I added a 800watt amp and sub to my 97 xj and it works great but when ever the car is running and I’m using it the ecm seems to get very hot and petrude a electrical burning smell it has yet to not do anything to the running of the car I still feel like I should be concerned any ideas on how to get this to stop none of my wires are crossed touching or even unorganized could it just be the amp draws to much power?

 

800 watts !? WOW thats a sound system that should be wired make a home run to the battery with it's own fuse

 

Have you added a ground wire from the battery to the inner fender? If not, you should...

 

It absolutely should not cause any issue with the ECU assuming everything is hooked up fine. First thing I would do is unhook all the new amp wire and see if the ECU still has issues. After that I would hook the amp back up and check if it does it with the radio turned off but hooked up. I would go through and upgrade/clean all your ground points and battery terminals as well.

I have a 5ch 1500w Sundown amp in my 2001 and it doesn't bother the ECU in anyway.

 

800 watts is a lot of electrical intensity. Is the Amp on its own independent circuit directly to the battery? "Fused of course" Not feeding it off the factory harness are ya. You're probably dropping voltage across the vehicle.

 

800w @12v = a little less then 67 amps and a 70 amp fuse
1500w @12v = 125 amps

 

I'm new to Jeep , I'm surprised the ECM is that robust... If its heating up to a point you can small it... and the ecm recovers, that's impressive! Just like everyone's saying.. disconnect and rethink the wiring..