I just bought a used Mark Levinson amp that was supposed to be functional. I bought it in order to replace what is believed to be a dead original ML amp.

When I attach the connectors, it instantly blows the fuse. This occurs with the ignition off. If I leave the amp disconnected, the fuse is OK, but will blow as soon as a connection is made. Is this proof that my replacement amp is bad? Are there any other things that can cause this to occur?

 

Stupid question - when you plug in the amp, which fuse blows? The 30A amp fuse?

 

The next question is....has there been any work done prior to the amp going south which could affect wiring in the path of power to the amp, shorted speakers etc.
Have you googled the general topic on line?

 

Did previous amp blow fuse? If not disconnect battery and hook up new amp and connect battery. Amps have large capacitors that take heavy surge at first and could be the spark when connecting connector is blowing fuse. Also check and make sure fuse is right amperage. After this if still blows fuse the amp is bad.

 

Yes, the 30A fuse in the trunk.

 

I will try your method. The fuse is the correct amperage.

I just bought the car. I got it with the fuse blown. The original amp does not blow the fuse, but there is no sound from the speakers with a new fuse in place. This led me to conclude it was the amp. The amp I just bought used from eBay blows the fuse when connected.

 

I just bought the car. I don't know if any work on the speakers was done or if there is a short. No obvious mods have been done. I do know the sub is the stock part.

 

Look at diagram and see which terminals of connector on unit are the standby 12v and use an ohm meter to see if shorted on new unit. The amp in the unit can short and is generally the problem of blowing fuse in any amp. Depending on the protect circuit for the amp will determine if damaged by incorrect ohm speakers or shorted ones. Foam in these speakers go bad and wrong impedance speakers could have been put in. If protect circuit is working it will not blow the fuse but shut off amp output. It will be several weeks before back home to look at diagram but should be one here somewhere. First unit can have completely blown amp literally and be open now why not blowing fuse. Use ohm meter on the new one.