Stereos act up sometimes and fail to deliver the awesomeness they are used to giving you. No matter how recent the installation may be, these systems are never free of issues, with some problems being a real pain in the car. In the majority of forums dedicated to car audio equipment, it’s evident that some car audio problems are more common than others. We are going to find answers to some of the most frequent questions on car audio system problems.
You can also see more tips of common problems, symptoms, and solutions to gain more tips on how to get your car stereo up and running.
Frequently asked questions on common car stereo problems
Why are my car speakers not working?
You turn your radio on but can’t hear any sound from your speakers. You will have to investigate a number of culprits: the head unit, wiring, and the amp.
Follow these steps to determine the source of the problem:
Head unit is not on antitheft mode
Volume, fade and pan setting are okay
Try different audio inputs – CD player, radio, auxiliary input, etc.
Amplifier is turning on and hasn’t gone into “protect mode
Test onboard fuses, if there are any
Check for any loose connections in the head unit
If any amp fuse is blown, that is the most probable reason why your speakers have gone silent.
If the amp’s location is causing headache, bypass it to check that both the head unit and the speakers are functioning properly.
Why are my car speakers buzzing?
The “buzzing” problem mostly happens when the bass is tuned up.
First, take a look at the speaker and make sure nothing is touching the cone. Many speakers are built with a thin cloth that quickly degrades and tears. Verify that this isn’t the item touching your speaker’s cone. Also, check the voice coil and the suspension to ensure that they are not distorted.
If the suspension and coil are in good shape, an electrical ground loop or a blown speaker might be the cause of the problem. A ground loop (when more than one electrical items share a ground connection) is fairly easy to fix as you just have to look for another ground for one of the electrical items. Alternatively, you can install a ground loop isolator.
How to know that speakers are blown: The most satisfying way of testing blown car speaker is to test for continuity between speaker terminals. If there is no continuity, plan for a repair or replacement for the speaker(s).
Why are my car speakers popping and crackling?
Speakers crackle when:
There’s a tube amp with faulty tubes
Coils have blown and are scratching some parts of the speaker
There is clipping
Of all the three possible causes, clipping is the most serious. Clipping happens when your amplifier’s power capabilities don’t match with those of sound drivers. The result is that the amp reaches clipping and sends peaks of continuous current load to your speakers. Tweeters may crackle when they are pushed to their physical limit.
On the other hand, if the amp’s power handling exceeds that of the speaker, the speaker may crackle because there are attempts to drive it beyond the limit.
My car radio won’t turn on/off
Radio not turning on
It is quite confusing to get into your car and find that the radio isn’t turning on at all. If it has happened to you, don’t panic. Here’s how to bring your radio back to life: Start by checking fuses. It might be blown and requiring a replacement. Drive for a few days and use your radio normally to see how it behaves. If it fails to turn on again after a while, the new fuse has probably blown again.
NOTE: Swapping amplifiers and their fuses too many times can cause wiring problems.
Why do car amp fuses keep blowing?
This is another disturbing issue that drivers may face at one time or another. Fuses blow either due to excess power or a short to ground somewhere. You’ll need to use a voltmeter to identify the exact source of the problem. Check for problems at the fuse block and at the radio to track the fault.
Verify that all grounds are in proper condition (not loose or corroded).
Radio not turning off
Does your radio continue running even after turning off the ignition? The interior lights and windows are turning off so you’ve established the relay is not the problem. Mhh!
First, note that some cars allow the head unit to receive power even when the ignition is turned off for about ten minutes or until the door is closed. If the radio stays longer without going off, you’ll have to get your head unit checked by an expert.
5. Why does my car amp get hot?
There are four reasons why amplifiers get hot and shut down: Blown/chassis-grounded speaker(s), low impedance, poor power or ground connections, or too high Gain and Punch Bass control settings.
If a speaker is blown or has been grounded to the vehicle’s chassis, the amp struggles to send power to it and heats up until it gives up service. It is wise to stop using the amplifier until the issue is checked.
Power and ground cables of the wrong size (should be at least 8-gauge) may also cause thermal shutdown because the amp fails to get the power it needs to put out the current needed. The cables should be less than 18 inches long. Proper grounding guidelines should then be followed and checked regularly for better overall health and performance of your amplifier and stereo system.
Have an expert help you to adjust the Gain and Punch Bass control settings.
It’s hoped that you have found solutions to the problems you have been facing. Continue enjoying your in-car entertainment with a high-quality and properly functioning stereo.
