Xavid wrote:
Great long weekend at gorgeous Lake Cumberland last week, but I had some problems. Everything including the sound system worked well on the first day, and then i noticed an annoying scratch/hiss from the port/rear speaker that was intermittent. I pulled out the cooler and inspected the wiring and pulled the grille and looked at the speaker/cone- all seemed normal. I just ended up turning the radio off and we soon went in. Next day, batts were dead, couldn't hold a charge, after succesfully jump starting it and running for an hour. Maybe I left the nav light or the blower on, or the radio was actually never off, I don't know for sure. I had the marina mechanic install two new batts, and all was well except now only the bow speakers work. Fader adjustment doesn't help, and it's the same for aux, fm, am, and cd. I have the Clarion radio, with an amp in front of the helm (fuses ok). Also, it's the same on batt select 1,2, or both. I don't really know how to troubleshoot this, and any help would be appreciated. Also the sub doesn't work either if that helps.
Maybe I am talking out of turn, or failed to read something from all the past postings!! IF so, SORRY. I am reading into this problem and I think ric is right "You're troubleshooting everything but what the real problem"
First off, I would always turn the batteries off when leaving the boat. Now you are stating that only the bow speakers are working. So the head is powering the bow speakers. The amp is not turning on to power the rest of them. That only leaves about 2 things, remember too "The amp works when I supply power externally." but you are not stating how you powered it. Bad, Neg or Pos wire (could be disconneted when the new battery went in), blown fuse (which you have checked).
The auto power lead (not sure what to call it) is good because the amp did turn on. The tone generators are a great tool, but make sure you disconnect the end of the wire you are working with from any thing else. If not, it may bring the signal down, making if hard to find. If you did leave the wire on the amp, disconnect it & try again to find the other end. Sometimes it is easier to run a new wire, capping off the old one and be done with it. I would connect it to the common side of the battery switch and of course, fuse it.