4 Reasons Your Car Stereo Stopped Working: Archer Volkswagen Maintenance Tips
The stereo might not be a vital part of your car's ability to get you where you need to go, but it's still important for your sanity! After all, what's worse than getting suck in an unexpected traffic jam? Getting stuck in an unexpected traffic jam with no music or radio to help pass the time, that's what! And since the stereo can help keep you awake and alert on long road trips, it's not something you want to be without.
We've compiled four common reasons why your car stereo has suddenly stopped working. This list is by no means exhaustive, however, so be sure to consult with the pros in our service center at Archer VW about your particular problem.
4. Blown Fuse
If you find that your car stereo stopped working and won't even turn on, it probably has no power. That's commonly caused by a blown fuse.
To protect your car's electrical components from surges and shorts, they're all powered through the fuse box. This includes your car's stereo -- if a surge of electricity should so happen to flow through the system that could damage your stereo, the stereo fuse will blow. This interrupts the flow of electricity, protecting your stereo from damage. But, that means the stereo will stop working. You'll need to replace a blown fuse with an identical one to fix this problem.
3. Bad Antenna
If you prefer to catch up on news, traffic and weather by listening to local radio broadcasts, consider trying to play a CD or Bluetooth audio instead. If your car's stereo seems to work fine when playing from other audio sources, but not the radio, you probably have a problem with the antenna or radio tuner. Modern cars often have their antennae integrated into the rear windshield glass, or in a fin on top of the roof. However, older cars that have retractable or removable antennas can be prone to damage and vandalism. If your car's radio isn't getting a signal, check to make sure the antenna is working correctly and extending if it's designed to do so.
2. Malfunctioning Amplifier
Especially with premium high-performance audio systems, a separate amplifier is often included to help drive the speakers. The amplifier needs a constant voltage to drive the speakers properly -- meaning a problem with your vehicle's battery or alternator could cause your amplifier to malfunction. Amplifiers can also overheat. When the amplifier gets too hot or doesn't get a quality electrical connection, it'll go into "protection mode." This keeps it safe from damage, but it'll stop working properly. This can cause the sound to randomly cut in and out, or simply prevent the amplifier from working altogether.
1. Wiring Problems
If you're not having a problem with the head unit, amplifier or antenna and all the fuses are still in-tact, there might be a wiring issue in your car. For example, if you find that your audio cuts out and back in again when cornering or traveling over bumps, there may be a loose wire that's getting jostled in and out of place as you drive. A fraying, cut, disconnected or shorting wire can cause one speaker to stop working, or cause the entire system to fail. There could even be a ground fault that needs to be fixed.
Since there can be hundreds or even thousands of feet of wire in a modern car, tracking down this problem is tricky for most amateurs. At Archer Volkswagen, we have talented technicians and a variety of sophisticated tools at our disposal to help diagnose your car's stereo problem. Visit our service center to get help with your stereo, so you can enjoy all your favorite tunes once again -- perhaps Simon and Garfunkel's "The Sound of Silence" (instead of, y'know, actual silence).