funnyent

I have a bad amp in my C230 causing the battery to drain and the dealer wanted 2k to replace, so instead I just had them pull the fuse, and no more drain. However, the speakers obviously don't work now. The fuse is in the box right to the left side of the steering wheel. Can I pop the positive wire off of the back of the fuse holder for the amp and add an on/off switch to it? I was going to drill a hole right below the parking brake release and add an on/off switch there. I believe this should then cut the fuse off when I flip the switch, thus turing off the defective amp and saving my car from having to be jump started.

Does it matter if I add the switch to the positive or negative wire, and this should work right? I'm hoping to save the 2k here and have this simple solution since I may not keep the car for much longer but still want a stereo.

Thanks for your help,
Tim

DACHIGGA

Just add a relay to switched power and you'll have the amp turn when you turn on the car so you don't need a switch.

funnyent

I'm sorry, but could you please explain this a little more? Is there an easy tap into switched power by fuse box there? Do you think this is an easy job (I don't have much experience with car wiring)?

Thanks so much for you help, I didn't even know that this was an option!

Tim

phister

Why not just look for a used amp?

funnyent

I've been searching for a used amp, but even then the ones I've found have been around $700.

I'm hoping this relay fuse thing will work, I probably will only keep the car for another year and then upgrade to a CLA so I don't want to put too much in it.

Boom vang

great idea

Boom vang

Unless you are considering the CLA45 I think that you will be disappointed in the base CLA, FWD sucks

funnyent

So could I use one of these, and hook the amp up to the cigar lighter fuse under the hood?

funnyent

Or this?
Sorry, but I am very naive with electrical stuff.

phister

all you really want to do is add a toggle switch to the positive line that goes to the amp constant wire. it sounds like the ign switch wire that turns the amp on when the ignition is turned on stays active the whole time even when the car is off. What you can do it locate that wire either by locating it on the amp or the back of the radio and add a toggle switch to that wire and just switch it on and off when the car is on or off. All it basically is, is like a light switch that cuts off the current to the amp. You can mail off the amp to a shop and have them repair it. I ship my amps to www.db-r.com top notch guy that does oem and aftermarket amp repairs and is priced great... prices usually range from 150-300 depending on what needs to be repaired. he fixed my Memphis Big Belle amp for 175.

funnyent

Thanks so much!