the first thing u MUST do is to find a wire diagram, and if u really cant find one, let us know. i have them for every year, but alot of them are incorrect (like a few wires not going to the right area)
anyway, u need to get a diagram of the amp so u can test the wires right before the wires connect to the amp
test the power wires, the ground and the wire the remotly turns it on. it might be something as simple as a fuse, or a wires that got discounted somehow. its better then just replacing things.
anyway, if there IS power going to your amp, then your amp is shot. u can ALWAYS find a used one from someone. alot of people just use a real amp, or disconnect it and use the radio's power to power the speakers. if it is a 98 that u are having trouble with, i could probally just give ya mine.
you could deffiently buy an aftermarket 4 channel amp to replace it. use a crossover to protect your door tweeters, and then u are set.
if u take that path, get a good amp, LOW WATTAGE, under 85 watts per channel, but class AB or something of HIGH QUALITY!!!
use the front speakers connection and connect that to 2 crossovers, then to ALL the front speakers. pair up the door speakers as tweeters on the -6db setting on the crossover, and the kickers in the front as the sub setting on the crossover.
on the rear speakers connection on the amp, just rerun the to the rear speakers.
you will be fine ohms wise because the speaks are MADE to be set up like that, u just need a high quality amp because you want LOW LOW LOW WATTAGE. my amp is LOUD AS ALL HECK, and is only 35 watts per channel. but it is also a crossfire amp and ran me about $350 new. wattage is NOT A RATING OF LOUDNESS.. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HOW LOUD A SPEAKER WILL BE!!! NOTHING>> EVER! AND IF SOMEONE TELLS U DIFFERNT, KILL THEM =]
wattage ONLY tells you how much POWER is sent to a speaker, so you know how to size up the speaker, or know what size amp you need. when u want to look at how LOUD something is, ANYTHING IS, u MUST look at the DB rating. if you want loud, u need more then 90 for average, and 95 - 100 for loud high quality items.
if ya need help,let me know
want proof? look below =]
thats an older picture, and i remove the 15 inch loud speaker now, but that is a $400 sub in that box, and a total of a $1500 sound system =]