Expert: Cleggsan - 11/22/2010

Question
After my mechanic disconnected the battery I intermittently do not get sound from my stereo, however the stereo it's self shows radio stations, volume etc...

By intermittently I mean occasionally when start the car and it will work for a short period of time then stop. The stereo fuse under the hood is good. I have searched for the problem but cannot find it, any ideas?

Thank you!  

Answer
Do you have a vom (volt ohmmeter)?  Do you know how to take voltage measurements?  You can purchase an inexpensive vom that is invaluable for troubleshooting auto electrics.  Walmart, Home Depot and others have them for under $10 and they can help you with this one.

The key is to make sure the power amp is getting the 12v needed to power it.  There are 2 12v lines; one comes from the battery (through a fuse) and is constantly ON.  The other comes from the head unit and is called the remote wire which turns the amp ON when the head unit comes on. The vom is to check those voltage lines at the amplifier to make sure they are on.

Then check the ground wire to the amp. Must be solid, very ohmic connection to the chassis of the car.

If the amp is working fine and the sound is not getting to the speakers it may be a wiring or connector problem between them.