I have a pretty basic question: When installing an amp, where do you run the power from the battery through the firewall? The only place I can find is the little rubber gasket on the top passenger side. I'd much rather run the wire under the dash, down by the pedals. But if you have to use the gasket, how do you get the dash off to finish running the wire? Thanks.
#191, "RE: Amp Installation" In response to Reply # 1
There is a rubber boot that comes out into the engine bay on the passenger side underneath the glove box. You can just push the wire through with the help of a rod or tool. Just be careful not to hit the wires. I pushed my power cables through the side of the boot and used a long pair of pliers to pull them up to the battery. (its a long reach!) I fit a 4ga and an 8ga wire through there so there is plenty of space.
#192, "RE: Amp Installation" In response to Reply # 2
I always heard about that, but never did find that boot. I personally didn't want to run my power wire all through the engine bay to the passenger side, so I drilled a hole in the firewall on the driver's side where the battery is. I have 4 gauge wire, so I drilled a pretty big hole (a little too big). Anyone know if I need to seal it somehow?
#193, "RE: Amp Installation" In response to Reply # 3
Two things you can do is go to an automotive supply store, and get the stuff(black sticky putty shit)they use to seal the plastic to the door under the door skin. The other thing is to buy a gromet to fit the hole, and re-run your wire through the gromet.I think this is the better thing to do because with wear and tear on the wire rubbing on the burr of the hole you drilled may cut through the insulation on the wire, and POOF!!!!
I don't see the boot you are talking about. Under the glove box, there are wires coming in from the engine compartment, but they go downwards and I can't see where they come out on the other side. I'd still have to drill.
Right now I've ghetto-rigged my power cable by running it under the hood and then through the door. You can't see it when everything is closed, but yesterday I discovered that it creates a slight leak. So now I have to drill after all.
I figured out how to use the infamous boot: You shove a screwdriver straight through it and the run your wire through the hole you create. Everything is wired fine now. There's only one problem. My amp doesn't work anymore. One minute it does, and the next it doesn't. This is really pissing me off.
Sounds like either a loose power connection, or maybe the remote turn on wire...check all your wiring, if any of it is exposed or cut, it may be grounding out sometimes so your amp isn't getting power...
#198, "RE: Amp Installation" In response to Reply # 0
Look the easiest place to throw the wires through, in my opinion is the following:
(i actually figured this out right before i actually ran the wires. The person who installed my alarm ran the alarm cables through here.)
If you look under the dash, right under the steering wheel is a rubber boot that is connected to the steering column. Pierce a small hole in the boot and run the cables through there. This way is better due to the fact that this opening to the firewall is only about a foot and a half from the battery. the rest is a breeze.
#199, "RE: Amp Installation" In response to Reply # 9
Here's how I ran my wires through the rubber thing, first poke a hole with a screwdriver, then bend a metal clothes hanger straight (cut some off) tie the wire to the hanger and push it through.
". . .the Eclipse/Talon looks like it's going a hundred miles an hour when it's sitting in the driveway."
