I just got a 2005 Limited roadster. When I got it I noticed that the right speakers do not work at all (actually, one day when I was driving there was a loud "popping" sound and they turned on for about 10 seconds before turning off again). The local dealership said that the amplifier needs to be replaced, but they want $850 for it. I'll pull the amp out this weekend to check it myself and to make sure it's not just a wiring problem to the amp, but I have a couple of questions:

- Would it be possible to get an OEM replacement amp from somewhere? I've looked at the repair manuals posted here and that looks like a pretty easy install. I'm sure I could do it for far less than $850.
- Would it be cheaper/better to get an aftermarket amp? I'm no audiophile, so I don't need anything fancy. I would just want something that I could basically drop in to replace the factory amp after soldering a few wires. I don't really want to spend the $$ on a new head unit right now.

 

You will not get something to "drop in and solder a couple wires".

I see the factory amp show up on eBay fairly often. There is one seller that sells a lot of Crossfire parts who will probably be your best bet. Will probably cost you less than $200.

If you get involved with replacing it the one you have, it ripples out to the subs, there are other sensors on the amp that have nothing to do with the stereo, and you will have to pull cable. Of course it's doable - a fair number here have done it.

 

Thanks for your input. I've ohmed out all of the wire connections from the head unit to the amplifier and they all check out.

It seems to me that the problem would more likely be before the amplifier because there is no sound coming from both the right door and right rear speakers. It looks like the head unit outputs 1 left and 1 right signal, and those are split before the amplifier to input 4 channels (left/right door & left/right rear). Either both the right door and right rear channels are blown out, or the amp isn't even getting any right channel signals.

The only way I can think of to confirm if it is a head unit or amplifier problem is to swap the left/right outputs from the head unit to see if the working speakers flip sides. Do you know what the trick is to pull the wires out of the harness so I could swap the Left/Right wires on the head unit harness? I tried pulling on them with a pair of pliers, but they seem locked into the harness.

Thanks again for your help.

 

I haven't looked at the connectors lately but everything else like that has some sort of locking connector with a release tab - sometimes a bit of a pain to release but once you find it, generally not too bad. Sorry I can't be more specific.

 

Hey Workindev -
Are you still here? Did you ever solve your right side speaker problem? I have seen the same type of problem from other members, and I have the same as you on my 07 Roadster. What did your fix end up being?
Thanks

 

Maybe this picture will help:


Regards
Markus