I have a 2001 Accord EX V6 that had the stock 6-disc in-dash + tape and 6 speaker system. Ok.. now for the bad part..

I got a Kenwood KDC-X689 headunit and installed it without any issues. The unit worked fine for a few weeks, then I started to notice that the speakers were cutting out. The equalizer on the unit is still showing activity as if it should be playing something, but nothing comes from the speakers no matter what I do.

Thinking that it had something to do with the Kenwood -- I decided to take that out and put the stock unit back in. Of course, I encountered the same issue... or I wouldn't be here. I let the car sit for about an hour while I scratched my head.. returned, put the Kenwood back in -- and it worked for about 5 minutes and cut out again.

My theory is that the Honda factory system I have, has a built-in amp. Where this amp is, is my question. Since the Kenwood has it's own pre-amp built in -- I'm assuming that the Honda amp is overloading and shutting off. "IF" that is the case, I have no problem with removing the stock amp entirely either via a loop cable to bypass it, or just running new wiring to each of the speakers directly from the back of the head unit.

Any thoughts??