I know that the ML amplifier issues are discussed many times here in CL but I did not fine anyone with the problem that I have. Most LS owners with ML system have issues such as chirping sound or entire system not working but my problem only exists with subwoofer. Everything works (all 18 speakers) perfectly and I love the sound. But somehow my woofer is not working and it is the only speaker that does not work in my car. By the way, I have just purchase my car about a month ago. It is 2007 LS460L. Part number for the amp shows W260. I don't know if my woofer is blown or amp is blown. I have went into my trunk and lightly pushed on my woofer and it didn't feel like it was fried but there is no sound coming out of it. Have any one of you seen ML amplifier's woofer output going out by itself?

 

Your subwoofer is blown. I had the same issue and my subwoofer was replaced ($1000) under warranty. It was nice hearing that beautiful clear deep bass sound again.

 

So you are saying my amplifier should be ok? It will be better if that's the case. I was wondering if amplifier was blown on subwoofer side, will it affect other speakers too?

Another question is, where can I get replacement subwoofer (OEM)? I know there were few posts with subwoofers but I don't believe I saw any good source where to get them. Thanks in advance.

 

I would say if your speakers are working your amp should be ok. The problems are similar. My amp also failed (loud chirping/clicking sounds only) and was replaced ($1000) under warranty about a year before my subwoofer was replaced. All speakers were working except for the subwoofer. System still sounded ok but I could not longer hear the powerful subwoofer. I didn't try looking for a replacement since the amp and subwoofer was covered under warranty.

 

Replacement speaker can be found on eBay for a few hundred. I would take everything apart and check wiring. Could be a loose wire. Very rarely is the speaker blown and NO sound come out. Usually the cone on the speaker is damaged and just sounds like crap.

 

Take everything apart, meaning take the rear deck out and trace the sub wire back to amplifier to see if there is a loose connection?

 

There are two places to check for a loose connection. Either at your amp which is in the truck, or at the speaker. I would start at the speaker. Therefore you can check many solutions there. Confirm wiring is complete. And meter the wire for voltage. If there is voltage then you know your amp is working and it's a speaker issue. No voltage confirms loose connection at amp or you have amp issue. But by starting at your speaker, if it is a speaker issue, you have it already opened up and you task is half complete.

 

Good luck on taking everything apart and tracing the loose connection. In order to the take the rear deck out the rear seats have to be removed.

 

Is there any easier way to text out the woofer without taking it out to see if its blown?

 

If that's too much work, start in the truck and meter all the channels. If you got power, then it's not an amp issue. Maybe, just maybe, you could take the dust cover off the sub, the cover in your rear window, and see if you can get to the speaker wire as they connect to the cone. Meter the wires there possibly.

 

FYI - to remove/get to the subwoofer, you will have to remove the rear seats. Set the FAQ Sticky on how to remove the seats.

 

I can see the wire from the trunk looking up at the subwoofer. Maybe I'll start there.

 

Ok...
I have tested my amplifier and there is voltage running through while music was playing. So, I put myself in the trunk, looked up and I can see the subwoofer connection from there. I pull down on the center of the cone to see if the subwoofer was fried and it start to bump like it came back alive! When I let go it stopped playing again. When I pull down on it again I look carefully on the bottom of the cone (there is a rippled plate with two wires running to the middle of the cone on each side) and one of the wire (flat and glued to the rippled plate) was creating small spark while it was playing. Looked closely and found that it had a disconnection there. Temporarily soldered it and now it plays find but creates a little distortion. I guess one day I'll take my time to rip out the subwoofer and solder it right. At least I have found my problem.

 

What should I use to fix this issue? Disconnection gap is less than 1mm.