Weird problem with 07 Mustang Shaker 500/door woofers.

[Nikogrel]

Hey guys,

In my 2007 Mustang, I have the Shaker 500. It's worked flawlessly for the past 3 years. However, recently it's been doing something strange.

At random times during almost every ride, the sound to the door woofers will just stop... leaving me with no low tones. I have never changed anything in the car related tot he sound system. When I first start the car, the sound is fine and all the speakers work. However, once I get going on the road, the sound to the woofers will just cut out suddenly. No noise, no sound you'd expect from a lose wire. They just goes silent.

I've been searching online for a solution for days and I'm just getting more confused. Is it a problem with the Shaker 500, the default amps, or the speakers? Again, only the low tones/woofers die. The high tones remain unchanged, loud, and clear.

The dealership we bought the car from went out of business last year, so I called a different ford dealership about it. They told me that they have no idea... I'm at a complete loss here.

Any help (other than "buy aftermarket"... due to lack of funds) would be greatly appreciated.

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[thevic24 5,000+ posts]

Do both door speakers go out?

If so, the factory amp(s) may be on the way out.

 

[Nikogrel]

Yeah, they both go out at once.

I kinda figured it would be the amps. however, after reading so many negative things about the head unit online, I started to wonder. I already ruled out fuses and wiring. Also, would both amps really go out at once? It's my understanding that there are 2 separate amps (one for each sub). If one goes out, does it affect the other? This is why I'm confused ^^;

Would anyone happen to know where I can buy replacement amps? I tried to search, but I keep finding aftermarket stuff. I just want the same factory amps to replace the defective ones for now.

 

[audioatg 10+ year member]

Do you have a DMM meter??? Got a few ideas to start finding the problem.

 

[Nikogrel]

Yes I do! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[CHEMMINS 10+ year member]

Take the ford badge off the front and put a dodge one there and all your problems will go away.....haha.

But on a more serious note.....check the factory amps. Notorious for loose connections.

 

[Nikogrel]

Well, the connections are tight. I checked. I even disconnected them and reconnected them myself just to be sure. I'm still having the same problem.

After I reconnected them, I was still getting no bass. I had the car out all day and had no bass the entire time. However, I did get Bass for a few minutes while driving home, but the bass stopped again about 3 minutes after.

Now I'm debating whether I want to get the amps replaced at the dealership, or just get a whole new system.

I'm short on cash, and I'm not sure how much it would cost to get them replaced at the dealership... though a search online is showing me that USED replacement amps run between $60 and $90 each... and that just seems wrong to me.

I'll have to talk to the dealership tomorrow and figure out what it'll cost me before I make my decision.

 

[gunz4me2 10+ year member]

If you think those POS amps are expensive, you should see what the Shaker 500 woofers run you! Last time I checked they were either $329 or $349 each from my local Ford stealership.

You could always try the diagnostic procedure noted **HERE**

My experience with the Shaker 500 head unit is that it was a royal POS and mine had been replaced TWICE prior to me purchasing the 2006 GT used. Don't even get me started on how unfriendly my experience with this car was with regards to the installation of audio gear. Just about every system I put into it was some sort of compromise.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rage.gif.0ad8a6e5565b5fddce406566fdd05149.gif

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

Take the ford badge off the front and put a dodge one there and all your problems will go away.....haha.


But on a more serious note.....check the factory amps. Notorious for loose connections.

You must drive cars cuz if you drove trucks you wouldlnt be saying that lol

 

[Nikogrel]

Ok, I'm very confused now. The bass is working again. I took the car out to run errands and was driving a total of 3 or 4 hours. The bass didn't shut off even once... and I was BLASTING it.

I'm so confused >_

 

[gunz4me2 10+ year member]

Ok, I'm very confused now. The bass is working again. I took the car out to run errands and was driving a total of 3 or 4 hours. The bass didn't shut off even once... and I was BLASTING it.
I'm so confused >_

Unfortunately, that is a common problem with the Shaker 500 system. It could be in your Radio or your Smart Junction Box, as both are known to cause problems with the S197 mustangs.

 

[Nikogrel]

Unfortunately, that is a common problem with the Shaker 500 system. It could be in your Radio or your Smart Junction Box, as both are known to cause problems with the S197 mustangs.

First off, sorry to "necro" this thread. I've been away for over a week.

I've narrowed it down to the Radio itself... but I never thought to consider the SJB. Is it possible that the SJB could only have a problem with the woofers/amps though? I mean, everything else works fine in the car.

Anyways, the radio just started losing bass again a few days ago. Also, there is a semi-loud "pop" noise a few seconds after I shut the car off almost every time. As best as I can tell, the noise is coming from the woofers. Would that give anyone a better idea of what exactly is causing the problems?

After talking to my wife about it, we decided that we can afford to get a new radio installed if need be. However, she wants in-dash GPS, movie playback and ipod compatibility included if we go that route. Could anyone suggest a really good new unit that will fit in the car and cost around (or under) $1000?