AdamD

Quick help if anyone can, too much noise in the search. I am having an issue with the rears cutting in and out (mostly out). The dealership has replaced the headunit which didn't fix anything. Now they are blaming the phatbox. Even unplugged I get this though, anyone have any thoughts? They are saying they did continuity checks throughout the system, I'm looking for a hint that will get them to the source of the problem so I don't have to bring my car back a 4th time. Thanks

MacSub

So very unlikely to be the HU as you have now discovered. The amp is the most obvious and probably cause - it's a heap of junk. Probably just a dry joint on the PCB. I'd take it apart and run a soldering iron over every joint, there aren't many, as over time the solder dries out, which is why it's intermittant. If you drive the rears hard it probably doesn't cut out so often as more current flowing, everything running a little hotter etc.
Or for $20 just replace the amp for a small aftermarket number which can run off the stock wiring. Alpine used to do a very small 3501-02 amp (2 x 18wrms) which was the size of two packs of cigarettes which would be more than adequate. Anything bigger and you'd need to run some additional power cabling.

AdamD

I'll take a look since they probably won't . Much appreciated. Thanks

MacSub

Wagon = Avant? Same config to a saloon but not sure where the amp is on the Avant

AdamD

does not have the rear deck setup like the --edit--saloon--end edit so guess I'll be going fishing. Thanks

Togglehead

I think its in the compartment near the CD changer in the avant...