so last night i finally got my amp and sub hooked up. but when i started my car this morning it wouldnt turn on. everything was still connected properly, so i figured maybe the fuse on the power wire blew. but when i replaced the fuse, still nothing.. could the amp be fried? i bought it off my manager and it had always worked great for him.

 

first get a dmm. (digital multi meter. they can be found at walmart for about 12 dollars.)

then you need to check the remote wire with that. make sure you are getting a 12v signal.
then check the power wire. do this by + probe in the wire and negative to bare unpainted metal. (if you cant find any you may need to scratch a little paint with the probe)
if this has power you need to check the ground. take the negative probe and stick it into your ground wire. see if your meter still shows voltage.

let us know the results of this test and we can help you from there.

also is it not lighting up? or are your speakers just not playing?

 

No it was not lighting up at all, but I found the problem. It was the remote wire coming out of the radio. It had gotten loose somehow.. But only to my disappointment... I think my sub is blown anyways. It sounds all flappy and distorted.

 

if its moving the vc is probably not blown. but you can check this with the dmm as well. stick the probes in the terminals and set it to resistance. (the omega symbol) see what it says 0 or is jumping around drastically then the vc is blown. is the surround torn? pull the sub is the spider torn or loose? could be an air leak in the box. <more likely than the sub blown. or your amp is not set up right. you may be clipping.

also if you solder and heat shrink connections you wont have problems with them coming loose.

 

Pic of sub install? Howis gain set? Factory Or aftermarket HU? What amp?