Audio Systems Find answers to all of your stereo, speaker and other audio technology questions here.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Amplifier issues

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 18, 2016 | 08:46 PM
  #1  
Jsnake's Avatar
Jsnake
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Default Amplifier issues

Hey guys and girls, I was hoping someone can help me with a problem with my amp. I have a 2003 Electra glide classic and my amp is part #77179-01. It's the enhanced sound system. Problem: just recently my amp would cut out, there would be no sound, stereo is still on and fuse has not blown. If I turn stereo off for a while, say 20-30 minutes and then turn it back on, I would have sound again. If I crank it up then it would shut down again. I tried to have the stereo on and the volume on real low thinking that maybe the amp is overheating and shutting down but even on low it still shuts down. It's driving me crazy!! I was thinking about buying a new amp but I would like to get the exact same amp and I can't find one. My amp is mounted under my tourpak. I checked the wiring and everything thing seems to be good. Remember that I am an electrician and can trouble shoot very well but this has got me stumped. Anyone else have a similar problem?? I would love to hear from you. I would really appreciate any help. Thanks everyone and ride safe!!
 
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2016 | 09:46 PM
  #2  
Budda109's Avatar
Budda109
Road Captain
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 668
Likes: 72
From: Wisconsin
Default

Bad HU. IMO
 
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2016 | 06:15 PM
  #3  
Jsnake's Avatar
Jsnake
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Default

Bad head unit? I don't think so, I definitely think it's the amp. It seems like it over heats then once it cools down it starts to work again. Maybe bad heat sinks?? What does IMO stand for?
 
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2016 | 06:33 PM
  #4  
Budda109's Avatar
Budda109
Road Captain
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 668
Likes: 72
From: Wisconsin
Default Amp

IMO means In my opinion. Sorry about that. Have a buddy going thru this now. Heat sinks per say don't go bad unless they are just loose. They are just metal that take on the heat. When an amp goes into protect mode it can be loose wires. I would think it's hooked up right because it was working for a while right? Check loose speaker wires and polarity. If you can get it to work by turning it on and off. I still say it's the HU. If you have a speaker switch flip that on and off see if it cones back for a bit. When you turn it on and off it is a reset of the HU. Which is why it would cone back up. Good luck.
 
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2016 | 07:10 PM
  #5  
Jsnake's Avatar
Jsnake
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Default

Thanks Budda for the quick response. It's ironic that you said loose wires because three weeks ago I had a problem where my accessory fuse kept blowing. It would knock out my brake lights, oil temperature gauge light, odometer, turn signals and the AMP!!! I spent 9 hours on a Saturday looking for the problem and I finally found it (at 10 pm and a twelve pack later) LOL Anyway it was in my switch housing on my clutch side. I opened it up and found a ground wire and a hot wire (which is the same circuit as my amp) where chafed and shorting out when I pulled the clutch in. The clutch handle was rubbing against the wires and it was intermittent. I fixed it and my fuse doesn't blow no more. But after that problem that's when my amp started to act up. I wonder if while I was moving wires around and I moved a ton of wires all over my bike that I may have loosened up a ground wire for the amp. Do you think a loose ground could be the problem??
 
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2016 | 10:12 PM
  #6  
Budda109's Avatar
Budda109
Road Captain
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 668
Likes: 72
From: Wisconsin
Default

If when you turn it on it shuts down. I would say make it so you can see the amp. There should be a protection light. In most cases it is red and is labeled, If there is a light and it does not come on but you lose sound. It is the HU, If the red light come on it could still be HU but most likey something else. If there was a short. Some electronics are less forgiving when there is a problem. Stock HU's are very weak IMO. Start with the stuff you can see and go from there. Check all connections. If you know how to use a meter check the coil on your speakers If the speaker are stock they should be 2 ohms. Accross the coil you should ream 2 ohms on each of the 4 speakers.
 
Reply
Old Jul 22, 2016 | 06:44 PM
  #7  
Zip77's Avatar
Zip77
Former Sponsor
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 142
Likes: 6
From: Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
Default

Just to clarify.. so i totally understand.. the amp.. is it an aftermarket amp put in? or is a stock amp? In my opinion.. if it is the stock amp .. its the amp.. its prob just gone bad.. id replace it. Just my thoughts though
 
Reply
Old Jul 22, 2016 | 07:15 PM
  #8  
Gannicus's Avatar
Gannicus
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 6,621
Likes: 412
From: Indianapolis IN.
Default

Originally Posted by Jsnake
Hey guys and girls, I was hoping someone can help me with a problem with my amp. I have a 2003 Electra glide classic and my amp is part #77179-01. It's the enhanced sound system. Problem: just recently my amp would cut out, there would be no sound, stereo is still on and fuse has not blown. If I turn stereo off for a while, say 20-30 minutes and then turn it back on, I would have sound again. If I crank it up then it would shut down again. I tried to have the stereo on and the volume on real low thinking that maybe the amp is overheating and shutting down but even on low it still shuts down. It's driving me crazy!! I was thinking about buying a new amp but I would like to get the exact same amp and I can't find one. My amp is mounted under my tourpak. I checked the wiring and everything thing seems to be good. Remember that I am an electrician and can trouble shoot very well but this has got me stumped. Anyone else have a similar problem?? I would love to hear from you. I would really appreciate any help. Thanks everyone and ride safe!!
J -
Don't recognize the amp part number. What amp?
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 22, 2016 | 07:42 PM
  #9  
Jsnake's Avatar
Jsnake
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Default

My amp is a Harley Davidson amp. In fact it is a ESS.... Meaning Enhanced Sound System. It is bad ***... When it was working right. �� I have the original HD Head unit with CD and that is working fine. I just unplugged my rear speakers in an attempt to isolate the problem and it seemed to work with out cutting out. But when I took it for a ride the sound cut out again!! If I turn the stereo and the bike off for a few minutes (3,4,5 minutes) then it will work for a little while... But if I crank up the volume it will cut out!! I am at a total loss to the problem!! Remember that I am a union electrician for the last 31 years and have a great understanding of electric and electronics, but this has me totally stumped!!! Any more ideas?? I would really appreciate any advice or comments. Thanks
 
Reply
Old Jul 22, 2016 | 08:02 PM
  #10  
Gannicus's Avatar
Gannicus
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 6,621
Likes: 412
From: Indianapolis IN.
Default

Let's make one thing perfectly clear. THERE ARE NO BAD *** HARLEY DAVIDSON AMPS!!
Now that we have that out of the way your problem is most likely THE AMP. Those amps have a long history of doing exactly as you described. IMO it's getting hot and going into protect mode. Time to let it go my man.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Edward Evans
Audio Systems
3
Apr 22, 2019 03:11 PM
big- mike
Audio Systems
8
Apr 7, 2019 05:12 PM
Mixter
Touring Models
7
Oct 18, 2011 10:12 AM
dubc
Touring Models
15
Apr 12, 2010 09:18 PM
Modee1245
Touring Models
6
Aug 31, 2009 11:38 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:05 PM.

story-0
10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

Slideshow: Not every motorcycle can be a design icon, and these machines prove that bold styling doesn't always age gracefully.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-1
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-5
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-9
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE