Travis8214

Hey all, so I have an '04 ES330 with the navigation and Mark Levinson system. The only sound issue when I got the car was the classic blown speaker, but now it seems I have the classic blown amp... Intermittently? I'd also like to mention that the 25A fuse for the AMP in the fuse box is intact and not blown.

Basically, the NAV unit doesn't beep when touched, no sound comes from the speakers except for the voice navigation, adjusting the volume doesn't seem to accomplish anything, the SOUND options on the Audio screen don't let me do anything, with Mid and ASL omitted as options. Radio still gets signals as both frequency and RDS info are displayed, same with CDs playing, just without any actual sound coming from the speakers,

Here's where it gets a little eyebrow raise-y, though. For the past week, when driving around my neighborhood with the volume either all the way down or with audio actually turned off, go over a bump or something, and it was like turning the volume up a couple of clicks all of a sudden.

Also, sometimes I turn the car on and the audio works. Sometimes it only works just before ignition, others even after ignition. But 90% of the time I have no beeps and no sound. Which is OKAY as I already often drive with the volume quite low or off thanks to the useless blown sub, another reason why this is weird because I don't really think I use the sound system that much or with that much power or anything at all.

Could a connection just be loose? Where should I look? Should I even bother with going through the dealer, or just ship the amp to United Radio. Again, the 25A fuse for the amp in the driver-side fuse box is intact.

Thanks!

bloodbean

Hi there,

The symptoms you're describing was the exact same thing I was experiencing with 04 with the Mark Levinson system. I ended up replacing the head unit, front and rear speakers as well as a 4ch amp with aftermarket items as it was much cheaper than getting a new ML amp or getting it repaired by United Radio in New York. It was a lot of work but in the end the aftermarket setup sounds much better and the Nav is far more modern.

It's a real bummer this happens as it seems to be a common problem!

Troy

Travis8214

Damn, I was kind of hoping to try and keep everything stock. I can't exactly explain why, because I'm not so crazy for the stock navigation unit, but is there anyway to keep the head unit but replace the amp and speakers (with something other than ML)? Whilst retaining the same overall functionality

Fritz330

Keep and eye on ebay, Craigslist and local flea markets.