I'm in the process of finishing an install of an N4 in a Lincoln Blackwood - which has a factory subwoofer. Everything seems to be working ok with this exception:

On vehicle startup the subwoofer makes a sharp popping sound. I've connected the blue / whites on the adapter cables and the red RCA cable to the subwoofer RCA cable (apparently it doesn't matter if it connects to the white or red).

I've contacted Crutchfield and they indicated it has to do with the Ford stereo being 5V and the N4 being 12. They suggested I go to RadioShack and get a step down converter and splice inline - but indicated it would get very hot.

Thoughts? Is there something better? Did I just not set something up properly?

Thanks

I did a search (my bad, should have done prior to posting) and found that folks are inserting a 3k ohm or 3.3k ohm resistor inline on the blue/white connector for the Ford harnesses.

Anyone know of how much heat the resistor will generate? Hopefully, very little.

Thanks in advance

Nothing to worry about.

One more question -

RadioShack has a 1/2 watt or 1/4 watt 3.3k ohm resistor. Which do I need.. or does it matter?

Thanks

it doesnt matter which one as long as it is 3k-3.3k

If you're worried about heat then get the 1/4 watt resistor.Thou you probably can't tell the diiference the warmth emits.

Thanks for the info. I just didn't want a "glowing ember" sitting inside my dashboard... It sounds like the resistors won't really get hot and I'll be ok with either.

David