I have a 1985 firebird S/E. Stock it had the Bose sound system (long gone) given it had the premium sound package on the dash there is a little slide switch labeled gain. Is there way to wire this to say the Remote wire for my car amp so that I could turn my amp on/off with a factory switch when I want or don't want subs kicking? If so how do I wire it up? I can take someone photos of the wiring for the switch tomorrow.

 

That gain switch is from the UQ7 Sound System.It's actually for the Amp and the Subs.

 

Remove the switch from the dash and check the pins yourself. Find the two pins that make contact when switch is depressed and opens when switch is released. Use this as the switchable ground trigger to a suitable relay to your amp.

 

Don't skip over the part about only using it to trigger a relay. VERY important if you want the switch to live.

 

Don't most amps receive a 'power on' signal from the head unit? I'm not aware of any that just sit there idling 24/7.

Just wire this lead thru the switch.

 

That's what I am referring to the "remote power" typically a blue wire from the head unit to the amp. I am not talking about the heavy gauge power from batt to amp.

 

Without knowing how much current the switch is rated for and how much current is required to trigger the amp remote, you're gambling that it'll work. A mini SPDT 12v relay is a couple bucks worth of good insurance.

 

Based on the wire size i'm certain we're safe without the relay.

 

Oh I misunderstood. I thought you were trying to supply power to an amp. My guess is the little wire that turns the amp "on" is very low current and will be safe run through the gain switch. Just double check the amperage first.

 

As long as its a physical switch and not a dimmer there shouldnt be an issue.
Let me know how it goes ive been trying to think of a dimmer application for the gain slider. Interior colorlow lights maybe

 

So I tried to test this setup out and I had no power on my head unit today. Gotta take some dash apart and figure out if I disconnected something or see if head unit power is somehow running through that factory switch.