I have a 2004 GS300 with a Mark Levenson sound system. I'm having crackling sound coming thru the speakers, even when the head unit is turned off.
It is not all the time, but fairly regular. At first I thought I had a bad speaker, however now I don't think so. I'm thinking it's the power amp in the trunk.
Any thoughts, ideas??

 

Have you opened the door panels and checked the condition of the speaker diaphragms?

 

The Navigation can send sound to the right speaker I believe. If it’s just that one it might be the navigation.

Maybe a ground if there’s been work on the interior recently. Doubt it.

I do think the amp goes somewhat regularly. I have one if it comes to that.

 

I have not, although , that is what it sounds like, except for the crackling. I'm thinking that wouldn't explain the noise when the head unit is off??

 

Is there a way to disconnect the Navigation, that you know of?

 

The power Amp in the trunk is super HOT, and the cooling fan is not running.
So, I think a replacement is in order.

 

hey Jimbo, Pull it get a non-navi AC Control unit and put in an aftermarket Radio, you will have to cut a few wires in the harness as they don't make an aftermarket plug an play harness for the ML's. I just did this with mine, I have brought 2 used amps for my 2003, its not worth it. I was lucky and they guy(scrap yard) sold me the second for same price as 1st one year later. if you insist on keeping it hit me up ill sell you all the one that I had working and all the parts of the older one, need to get rid of it.

 

Thanks Stalley007, I already bought a used replacement amp, and have it installed.
Fingers crossed.

 

pray it last that's why I just swapped mine the Heat here is GA 90's from May thru September puts a beating on that amp, if your a DIY'er I would add more fans to it and it should hold a little longer, I researched and the issue is the solder tends to come undone with the heat it generates and that heat sink is not enough to dissipate and prevent it from cracking.

 

what wires did you have to cut ? I’m trying to go aftermarket with my 03 and it has the ML system in it