DubbsLuvs8s

iTrader: (1)

So I upgraded my stock Bose unit to a Pioneer-P3300BT. All well and good until we tested the sub. The sub (which I had previously installed with the stock unit, tapping off the rear speakers to a speaker-signal-to-RCA converter box, after the BOSE amp...worked fine) is connected to the head unit with RCA cables.

Now, when we connected my sub and amp, they get a signal, but it just doesn't have the power behind it. Hooked up my friends' setup and the same thing happened. Any ideas on why?

I have to pop out the head unit to fix the antenna wire anyway, so I'll check the connections while I'm in there, but I don't think that's the problem. Also, I couldn't find the harness to wire in steering wheel controls for the life of me, any help on that?

FungsterRacing

iTrader: (4)

OK, so before I suggest anything - Are you trying to run the Bose Amp and sub, along with your own amp/sub setup? Using 4-8 gauge wiring for the install?

Or are you saying that you disconnected the stock sub, and have connected your sub properly as a stand-alone; that being that you are not using the stock amp or sub anymore?

DubbsLuvs8s

iTrader: (1)

Standalone sub addition.

Pioneer head unit -> RCA cables -> Kicker Amp -> Kicker Sub
Battery -> Power Cable -> Amp

I didn't touch the stock sub, as a matter of fact, I didn't even know there was a stock sub.

When I previously had it installed, before I bought the new head unit, I tapped the rear speakers for the sub input (downstream of Bose amp), and wired the power the same way as now and it worked fine.

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

Everything is working fine. You simply went from a high level speaker lead input (even through a cheap converter) to a real low level RCA connection. Odds are the RCA outputs from the Pioneer are 2V. Reset your amp gain and headunit settings appropriately.

FungsterRacing

iTrader: (4)

^ Sounds exactly correct to me

DubbsLuvs8s

iTrader: (1)

I'll do some more research into the head unit to see if there's a button I need to press.

We hooked up my friends' amp and sub to it (he also runs RCA straight to his amp in his car from an aftermarket head unit) and it was the same problem.

We also fooled around with the gain on it to see if that was a problem...little or no effect.

Thanks for your input guys, confirmed my thoughts that it was probably a setting in the head unit.

DubbsLuvs8s

iTrader: (1)

Ahhh...combed through the manual a little closer and saw there was a box you had to hit to switch the rear speaker mode from "Full" (just a regular speaker) to "Subwoofer"

Just ran outside and gave it a quick test...seemed like it helped, I'll keep playing with the settings on the amp to get it back to where it was.

Thanks guys!

FungsterRacing

iTrader: (4)

Lol the HU settings get the best of us. Sometimes it hardest to think of the little things first; I know what thats like! Good luck getting it louder!

Therum

So how did you integrate the aftermarket head unit into the factory bose system. Did you use a line level converter such as an SVEN4 or did you wired the inputs of the bose amps into the outputs of the head unit. If so that may be your problem. Given the fact that you hooked up a different sub and amp I imagine thats the case. Your head unit has 4v preouts on it. Thats more than enough signal for most amps to make full power at minimum gain. The rear and sub setting shouldnt really matter since it already has 3 sets of preouts. Just check the sub level to make sure that it isnt set at minimum. So.. I'm also guessing that you dont really have to turn it up very far before your door speakers get overly loud and the sub barely seems like its working. Correct?

DubbsLuvs8s

iTrader: (1)

Used the Metra kit...Metra has a go-between box between the aftermarket head unit and the stock radio connection.

Just had to switch the Rear Speaker output to "subwoofer" and everything works as it should. Still going to play with the settings on my sub's amp when I get a chance to make sure everything jives when I get a chance...but it works well now.