Hello all. My stereo has not been working for quite a while now. It used to work fine, then it would only work intermittently, then not at all. When I turn it on, the Chrysler logo shows up and it can scroll through stations and read CDs, but no audio comes out at all. Is this an issue with the stereo, or with the amplifier? The stereo was always kind of wonky, as it would sometimes turn itself on, and the volume and tuning was a bit glitchy. Thanks for the help!

 

Yes, it is one or the other.

Our head units ("stereos") drive the amplifier at speaker level. That means you can cut wires to the amp and put a speaker in place - if you get sound, the amp is bad.
If you don't get sound, the head is bad.

You can also use an RMS voltmeter set to the 2 volt AC scale, and measure the output at the back of the head - it's not as easy to interpret the meter readings as it is just listening to a speaker, but it can be done.

If NO speakers at all produce sound, I'd think the amplifier is bad. Yank the carpet / trim out from the passenger footwell, if you see water damage or corrosion on the amp connectors, you know what your issue is. The FIX is a new amp, put in a new head and wire it for four channel sound while you are at it - and you will be HAPPY this happened when you hear what the system CAN sound like!

 

Not to be rude but I have a Sony head unit that is only making sound out of the passengers door speaker and it is driving me nuts! I figured the amp was bad and the replacement did the same thing. Would my next step be this test as well? I tested the 4 channels with a test light at the connectors where they had wired in the adaptor plug and it lit up on all 4 channels. Is that where you are saying I should use a "test" speaker? ON the radio side of the plug? I dont know why but I assumed that if the test light lit up it had to be power but now I am back at square one. Or do I cut the wires on the other side of the plug or closer to the amp? I am looking for a speaker now . .please advise and excuse the highjack. Thanks again for any help and I will be following this post closely.

I have been reading the best bang info and then the new guy that had a few different ways to improve on that mod and I am willing to go with the 4 channel hookup also, I just checked and my Sony CDX GTS6UP has tons of adjustments and pre outs .. etc that I know nothing about but I will figure it out . When I was reading people kept changing how to get the 4 channel so if there is a way that you know will improve the sound then I want to set mine up that way to. I will go back and see if there was a final way that everyone agreed to and use it. Thanks

 

Test light? You can't effectively use a test light on a speaker lead.
You could use a voltmeter set to the AC scale (2 volt or lowest scale) and turn the volume up, you should see indication on the meter when music or voice is playing.
But splicing in a speaker is the "sure fire" way to know what is coming out of the head unit.

 

Thank you Mr Pizza guy, as you can tell I know nothing about car stereos and now it gives me hope that I may have a way to find my issue. I will find a speaker and hook it up the the left channels coming out of the radio to see if i have sound, if not then I know I have bad channels in the radio and can replace it. I have already tried another amp to no avail so this will most likely be my problem. Can i use any speaker? I ask because all i have laying around are some small surround sound speakers from a unit we had many moons ago. Thanks, I now have hope!