Remote turn-on help

[AZhitman]

I have a passive EQ and 2 amps. EQ sometimes turns on with the head unit and sometimes it doesn't.

Since I'm gonna be moving it to the glove box (to make room for gauges) I need it to turn on every time.

Any ideas on why it's intermittent?

Thanks guys.

[Rex]

I'm gonna assume all this equipment is used, so I'd put a toggle switch in between the eq and a 12 volt constant and see if you can consistently (manually) trigger it. Once you eleminate the eq as being an issue, measure the output/voltage on the trigger (from HU) and see if it's sufficient to support turning on that many devices. Some, older HU's didn't offer an amp turn on and piggy-backing too many things on the power antenna lead would have a similar effect. Also, check grounds, they can be a key to intermittent problems.

[Silvia2b]

Rex has it right, many head units particularly Sonys had less than 250ma turn-on capabilties. This is just enough to power a SPDT relay. The constant power supply for most passive EQ's could be equal to as much as 10amps. Which EQ do you have? Where is the passive eq currently mounted, under the deck? Is this in the Q or vert? and like Rex said make sure both deck and Eq are securely grounded, not just mounted to the ISO brakets. good luck, keep us posted.

[AZhitman]

Head unit is an older Kenwood, EQ is a Sony.

Both are grounded with the factory harness.

EQ is mounted directly under the HU, in the 'vert.

[Silvia2b]

If you used the factory harness ground you are probably o.k. there are some systems, particularly the ones without factory amps that DO NOT have a ground in the harness. if you use a common aftermarket harness(i.e. metra, scoche, bestkits etc...), the ground black wire in the harness when plugged into the factory harness there will not be a wire to mate with on the factory side for the ground connection. This is a very common issue. I have customers trying to do this in Nissans all the time. If you are unsure of the capabilities of your headunit you can try this; run a hard line in from the battery, fused of course, to terminal 87 of a 30amp bosch relay, and terminal 30 will be the output to all remotely activated equipment (amps, EQ , power antenna etc...) of the other 3 terminals only 2 will be used. Terminals 85 and 86, these two are the coil side of the relay. One needs power supplied by a remote turn on blue or blue with blu/white (depends on the specific model and how old it is, sometimes the blue is for power antenna turn on only and will shut off when the cd player is activated.) the. The other terminal can be connected to a wire grounded directly to the chassis of the vehicle. Terminal 87a will not be used. It doesn’t matter which terminal is connected to the turn on and which is connected to a ground. I m no sure this is the problem, you're having but it is a strong possiblity. Could also be something like a loose fuse on the eq power harness.