Bren502

Just bought a 2004 Acura TL w 90k miles. Great car but horrible audio system. Volume at 40 is still very low. Everything I’ve read says replace the amp - bought a used amp on eBay, swapped it out & still low volume. Also noticed the only audio settings that adjust are the fade for left/right & front/back. All bass/treble adjustments make no change to sound even when the screen shows the levels changing. So I have low audio & no bass/treble adjustments - any ideas? Thanks!
Quote

pohljm

Actually it is an excellent audio system. The one you have may be defective. Have you checked the output signal from the headunit?
Prior to the amp?

Bren502

I have not - i am not audio savvy so researched and saw the amp solution. Now i have no idea what to do next or what to look for

pohljm

You need to determine if the HU is putting out a proper signal. It is a very low level signal. Or the Amp you replaced is also faulty. Do you have friend that can assist?

DMZ

Seems like you probably have to have the audio unit repaired. There are places on ebaY that advertise they'll repair your unit, but beware there are some despite the fact that advertise they'll repair it, but beware that some of them only replace the CD changer itself no matter what is really wrong with the unit. I think there's a place in Syracuse, NY that still repairs these units. But then, you might have just bought a dead amp unit. Return it if you can.
.

Slpr04UA6

I know there is a place here in Florida, I believe Orlando that works on the amp and headunits. I’ll have to look it up in my records, but I had my amp repaired by them. The headunit repair is/was like $350 tho. If you buy a used one, make sure it’s the same model as yours. There is a number on the unit. I think maybe in the tape deck area, not sure. I’m not near my car to go look, just an fyi. A newer headunit may not work with you year model of the TL. 😉

Bren502

Well yesterday driving home the radio miraculously starting playing louder w bass and treble and sounded good. Just started my car this morning and it’s back to low audio again w no bass or treble. Any ideas?

pohljm

much temperature difference between the two times?

Bren502

Yes - cold in the morning and warm in the afternoon. When it does play normal audio levels it’s after I’ve been driving the car for a while like over an hour

pohljm

The cold temperatures cause materials to contract. when the temperatures warm up the materials expand. this can affect the soldered connections in the amp. my guess is the amp you bought is also faulty. You need to check the low level signal from the HU to isolate the problem.