wire on the "biggest" harness is the right one, but im slightly color blind and had a tough time differentiating which to splice. I might just run the remote wire to a seperate hidden switch

 

Thanks for the tips. Is there a good spot in the firewall to run the power wire through? I don't mind drilling, but I prefer not too.
I will probably install mine Sat. If I can be a bit more specific about the white remote wire afterwards, I'll post up.
UPS is delivering today and I have to work a 12 hr. nightshift..... It is going to KILL me sitting there in the house. Been a long time since I had a sub. in my ride.

 

If you look under the passenger dash, you'll see 2 spots that are easy to use. One already has a load of wires coming through. That one has about 6 spots open to use. Just cut it on both sides, and send the wire through. I didn't use a coat hanger and anything, it took about 15 minutes. Ill take pictures if you cant find it, but its pretty easy to spot once you pop the hood or dive under the dash

 

if i remember correctly the white remote wire will be the only solid white wire meaning no grey stripes on it. rca's arent labeled but theres only 2 of them a red and a white so its pretty easy to figure out. as for wiring i just went with the stock grommets used for the factory wiring. takes a little to get it through but its not too hard if you have someone pull from one side while the other pushes it in.

 

Thanks tons guys. i owe you! Now if the @#$% UPS guy can find my house tomorrow, I will be set. Pizza guys can find it no problem... UPS nope!!! I was expecting to wake up to a nice box of goodies today, as it was supposed to be delivered this afternoon. Ruined my whole night! **** better not be trying keep my stuff!