Front speakers distort on my 2001 S3

[S3-Oski]

Hi all thought i would try this forum aswell, my two front speakers are disorting at low volume sometimes sound ok othertimes terrible, they sound really bad when someone is speaking on the radio,

Sometime when i have the stereo up loudish it seems fine, its really annoying do you think my speakers have had it, i did read a thread about checking the amp or something but can not find it now, would i be best to take it to a specialist or are the speakers easy to source new if it is them what are broke, thanks Oski

Ps i forgot to add it seems worse when cold, im sure it does thanks

 

[AlexStanley]

I get this too on my 1.8 T Sport - seems to improve the longer the stereo has been on..

 

[AndyMac]

If it's the Bose system then likely cause is dry solder joints on the amp PCB, epecially if it gets better when warmed up. Resoldering the main joints on the amp usually does the trick.
Very unlikely that it's the speakers, but could be a dirty connection to the speakers.

 

[S3-Oski]

If it's the Bose system then likely cause is dry solder joints on the amp PCB, epecially if it gets better when warmed up. Resoldering the main joints on the amp usually does the trick.
Very unlikely that it's the speakers, but could be a dirty connection to the speakers.

Hi Andy thanks for the reply, yes its the Bose system, i will try that thanks where would i find the amp? is it in the boot in the compartment opposite the disk changer? as i found something like that in there and does it just pull out? thanks again Oski

 

[alijames]

Yes, the little black box with fins is the amp.

Cheers,

 

[AndyMac]

You have to partially release the boot trim to get the bottom bolt out. It doesn't just pull out.

 

[S3-Oski]

You have to partially release the boot trim to get the bottom bolt out. It doesn't just pull out.

Hi Andy im currently just started this i got the top bolt out no porblems, but its still stuck so, do i have to undo the star drives on theplastic trim over the boot lip then try and pull it out? thanks Oski

 

[S3-Oski]

Ok as your looking in the boot ive taken the two cargo net holders off on the right and the front left one nearest too me, then i have un done like 4 star bolts and then have taken the trim off, ive also put my rear seats forward and taken boot matt out for more room,

But the plastic around the amp is still not moving ive pulled it quite hard but fear braking it, is there any method too this or have i missed any hidden bolts? thanks Oski

 

[AndyMac]

You need to release the 2 cargo anchors on the boot lip. Remove the 4 T25 screws on the boot lip trim and remove the trim. Remove the small plastic screw up inside the cubbyhole (behind the rear light cluster) Then the only thing holding the drivers side trim is a single metal spring clip just below the curve of the bootlip where it curves round the rear light (and the one remaining cargo anchor, but you can leave this in place). Aggressively pull the boot trim towards the passenger side to release the clip. The clip will remain in the bodywork, so pull it out and refit to the trim.
The boot trim can then be prised away enough to give you access to remove the amp.

 

[S3-Oski]

Hi thanks i got the amp out now it was the hidden screw what was cusing the aggro, right now i have the amp out is it just a case of undoing the star screw on the back will the pcb come out in one lump or is it bits? thanks oski

 

[AndyMac]

One lump

 

[S3-Oski]

Hi Andy thanks for your help on this, i have taken the cover off the amp, i can see th pcb now is there a guide or pic any where showing which parts to resolder?, i take it i can leave the pcb screwed in the half the amp housiing as i can see the whole of it now,

 

[AndyMac]

Basically all the joints that aren't surface mount. Get a solder sucker from maplins which helps get rid of the old solder.

 

[S3-Oski]

Top man Andy!

that makes sense, i just went out to buy some solder i picked up a new solder sucker too as my old one was stuck good job too, i will let you know how it goes thanks again, thats so helpfull

 

[AndyMac]

Hope it does the trick.

 

[S3-Oski]

Right i have done it it has definately made an improvement,

i still have it to a degree, i wondered if it has made a difference as i took the amp out of my warm house into a stone cold car so the amp was warm allready if yo know what i mean as it clears up when the car warms up,

i know a dry joint is prob hard to see but i noticed i had a few joints what looked very pitted, i will have a another go tomorrow to check i have not missed any etc, and i may take the door cards to check as speaker cineections as i have not yet done that, but i will try tommorrow morning and see if it was as bad seemed alot better still, thanks Andy a big big help,

 

[mramcha]

I've had the same problem (although it is only my front left speaker). I've taken the amp out and resoldered as per the diagram.

It's exactly the same. Now what?