Car Stereo Repair

Car stereos generally cannot be fully repaired in a do-it-yourself (DIY) manner and may require a professional to repair (or replace) them. However, there are several troubleshooting and maintenance measures one can perform before making an expensive trip to an audio specialist.

Antennas

Be sure your car stereo is the problem. It may be the antenna that needs attention if the stereo plays both AM and PM stations poorly, but if only AM is audible the radio needs repairing. Check to see that the antenna is firmly connected. If the antenna is built into the car (for example, the rear window), it cannot be replaced.

Battery and Wires

Ensure that the car battery is fully charged and that there are no unplugged wires under the dashboard.

Volume Control

When sound is audible but unintelligible, buy some electrical contact cleaner and take apart the unit. Spray the cleaner on the volume control and move it around until it is properly lubricated.

Spark Plugs

Malfunctioning spark plug wires could be the culprit if the audio speeds up as the the engine speed increases and vice versa.

Noise-Suppression Filter

If these fail, replace the noise-suppression filter located on the alternator. You need to buy an exact-replacement unit with installation instructions.

References

• Car Radio Repair

Resources

• Custom Car Stereo Installation