Another one for the Audio experts...

2001 4.6L Vogue with all the extras...except some of them don't work exactly like they should.

Latest bugbear is the audio system. I recently replaced the existing XQK100210 amp with the proper XQK100340, so that I could finally get to make full use of the HK spatial surround system, CD changer and subwoofer...I had hoped that it might have had a miraculous effect on my Sat Nav too, but it doesn't seem to have had any of the desired effects.

What's happening now is that I can occasionally get some sound through the speakers (using the radio), but it'll last for a few seconds and then fade out to nothing. I did get the CD changer to work, but again, only for a matter of seconds.

When I was installing the amp, I couldn't help but notice that the subwoofer is in a bit of a sorry state, with the cones being split and broken.

Now, does this sound like it's the amp that's at fault? Could a faulty subwoofer cause these problems? Or, and I'm probably stretching it here, could it be an issue with the Alpine head unit? I'm hoping someone on this site will have had similar issues in the past...

I love this car, but the bl00dy thing really pushes you to the outer edge of your patience... :doh:

First off, nope the sub woofer being in a sorry state wont affect the sound output. yes the sound quality will change losing the lower frequency sound..

Ok, you get sound, but it fades out to nothing ? The 100340 amplifier is most likely the correct one for the system and year ..

if you wait for the sat nav computer to power down then disconnect the plugs at the back does the sound system work then (always wait for the sat nav computer to power down before removing power the flash memory *IS* volatile and if you get the white screen it's wiped !

The sat nav system runs through the sound system and mutes audio for the sat nav voice commands, so if you disconnect the nav computer we can then determine if the problems are nav related or audio related ?

Yep, I've already disconnected the Sat Nav unit, but it made no difference to the sound. What I'm getting now is the same as I was getting when the Sat Nav box was connected.

The 100340 amp was taken from another 2001 P38, so I'm assuming (hoping!) that it's the right one! Is there a specific model/version that I should be using?

I should have made it clearer, when the radio is switched on, I might get some sound immediately for a few seconds, and then it'll go quiet for a few minutes, or it just won't play ball at all. Very frustrating!

It's probably the right one, it depends on the system you have.

If it's getting sound and then dropping off, it could well be a resistor failure. They can fail Open Circuit or fail through voltaic arcing / resistor drift, or it could be a capacitor that is throwing voltage causing a resistor to arc..

Quite possibly, the amp could be on the fritz . you could find an amplifier repairer to check it out. its only electronic components on a board which can all be replaced.

I was afraid that it was pointing towards a faulty amp. Think you're right...have to see if I can get that checked out.

Thanks for your advice!

Word on the street is that Bike teacher dave knows his electronics.. more than i do !!

sounds like the amp i suspect the pre amp circuit prob just dried out capacitors

i might have a few Spare Sub / amp bits knocking about at home.. but not sure what years they are from..
if you can work out what serial numbers you need.. PM me and i will take a look..

charlie