Greetings All,

Since my last post, I have not professionally diagnosed my stereo problem. However, I am almost positive it is the amp. Went to a a few car audio stores around here to just replace it all and they are all trying to charge me $1500-3000 to replace and install a double din,Amp,and Sub in my 04 LS w/ ML Nav. I know factors like buying equipment from the audio shop vs online can play a huge role too.

For a basic setup, what have other LS owners paid locally to have their sound systems replaced? 3k for a car worth maybe $6k is excessive IMO

 

Where are you located? edit: just saw you’re in NC, otherwise I’d offer to help you out for much cheaper.

But really, with quality components on top of paying someone to install a full system like that $3k isn’t too far off honestly. Take into consideration you need to buy two amps, a sub, four speakers, the head unit, and all the wiring on top of whatever the shop charges per hour.

 

Can you do it yourself? It's not hard, just time consuming. It's been covered really well here in this forum...

 

For what it is worth, maybe try Craigslist and search "electronics" under > services > automotive services for an owner/operator low overhead operation who may be able to charge less than others. Would look for M.E.C.P. certified (Mobile Electronic Certified Professional) or similar experience. If such a type of school may be near you may also wish to consider speaking with an instructor and allow instructor's students to an install for practice, which would be done with the instructor's supervision, and perhaps a nominal charge....

 

Am just about ready to drive to CT and give you my car for complete maintenance on every component (if you would take it).... Wish I knew an LS 430 ace wrench like you nearby who would do these things at your rates.

 

Send your amp to a specialized amp repair shop like United Radios. It'll cost you $500-$800 USD. Google Mark Levinson amp repair.

My 2002 ML amp is still original and working fine, but the ML amp failing is a problem that several people have had and that repair shops know how to fix.