For the past 5 years I've been reading on this forum of failed LS430 amps predominantly 01-03 series. I have an 01 ML with Nav and 120,000 miles with no issues at this time. Is it not a matter of if but when for the LS430 amp? Most of my speakers and rear sub have been replaced with OEM. As the amp is quite expensive to repair, I was just wondering if I'm being overly anxious (from all the posts I've read on this forum) or are they truly defective?. Any feedback with members with ML systems would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all.

 

I believe there was an issue with one type of ML amp in the 01-03 LS430. The only way to know for sure is if you know the model/serial number off the amp. I think a lot of amp failures come about with people who have replaced the factory speakers with aftermarket and did not take into account the speaker impedance. Most car audio speakers are 4ohm where as the stock LS430 speakers are something like 12ohm. The lower impedance puts a heavier load on the ML amp eventually causing it to fail.

My 01 ML amp is still fine but I have bypassed the entire factory ML system with aftermarket equipment.

 

It is not common. There are some issues with the nav readers in 01-03 models and of course the subs succumbing to damage from the sun as well as front door speakers deteriorating after 12 years or so.

 

Thanks Lavrishevo...What are Nav Readers? and how does that affect the car? Do they go bad over time as well or an issue early on? I am very well informed (thanks again for the info) about how changing out speakers will kill amps.That is why I swallowed the extra expense of going with OEM speakers. I was just concerned that the amps were actually defective. Of course living here in the blistering heat of Florida cannot be a benefit to any electronics and it's always on my mind having the Nav which I couldn't live without...

 

Not exactly sure about the nav readers. Maybe just a design issue. They basically stop reading the nav disk. Probably has to do with the laser mechanism. Tom has replaced 1 or 2 I believe.

 

most of the amp and nav failures are more of a trunk seal issue I think. water gets in and damages the units. keep your seals in good shape and I bet you have no problems.

 

Had an 02 and I was carrying a 2 1/2 gallon bottle of distilled water on the right side of the trunk. As I'm driving along, the radio starts to skip stations, the Nav screen goes wonky and I immediately shut it off. I drove home, went to get the groceries out of the trunk and discovered the empty water bottle. Directly under the bottle is the Nav system and a bunch of other expensive looking electronics.

I took the car to my shop, pulled everything out, soaked up as much water as I could and put a fan on it for two days. I started my car and tried the Nav. Everything worked perfectly. Dodged a big bullet.

 

I thought the failure rate was 100% but I stand corrected.

My amp only acts funny below freezing. I've been meaning to pull it out and check the capacitors, but you're reading this as opposed to a message that declared my triumph over the capacitors.

 

Early samples of both the LS430 and LS460/600 ML amps seem prone to failure; but it usually happens in the first couple years. I remember someone saying they thought the amps were not cooled sufficiently. On both my LS's the amps were replaced under warranty by previous owners.

There is a TSB out for the LS430 amp; it indicates an updated part number so you can try to find it and see if the VIN on the affected cars matches yours.

For the record my LS430 amp I believe is now at least 12 years old and still works perfectly with fully stock stereo at 116k.

There are places that will repair the ML amp for a couple hundred bucks (although it is a pain to remove). I'm sure ebay also has some amps that might serve if you need one.

 

16 years and going strong. I'm not pulling the amp to check anything but am thankful it's stilll working.

 

I've never really heard much about amps going out. Mine is original and still working as well as it did when new. I did have to re-foam the sub, though.

 

What year is yours? Mileage?

 

I've heard about them going out but the amps in my 02 and 05 are still going strong. I plan on selling them in a few months when I get aftermarket speakers and amps.

I see a lot of speakers and subs blowing out though.

 

UL 2003 bought in 2003, 94K. The only thing other than regular maintainence that I've had to fix was the subwoofer refoam job. Most reliable car I've ever owned.

 

Every Subwoofer needs to be replaced on our cars. Just be careful not to pump up the music too load as we all know how expensive it is to replace it! I did the refoam but it only lasted a year or so and I then went for a new OEM woofer for $299.