Hey everyone - new to the forum and I've done some searching and seen all kinds of answers, so I thought I'd just post a thread to get a clear answer, instead of running in to some of the other problems I've seen

I've got an EX-P with the factory subwoofer and amplifier

What I would like to do......

I have a second subwoofer and amp, so what I would like to know is....

"Where do I wire in to the factory amp to get sound to the amplifier in the back for the second sub?" I don't need power or anything and I've read alot about the RCA splice, but I wanted to know if I need to cut any wires, splice any wires, or if it's a direct connection with some adapters? Also, do I make the splice before or after the factory amplifier?

I've seen a lot of wiring diagrams and I haven't gotten in to my element, so where is the amplifier and does anyone have a picture of the connections? Thanks

In summary, how do I add a second sub to my Element using the factory amplifier to supply sound, but not power?

J and A

Quick addition, I still want to use the factory headunit too, that's why I need to splice in to the amp.....I think

I can't answer your big question, but I think the OEM amp is in the R/H kick panel (passenger side, forward of the door, behind the plastic trim).

Personally I'd ditch (or leave in place but not running) the stock sub and use the plug that goes to the stock deck's sub output and solder on a male RCA cable to run to your second amp.

Otherwise if you want to use the powered output from the stock amp you'll have to get a line adapter so you don't fry your other amp's input side. In which case you're once again back at soldering into wires anyway.

Ok, so at the bottom of the OEM, I installed a LOC using the wiring diagram here

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42074&highlight=wiring+diagram

Now I don't get practically any sound from the new subwoofer, even with adjusting all the gains, but the stock system is working fine.

Did I tap in the wrong wires? Any suggestions? I tapped in to the wires for the front and rear speakers, but I think I am going to go back and change all those now to the subwoofer wires.

did you tap behind the radio or at the amp? if you are behind the radio then you need not the LOC. if you are at the amp, you need to be on the output side of the amp (going out to the speakers) if you plan on using the LOC. either way i would recommend using the sub wiring so you have level control over your new amp from the radio like the stock sub. if you grab sub wires behind the radio, no LOC, if you get them after the amp before the stock sub, use LOC

I tried the LOC, no luck, it's overloading the amp still

Finally, before reading your reply, I said F it and just tapped to the sub outputs before the amp, but now if sounds like crap.

So I've got subwoofer cables, when I strip then, there is a black and a clear. I put the clears together on the - and the blacks on the +, but I get the best response only plugging in one RCA.

So, how should I connect the RCAs to the pre-amp sub wires to use both RCAs and get the right sound without overloading the second amp? This has been a 13 hour nightmare and it's definitely not my first sub/amp install but my second failure trying to do it without aftermarket RCA stereo outputs.

i would like to add a five channel amp after the OEM amp. is this possible? if so how do i approach getting it done? i have to keep the OEM HU because i have a lifetime subscription to XM RADIO, if i change the HU then i lose my subscription and have to purchase a new one. and that SUCKS. i replaced the OEM speakers in the doors with POLK AUDIO DB651's and lack the volume that the OEM speakers had.

i have to keep the OEM HU because i have a lifetime subscription to XM RADIO, if i change the HU then i lose my subscription and have to purchase a new one. and that SUCKS.

I know this is off topic from the heading of this thread but.....

Are you sure about that? On my wife's truck I switched out different radios (Sirius) and did not loose any money that I put into my subscription. It was not lifetime but I pay quarterly and there was at least a month left on her old Sirius radio when I made the switch...it was a simple ESN change.