575 hifi amplifier problem

I have been getting a real education reading everyone’s posts and finally need to ask a few questions. My ‘03 575M is equipped with the optional HiFi stereo and has developed a strange problem. The head unit plays well in all modes for 5 – 10 minutes, then
1. Front speakers go silent;
2. Sound becomes muffled in rear speakers; then
3. Rear speakers go silent.

The display works but there is no sound for at least 5-10 minutes. Sound will then return on its own or after I turn the unit off/on. Disconnecting the CD player has no effect. Amplifier becomes warm to very warm. I sent the radio to Becker but they report that it is functioning perfectly and believe that the amplifier is faulty. Their techs claim that they have never encountered this problem before. They were unable to offer a solution aside from buying an OEM amp ($1,800!) or having a stereo shop rewire the system for an aftermarket amp. I plan to maintain the car’s originality, but wanted to get some advice before taking the plunge on a new F-car amp (part#184680 by ASK).

Has anyone encountered this problem?
Is it possible that the amp is not the issue?
Do any of you have an OEM amp for sale?

Thanks!

 

Becker Autosound offers a fine repair service on older units: http://www.beckerautosound.com/

They repaired a Becker Mexico unit for me three years ago. I'm sure they can diagnose and repair your system.

Barry

 

Thanks for the quick response, but as I stated Becker cannot help with this amp problem.

 

I would hunt around for a bad ground for the system. Works fine until things heat up, and then goes south. May not be it, but at least it is cheap.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

I wasn't sure who you contacted regarding repair. The Becker repair facility I posted specifically lists OEM Ferrari-branded Becker units they repair...

http://www.beckerautosound.com/ferrari/index.html

If you've already contacted them and they can't help you, then I'm sure a good audio repair shop should be able to fix your amplifier.

 

I had this problem too with my 575 M (2003).
You can remove the front cover of the HiFi. There you will find the contacts connecting the front cover and the HiFi unit. Try to clean these. In my case I just used air. After some tries it worked perfectely again. The hint came from my mechanic who is very experienced.
Hope this helps in your case as well.
Markus

 

My amp went bad on my 02 575. Replaced it at the dealer with a factory Hi Fi amp. Such a beautiful car, such a crappy sound system. I want to leave mine stock also otherwise I would have just gutted this thing. I am to scared to have someone mess with the wiring.

 

Thanks everyone for your advice and experience! It's great to know that I'm not the only one with this problem. I drove the car today and the stereo worked fine for the first time in a month (crazy isn't it?). I am still going take your suggestions and check/clean the electrical connections and find a shop that can repair the amp if needed. Becker has done a great job repairing several Mercedes radios for me in the past and I was hoping that they could help. However, they seemed a bit confused by this malfunction and didn't really want to get involved with the amp. Hopefully a new one won't be necessary. I am really enjoying my 575 (awesome machine) and being a member of the FChat family!

 

EF- How about some details and photos of your car and we will add it to our FChat database? Serial Number and Assembly Number plus colors and options and whether F1 or manual shifter. Engine number if you want to make Carbon, our resident historian, happy.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Oops...I knew something was missing from my post. My car is:
2003 57M F1 #ZFFBV55A830131532;
Assy# 48577 / Engine# F133E 73514;
Grigio Titanio with Nero Daytona seats, carbon fiber pkg, leather shelf, hifi stereo and shields.

My stereo problem returned today so I'll be breaking out the tools ASAP. Does the amp connector slide off, pull off or have a latch or screw that holds it on?
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as far as fixing the amplifier I have a car audio repair facility and we can fix your ASK amplifier ... Let me know if I can help you!

Scott

 

Exoticfan - I suggest first to clean the electrical contacts. I had exactely the same problem with mine (after 10-30 minutes low sound then speakers going off). Just open the front cover (as if you want to change the nav CD) and clean the contacts. No tools needed. I had to do this 2-3 times and afterwards all worked fine.
Markus

 

Very pretty car. Will incorporate into our data base later today.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Thanks Taz -- fortunately everything else about the car is perfect.

Scott: Thanks for your offer of assistance. If my repair attempts are unsuccessful I'll need to take you up on that.

Markus: Thanks for the suggestion. It doen't sound like you are describing the amplifier. Is the front cover you mentioned on the radio or the CD changer?

I was able to unplug and remove the amp to clean the contacts. Now the fun begins.....

 

Exoticfan: Correct. It is the front cover of the HiFi (not of the CD changer nor the amp itself). There are several contacts behind the front cover.
Just press the right button as to change the nav CD (see picture --> red circle). There are several contacts (see other picture) which I just cleaned by air several times.
After that procedure all worked fine again.
Markus
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Hi Markus

Thanks for the detailed illlustration! I have cleaned the contacts and will check for loose connections before giving her a test drive.

 

More than happy to help as I think that $1800 is about 5 times more than that amp is worth
and buying a new one would be the last thing I would do....

Scott
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I had my ASK amplifier repaired by United Radio Service in East Syracuse, NY. They give a 1 year warranty and had same day service.

Automotive Electronics | United Radio