Why does my stereo cut off when you mash play it makes a popping noise through the speaker and shuts off.

SOURCE: car stereo cuts out

It is possible a self-protect feature may be shutting down output. Check all of your wiring, following the manufacturer's instructions exactly. Faulty wiring is a major cause of poofed audio output devices in car audio. Any short in wiring, or an open (intermittent or otherwise) can cause a problem here. Internally, bad solder connections where the output devices solder to the board could cause problems too.

SOURCE: popping noise in new stereo install

Does this only happen when you turn the stereo on? If so, it's perfectly normal. It happens when the amplifier in your stereo powers up. It's an older car with "unshielded" wiring that isn't going to be grounded properly. Oh, and to answer your question, yes, the plus (+) and minus (-) are for positive (+) and negative (-) terminals. Make sure that red is on positive and black is on negative. Reversing the polarity (installing the wires backwards) normally won't make the system stop working but it can damage your new speakers.

You also should make sure that you've connected the stereo ground. It will probably be screwed onto the back of the stereo and if there isn't a provided green wire in the bundle coming from the car than you'll just need to find a place to attach it to the car's metal chassis.

SOURCE: when i turn the volume

It seems you needs more power to maintain the level of good sound.Maybe the maximum volume is 30 - then the mininum is 15 and you can't hear any cracking sound. If you exceed 15 the minimum, as you said starting 17 - 20 you hear crackling sound .Then you reach ,what they called the "cliping level"so much distortion and crackling sound,your stereo too small to accomodate .You must add a power amplifier so crackling will gone and to fit your listening pressure...

Hope it may help you;

Regards,
VOTIT

SOURCE: jenson 4chnl amp pushing 4 6x9 jenson speakers,

Turn on thump can vary from a slight pop to a mind shattering, teeth rattling BOOM! This thump is caused by the audio circuitry stabilizing when power is applied. Most amplifiers and source units have muting circuitry that lasts a couple of seconds to allow these fluctuations to subside before passing a signal. However, if the amplifier un-mutes before the source unit or any other accessory, you better watch out. Here are some things to try if you have turn on thump.

1. Verify that the amp has a good audio ground reference. In order for the amps to function properly, the audio ground must be referenced to chassis ground at the source unit. If it is not, the amplifier could oscillate. To check for a good ground reference, take a volt-ohm meter (VOM) and measure the resistance between the chassis of the radio and the shield of the RCA line level outputs of the radio. This reading should indicate a direct short. If this is not the case, grounding the shield of the RCA line level outputs to the chassis of the radio will probably be necessary.
2. Don't install the system so the amplifiers can be switched on when the source unit is turned off.
3. If you still have thump, add a turn on delay module in line with the remote turn on wire to the amp.

SOURCE: speakers are popping

you may have a bad cord to your speaker or a bad rca cord ive had some what the same thing it turned out too be a bad groung on the rca cord