whoa! whats that funky smell? (56K beware)

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2008 mazdaspeed3 GT
Well, i think i totally killed something in my trunk....or at least it smells like it. My sister and friend were in my car the other day and they both said that it had a sour smell to it. I really have a weird sense of smell and didnt really notice it but i figured i would get my car washed and shampooed. Yesterday i had the day off and i took my car down to this little car wash place to get her all nice and clean again. When i was finally called over to my car i went into the trunk to get a book and thats when i finally could smell the sour smell. I called the guy over who was shampooing the car and he too could smell it. After looking closer, i could see that the screws that were holding down the amp were all jacked up and corroded and it looked like someone had poured that white chalk stuff you see thats used on football fields all over the amp. Only difference is that this stuff is very hard. I called my friend who helped me set up this rig (mind you, its not completed. we were going to mount everything on a custom wood box) and he told me to drive over so he could look at it. When i got there, i told him that the sub was still working along with the cap. He got in for a closer look and still doesnt have any idea what happened. So, i thought i would come here and let you all take a look at the pictures to see if you can shed any light as to what went down.....

amp3.jpg


amp2.jpg


amp1.jpg
 
Looks like water is getting into in the trunk. Maybe due to a leak.

Pull all that up and see if there is water/dampness under it.
 
Are those screws going into metal underneath? If so, they are probably grounding the amp instead of the ground cable.

Additionally, it looks like some of the leads for your cap may come in contact with the heat sink of the amp. Again, it could be grounding out that way too.

Any time power is not going where you intend it to...bad things can happen.

But you are right...it does look like it has gotten wet. I would disconnect everything until you are ready to do a proper install. The last thing you want is for your car to catch fire.
 
chuyler1 said:
Are those screws going into metal underneath? If so, they are probably grounding the amp instead of the ground cable.

Additionally, it looks like some of the leads for your cap may come in contact with the heat sink of the amp. Again, it could be grounding out that way too.

Any time power is not going where you intend it to...bad things can happen.

But you are right...it does look like it has gotten wet. I would disconnect everything until you are ready to do a proper install. The last thing you want is for your car to catch fire.

Agreed, that does not look safe at all. I would take that out as soon as possible, and then later do a much better job at putting it back in safely.

If you need any help with installing let me know, I could walk you through it and make sure you aren't doing anything dangerous.
 
thanks for the help guys. ive taken the system out of my trunk and i will look under the carpet to see if there is any water build up. Im pretty sure its not water since its hasnt rained out here for what seems like months and i dont store anything in the trunk but the amp, cap, and sub. Ill report back later with my findings......btw, does anyone know how much it is to replace the carpet overlay in the trunk?
 
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