Common Problems with Your Car Stereo

Your car’s sound system isn’t just an “accessory.”  It’s also a statement on you and the quality your passengers expect when you’re driving around town or on the highway.  So a good sound is just not a luxury—it’s a necessity.

All kinds of problems can interfere with your car’s stereo system.  They range from mildly irritating to downright disastrous.  But good news is that most of them can be easily fixed, as soon as you find what’s causing the problem.  Usually, those problems are related to wiring issues, voltage management, or defective parts.  You might also encounter some of these issues after replacing factory parts for “aftermarket” components--replacements that should upgrade your system, not set them back.  Here are five common problems your car stereo may have and some suggestions on what you can do about them.

1. You have static, buzzing, or intermittent noise that disrupts the quality of your sound.

There aren’t many things more irritating that having your favorite music distorted by awkward noise or  gaps in the sound.  This can be caused by several factors, but most of them are related to wiring issues.  Noises can be created by loose connections between your system and your car’s battery, a low voltage supply, a bad fuse, or other problems related to power supply, such as bad cabling.  In extreme cases, it could also point to a problem with your car’s electrical system.  Start by checking your audio cables, and if that isn’t the problem, you should have all electronic components checked, including your battery, alternator, or capacitor.

2. There is poor (or no) bass.

Bass is what gives sound—particularly on music--its character.  The music just won’t “feel right” without good bass.   Poor bass quality can be caused by a head unit default or a poor connection, but it most likely related to factory speakers being inferior, or, if you’ve added aftermarket speakers, they’re out of polarity.  If it’s the latter, re-connecting the wires properly can solve the problem; a correctly wired connection between amplifier and speakers will cause the push-and-pull of air to produce the deep, rich sound you’d expect from a quality system.

3. There is no sound at all.

Many things can cause your stereo to be silent. it’s a process of elimination to find out what the exact problem is.  If all of the cables are connected properly, it may be an issue related to voltage.  You might have a bad fuse, or there may be a short somewhere.  Electrical problems can cause your stereo to go into a sort of “protection mode,” which prevents the entire system from functioning in order to avoid equipment damage.  A test on your speakers, as well as a complete inspection of your head unit, should reveal exactly where the problem is.

4. There is no power.

Now, we’re getting pretty serious.  This is a problem you really don’t want to have, but sometimes it happens.  If your head unit is damaged, it will need repair—or it may need to be replaced completely.  If the power cuts in and out, there may be a short somewhere in the system.  At the least, your power cables are bad and need to be replaced, however, worst case scenario could be that your vehicle isn’t generating or supplying enough juice to power your stereo.  Start by investigating the easier problem to fix—bad cables—and go from there to see if there’s a more serious situation at hand.

5. Your system is overheating.

If there’s a problem that just cries out “Danger! Danger!”, this is it.  Obviously, if anything in your car is getting too hot, it needs to be checked as soon as possible. Especially if it’s because of faulty wiring. Just like in a house, bad wiring can cause a fire and smoke damage—and a stereo fire can end up damaging your car.  The causes may vary, but it may be that certain components in your stereo system are malfunctioning, or even that your cables are placed too close to heat-generating parts of your vehicle.  Overheating can also result from poor voltage management.  In any event, it isn’t something you can afford to ignore, so if it feels hot or you smell smoke, check it out ASAP.

The Bottom Line

Whatever the problem, you need to fix it. And Genius Audio is there to help.  Offering a full range of equipment, parts, and accessories, we can supply you with what you need to restore your car audio system to its full potential. With a full line of car audio amp, rca cables, subwoofers, super tweeters, and equalizers, and other components, you can customize it to make it a state-of-the-art addition to your driving experience. Contact us today for your car stereo needs.