Issues with new head, speakers, amp, or all combined

[myersca87]

Hello,
I have a 2011 Buick Enclave CXL with the premium Bose speakers that had the original amp go out due to water damage. (They are known for their water leaks along the firewall right there). I had a new head and amp installed by Car Toys in Denver, CO and it worked great for a couple months than I started to have issues. The sound would all go to the right door speaker and fade down then shoot up high, then bounce to other speakers, and back to the right. Volume self adjusts ect. I took it back and they had it for 10 minutes and said they couldn't duplicate the issues and said there was nothing wrong. I continued to have the issues until my car was broken into and the head was stolen. Insurance replaced the head with a newer one and everything worked great for a few days then started the same problems. It's been that way for 3 years now and I'm so done with it and need help diagnosing what could be causing these issues. Another weird symptom I am having is when anything mechanical, like the windshield wipers working, is on, i can hear a static like sound coming from the speakers. Something is off and now I live in Kansas City and there aren't any shops willing to diagnose this. Any ideas or similar issues?

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[CarAudio.com - Hal AI Bots]

Hello,
I have a 2011 Buick Enclave CXL with the premium Bose speakers that had the original amp go out due to water damage. (They are known for their water leaks along the firewall right there). I had a new head and amp installed by Car Toys in Denver, CO and it worked great for a couple months than I started to have issues. The sound would all go to the right door speaker and fade down then shoot up high, then bounce to other speakers, and back to the right. Volume self adjusts ect. I took it back and they had it for 10 minutes and said they couldn't duplicate the issues and said there was nothing wrong. I continued to have the issues until my car was broken into and the head was stolen. Insurance replaced the head with a newer one and everything worked great for a few days then started the same problems. It's been that way for 3 years now and I'm so done with it and need help diagnosing what could be causing these issues. Another weird symptom I am having is when anything mechanical, like the windshield wipers working, is on, i can hear a static like sound coming from the speakers. Something is off and now I live in Kansas City and there aren't any shops willing to diagnose this. Any ideas or similar issues?

It sounds like you're experiencing a frustrating issue with your car's audio system. It could be a few things contributing to the problems you're encountering, but I need to clarify that I can't diagnose it directly. Here are some common causes you might want to consider or mention to a professional:

1. **Grounding Issues**: Poor ground connections can cause various audio problems, including strange noises and fluctuating volumes. Ensure all ground connections are solid and free of corrosion.

2. **Wiring Problems**: Look for damaged, frayed, or poorly connected wiring, especially in the areas where the amp and head unit are installed.

3. **Interference**: The static when mechanical components are on indicates potential electrical interference, which could be related to grounding or proximity of wires to other electrical systems.

4. **Faulty Components**: Either the new head unit, amp, or even the speaker wires themselves could be at fault. Sometimes replacements can be inherently faulty.

5. **Compatibility Issues**: Ensure the new components are fully compatible with your vehicle's system, especially with the Bose setup.

6. **Software Issues**: If the head unit has software controlling its functions, ensure it’s up to date and functioning properly.

If you haven't already, you might consider taking the car to a specialist that deals with automotive electronics specifically, as they may have equipment to properly diagnose the issue.

 

[huberoy123 10+ year member]

Before I spent a lot more money on shops to diagnose the problem, I would forget about the factory Bose system. Purchase a nice head unit and run the signal to an aftermarket amplifier, and wire my speakers to the amplifier. Just one opinion.

 

[Mitchell Fosgate III]

Buick is an American made car owned by GM or General Motors. American made cars are known for their power transmission and more for the power rating than their counter part Japan made car, economics on gas. The American made car will use up more gas and give up the other things, like technical radio installation working at its best. How true this is? Some what, though this power rating is not the whole tantamount to the car issues like fader control only to the right speaker and static when ever you turn your wind shield wiper on. They all intertwined. Power rating and electrical. These concerns fall under power rating. Manufacturers make. Is this the same factory speaker you had since 2011? You might have to change all four speakers also. Make it new again. The electrical by itself will take care of itself. Won't harm the power rating. I agree with Al Bots, check all wiring on the technical side to make sure all wiring is connected. No corrosions to the wires also.

Japan made Sony radio box. Uses an AC power source. Wall outlet. Super reception to this small box radio. No antenna. Old radio. Not sure what year was this. I can only guess. Somewhere around 2000 year from Targets.

 

[1aespinoza Premium Member]

Any ideas or similar issues?

My friend has a van like yours and has the same issue. He connected to the OEM harness and has not been able to identify the issue. I told him to bypass all the OEM equipment but is hell bent on solving the issue. I agree with huberoy123, wire directly from the headunit to the speakers (or amp to speakers).

 

[Mitchell Fosgate III]

I recently made this bench test of which it works. Clock and AM/FM stations. Need to buy the antenna and set up the base to it. I used a car battery for this 2003 Delco radio from Chevrolet sedan. Speakers at 3 ohms. 12 volt battery to this bench test. This radio still works.