melcoeb

03 GX470 w/ ML/Nav, weird radio problem - the radio cuts out at high volume, and only at high volume. It cuts out for 1 sec, then comes back, then cuts out, then comes back. Screen is on all the time while this happens, and occurs with all inputs - AM, FM, dvd. These are what I've done to diagnose so far:

1) disconnected battery for 10 minutes, no joy
2) replaced 2 fuses pertaining to radio, no joy
3) took out cd in dvd player, no joy

Here's what's weird: When I move the balance to have all/most of the sound coming from the rears, it doesn't cut out! See attached pic. I am able to get it to the 3rd line below the lowest; if I go above this line, it starts cutting out.

I did replace both front speakers a month ago, and was working fine all this time.

Bad amp? Bad front speakers?

I'd appreciate any help with this, guys, thanks.

MikeFoxx

iTrader: (8)

Amp is on its way out same thing happened on my GS. It would happen more in the summer hot weather... pushing volume high and when the amp got too warm or hot it shut off till it felt it was ready to join the party again.

melcoeb

well, crap, that's not good. Thanks for the diagnosis, though.

chiph9

Yeah, I was going to say overheating too.

Chip H.

melcoeb

I don't believe it's the heat/overheating, since it was 65 degrees this morning, and I was only driving for 10-15 minutes. I do not hear any chirping (seems to be a symptom of amp failure). I'm going to try disconnecting the 2 new front speakers then play with the balance, see if it makes a difference.

MattJO

What impedance are the new speakers? Maybe it is pushing the amp to a lower OHM, thus a higher load than it is used to and making protection kick in?

melcoeb

8 ohms. I used the ones that a lot of GX owners used as replacements. Here is the amazon link, I bought the 350w version:

melcoeb

after inspection, the electrical tape insulation i put on the wires going into my left front speaker wasn't very secure and came off, contacting the metal on the door, causing the radio to cut out. Scotchlocked the wires, and all is good now. Whew! Glad I didn't have to spend the $$$ to get the amp repaired.

chiph9

Rather than Scotchlock connectors, look into heat-shrink tube over a soldered connection. The Scotchlock connectors go bad over time because of vehicle vibration, and corrosion if they're exposed to the outside.

Chip H.

melcoeb

thanks for the tip, will do that the next time around.