Head Unit Shutting Down At Higher Volume ?

[tahoejag]

Sony cdx m20. At higher volumes, unit will shut down then power back up, and unless volume turned downed, it will shut down again and repeat. This only happens when it is hot outside or played at a higher volume. Is this a normal safety feature? because the back of the unit is SUPER HOT!, almost too hot to the touch. A possible short somewhere?? What to check for?? is this normal???

 

[Silvertip]

If it is too hot to touch it is a fire hazard. It is likely shutting down due to an under or over voltage condition. Check charging system operation.

 

[alldodge]

because the back of the unit is SUPER HOT!, almost too hot to the touch.

My guess is its thermal protected and is shutting down to keep from over heating. Need to increase ventilation if your going to continue to use the head unit this way, maybe install a 12V fan to blow air on it

 

[TCATTC]

Check the Ohm rating on your receiver and your speakers to make sure they are compatible. If the Ohm rating on your speakers is lower than your head unit it could make heat and trip a safety breaker inside the unit.

 

[tahoejag]

After a few tests; speaker ohm rating is okay, 4 ohms. voltage to the radio while power on and engine off is 12.7 volts. Is that too high? should it be only 12 volts? Head unit in the back (the heat sink) is very hot regardless of what volume it is set at. I'm getting stumped here. Still cutting out at higher volumes. May be a overload safety feature only....????

 

[alldodge]

power on and engine off is 12.7 volts. Is that too high?

The 12.7V is correct, if it was going down to 12.0V you need a charge or looking at another battery

With the head unit staying hot no matter what, could be you just have a head unit which is about to burn it self out, either that or something is drawing a lot of power thru the head unit

 

[tahoejag]

Going to do some more testing with it. The unit is brand new, its the second one. The first one did the same thing, however I had the power wires connected incorrectly. It was connected to accessory power instead of to actual power wire. I connected this second unit correctly; but still same result of shut down. That's why I'm leaning toward safety shut-down.???

 

[tahoejag]

After further testing...voltage and ohm rating of speakers test ok. all connections correct. Final verdict...shutting down cause of thermal protection. Also verification was when cooler air temp by 10 20 degrees...had zero issues. thread closed.