Premium Audio Problems

[lowd239]

I just bought an 87 325is with premium audio and the volume level will be low right after I start the car but sometimes if I drive a decent distance the radio volume will return to what seems normal and have better clarity than before. It almost seems as if the amplifier was not on when i start the car but comes on after driving a while. I thought it could be a bad battery and the reason the volume would return after a while would be that the batter was finally charged, but I just replaced the battery last week and there was no change. Any thoughts?

[StereoInstaller1]

Wow...don't even know what to say about this one.

If that came into my shop, I would first bench test the deck, make sure it is working properly. Then I would swap the amp. Speakers generally don't "warm up", so they are not a likely culprit.

Is the system sounding good otherwise? Speakers nice and clear?

Someone on here likely has an amp to sell cheap.

Do you plan on changing the deck? If so, bypass the amp altogether.

Oh, I almost forgot. You also have the fader in the dash, so that may be an issue too. Clean it with some contact cleaner. Easy to pop out, spray the backside of it (get inside, y'know) with CRC clkeaner...should help.

GL!
Luke

[lowd239]

Thanks for the reply. The sound is decent in "quiet" mode but if I have the volume all the way up in "quiet" mode there definately is some distortion. I never thought of the fader in the dash but you could be right though I recently changed the bulbs in the obc and had to remove the fader and nothing changed so Im not sure. I wish I was replacing the deck but moneys tight right now and truthfully the stock system when in proper working condition was suiting my needs for the time being. Could it possibly be a loose wire somewhere that only seems to connect after the cars been running for a while?

[StereoInstaller1]

Could it possibly be a loose wire somewhere that only seems to connect after the cars been running for a while?

Highly unlikely, but who knows with 20 year old electricals.

Keep looking for it.

Got pics of your baby?

Luke

[lowd239]

Swapped out the old amp with another amp and the volume level seems to be back to normal. Hopefully this will help anyone who has a similar problem in the future.

[TrentW]

Back from the dead. I've got a CM5907 head unit that I took out of a parts car and need to bench test it before selling. I've got a spare battery sitting here, but don't know which wires to hook up.

Luke?