HOW TO: OEM Audio Amp Repair - fix buzzing/noise/no volume!
#161
#162
Head a da Family
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: New Friggin Jerzy
Age: 69
Posts: 5,505
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I just finished replacing all my capacitors using all original values (following Post #32) and all I can say is WOW! No more buzzing coming from the speakiz and I can crank up Jimi Hendrix to concert hall pitch (volume) just like I used to do with this car. Even Howard Stern's belches and farts sound alive again!
All parts supplied by Wayne Electronics, Pompton Plains, NJ - $28
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All parts supplied by Wayne Electronics, Pompton Plains, NJ - $28
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#164
Fall 2012 - audio shop poked, prodded, probed and tested, but came up with no verdict for the buzzing.
December 2012 - I replaced the amp with an A01 (04-06) unit. The buzz eventually returned.
February 2016 - I rebuilt the amp with new caps as described in this thread. The buzz returned late 2017.
This month - I replaced the amp again with an A11 (07-08) unit. The buzz returned this week.
December 2012 - I replaced the amp with an A01 (04-06) unit. The buzz eventually returned.
February 2016 - I rebuilt the amp with new caps as described in this thread. The buzz returned late 2017.
This month - I replaced the amp again with an A11 (07-08) unit. The buzz returned this week.
#166
Cruisin'
I think I'm approaching my wits' end with this amp.
Fall 2012 - audio shop poked, prodded, probed and tested, but came up with no verdict for the buzzing.
December 2012 - I replaced the amp with an A01 (04-06) unit. The buzz eventually returned.
February 2016 - I rebuilt the amp with new caps as described in this thread. The buzz returned late 2017.
This month - I replaced the amp again with an A11 (07-08) unit. The buzz returned this week.
In all cases: The slightest tap on the amp--sometimes just touching the wire harness clamped to it--starts or stops the buzz.
Fall 2012 - audio shop poked, prodded, probed and tested, but came up with no verdict for the buzzing.
December 2012 - I replaced the amp with an A01 (04-06) unit. The buzz eventually returned.
February 2016 - I rebuilt the amp with new caps as described in this thread. The buzz returned late 2017.
This month - I replaced the amp again with an A11 (07-08) unit. The buzz returned this week.
In all cases: The slightest tap on the amp--sometimes just touching the wire harness clamped to it--starts or stops the buzz.
#168
Burning Brakes
Before attempting this DIY, I pulled my old amp and opened it up (pics attached). Nothing looks blown, burned, bulging; however, I have the low volume issue (no buzzing) and the amp gets really hot to touch.
Did anyone experience a HOT amp and replacing the caps resolve it? Also, has anyone who did this DIY still have their amp functioning still?
I want to hopefully get answers as I may consider getting a used one off eBay.
Did anyone experience a HOT amp and replacing the caps resolve it? Also, has anyone who did this DIY still have their amp functioning still?
I want to hopefully get answers as I may consider getting a used one off eBay.
Last edited by nats007; 09-27-2020 at 10:36 AM.
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nats007 (10-10-2020)
#172
4th Gear
Before attempting this DIY, I pulled my old amp and opened it up (pics attached). Nothing looks blown, burned, bulging; however, I have the low volume issue (no buzzing) and the amp gets really hot to touch.
Did anyone experience a HOT amp and replacing the caps resolve it? Also, has anyone who did this DIY still have their amp functioning still?
I want to hopefully get answers as I may consider getting a used one off eBay.
Did anyone experience a HOT amp and replacing the caps resolve it? Also, has anyone who did this DIY still have their amp functioning still?
I want to hopefully get answers as I may consider getting a used one off eBay.
#173
Last edited by kev711; 10-11-2020 at 11:35 AM.
#174
Drifting
I rebuilt three amps in the past year. One had buzzing when temps were below 40, one had extremely low volume, and one...had no issues, I had the parts and was doing preventive maintenance. None of the three amps had any visibly damaged/failed components. All three amps worked like a champ after the repairs were completed.
#175
Burning Brakes
Appreciate it guys... Really do. At first, I didn't think they were bulging as I've seen failed caps. The caps are probably in the early stages of failure hence why there may be differing thoughts.
I'll go ahead and replace them and see if it resolves the low volume issue. I ended up having to travel for work, so it will be a little while. I'll post updates when I get to it.
I'll go ahead and replace them and see if it resolves the low volume issue. I ended up having to travel for work, so it will be a little while. I'll post updates when I get to it.
#176
Burning Brakes
I rebuilt three amps in the past year. One had buzzing when temps were below 40, one had extremely low volume, and one...had no issues, I had the parts and was doing preventive maintenance. None of the three amps had any visibly damaged/failed components. All three amps worked like a champ after the repairs were completed.
#178
Drifting
This is the correct answer. While you have it apart, just do them all. It's less than $20 in parts and should be 20-60 minutes of your time depending on your skills. I did all my rebuilds while on conference calls. It doesn't require much thought/focus, so I was able to pay attention to the calls while doing the repair work.
#179
I should add that you can get the capacitors you need on Digikey (in the US) as well, and the shipping would probably be cheaper and faster than Futurlec. Plus you can get nice, Nichicon top-shelf audio caps and they're still like $5 total.
18x Digikey 1uF 50V Audio Capacitor
9x Digikey 10uF 50V Audio Capacitor
If you want to pick exact values, you can find them all here: Digikey Nichicon FW Series Capacitors
If you order from Digikey, pay attention to the price breakdowns. It's actually cheaper, at the time of this posting, to buy 25 1uF caps than it is to buy 18 of them.
18x Digikey 1uF 50V Audio Capacitor
9x Digikey 10uF 50V Audio Capacitor
If you want to pick exact values, you can find them all here: Digikey Nichicon FW Series Capacitors
If you order from Digikey, pay attention to the price breakdowns. It's actually cheaper, at the time of this posting, to buy 25 1uF caps than it is to buy 18 of them.
#181
It looks like some of these are no longer available/obsolete. Would a kind sir be able to re-link to comparable ones? I tried to do this on mouser, and it looks like their similar ones are only good to 85 degrees Celsius, where Digikey had more options available. I'm a noob at this but I feel like I slept at a Holiday Inn last night and have the confidence to try it thanks to you all. Just want to make sure I get the right parts!!!
Thanks again TL community!
Thanks again TL community!
#182
Hey guys,
Just came by to say thanks to chefboyardee and ebs007! I think I referenced both your information the most. I bought a $20 dollar solder kit and a capacitor kit from eBay for around $15 bucks. It had all the caps I needed except for one which was the 100uf 50v. Wasn’t a big deal as I bought that off eBay as well. I was so used to the low level volume as I bought the car used. Thought it was normal until someone told me it wasn’t. So I found my way here to this forum! It was either spend 40 bucks and diy or around 90 bucks for a used amp that could go bad. Choice wasn’t difficult for me. I’m a noob at soldering and to these kind of projects. Took me around 5-6 hours to get the job done and.. it’s working great! Around volume 8 (after the fix) was the equivalent to my volume 40 (before the fix). Sounds great now and is loud! Hopefully it will last a long time! Tested the caps with a digital multimeter to make sure they were good before I popped them in. Anyways, cheers to a successful project and not having to turn down the AC or close the window because I can’t hear my music! Thanks for all the information guys!
Just came by to say thanks to chefboyardee and ebs007! I think I referenced both your information the most. I bought a $20 dollar solder kit and a capacitor kit from eBay for around $15 bucks. It had all the caps I needed except for one which was the 100uf 50v. Wasn’t a big deal as I bought that off eBay as well. I was so used to the low level volume as I bought the car used. Thought it was normal until someone told me it wasn’t. So I found my way here to this forum! It was either spend 40 bucks and diy or around 90 bucks for a used amp that could go bad. Choice wasn’t difficult for me. I’m a noob at soldering and to these kind of projects. Took me around 5-6 hours to get the job done and.. it’s working great! Around volume 8 (after the fix) was the equivalent to my volume 40 (before the fix). Sounds great now and is loud! Hopefully it will last a long time! Tested the caps with a digital multimeter to make sure they were good before I popped them in. Anyways, cheers to a successful project and not having to turn down the AC or close the window because I can’t hear my music! Thanks for all the information guys!
#183
It looks like some of these are no longer available/obsolete. Would a kind sir be able to re-link to comparable ones? I tried to do this on mouser, and it looks like their similar ones are only good to 85 degrees Celsius, where Digikey had more options available. I'm a noob at this but I feel like I slept at a Holiday Inn last night and have the confidence to try it thanks to you all. Just want to make sure I get the right parts!!!
Thanks again TL community!
Thanks again TL community!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/500pc-Radia...0AAOSwHP1dybYO
and I would link the other but for some reason it’s super long and so just search 100uf 50v capacitor on eBay. I used the rubycon one it was like 10 for 6-7 bucks.
anyway good luck and take your time to do it right! (Hopefully I did!)
#185
DigiKey appears to have some that match the ##uf and 50V ratings - is it as simple as finding the right uf and V? I will do that and try to create an updated post for future users.
#186
#187
#188
Cruisin'
#189
I bought a kit from Amazon for $17 (PANMILED 35 Values 700 Pieces Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor Assortment Kit 0.1uF-1000uF 10V 16V 25V 50V Direct Insertion Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor Series)
and replace the following
0.47uF 50V 6
1.0uF 50V 12
2.2uF 50V 1
3.3uF 50V 6
4.7uF 50V 1
10uF 16V 2
47uF 16V 1
and replace the following
0.47uF 50V 6
1.0uF 50V 12
2.2uF 50V 1
3.3uF 50V 6
4.7uF 50V 1
10uF 16V 2
47uF 16V 1
#190
Since this thread is back, I might as well follow up my posts. The buzzing did come back, and I was also forced to disconnect the HFL. I have since replaced the amp--again--and replaced the HFL module with a rebuilt one I pulled from a junkyard.
So far, so good.
So far, so good.
#191
Another success story here. We recently inherited an '05 TL and previous owner never dealt with the amp issue (extreme low volume). I did exactly what OP suggested in the first post - only used 1uF and 10uF. Sounds good to me...hope it holds up!
Anyway big thanks for this great post.
Anyway big thanks for this great post.
Last edited by tomjonesrocks; 06-24-2024 at 12:00 PM.
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