New components, new problems

Hello all,

I’ve looked through a few threads to see if there is anything similar out there but this seems fairly unique.

Last year I had a new Alpine 650 head unit installed along with a JL amp. I installed new focal speakers. Not long after the new components were in I started getting some fading in the front speakers; Intermittent static and then complete loss of sound from either right or left front speakers. I haven’t quite been able to determine if the rears are going out as well because the issue seems to happen out of the blue and can be difficult to duplicate on demand. Raising the volume will make the problem go away for a minute but then it eventually comes back. It’s most noticeable with podcasts or spoken audio, especially phone calls.

I’ve had the truck in to the shop that did the initial install and they have tried chasing it down twice, and even replaced the amp, but with only temporary joy. The problem has always come back and inevitably on a long trip.

The initial install was done without a crossover because according to the shop, apparently this JL400 amp doesn’t need one (?). I’ve checked the manual and it doesn’t mention needing one.

Before I start pulling off panels and replacing wiring (my last resort) I’d like to ask the community if anyone has had issues like this. Would a crossover fix this? Is it wiring? Connections? Could it be a power issue? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

any solution?

 

None so far. I’m going to bypass the amp and see if that does anything. I’m searching for some YouTube vids on speaker rewiring just in case! Thanks for checking in.

 

Are you in OC, CA?

So them not initially using the crossovers for the components is wrong(unless they went active using a DSP).
If the 4ch Amp is feeding the front components and the rear doors then the components definitely need the crossovers.
The crossovers help protect the speakers from the wrong frequencies(especially the tweeters),
Did they end up installing the crossovers?

I would start by checking all the connections of the speakers and the shape that they are in.

Running new wires would be the first thing I would do, easy enough to get some new 16ga in the door and up into the dash.
Or just run new wires for the dash and use the OEM wires for the doors. The door and dash speakers are tied together on each side,
if they just reused the OEM wires that could be part of the problem.

Its really hard to guess whats going on without pics and detailed descriptions of the install.

I get about 1 Tundra a month from a shop that is/was "The Tundra Shop" for Audio... You would think after a year of fixing their
shitty installed they'd get better, but nope. Good old power wire zip tied to the steering rack, 3 self tappers for every amp ground..

That being said, I'm never really surprised at what I see..... Just disappointed and bummed that they're ripping people off and degrading
the industry.

 

thanks for the reply - Im in Oregon City, OR.

Knowing that the speaker wire replacement is relatively easy is a great starting point. They never did add the crossover and all the wiring besides what was needed for the amp install is OEM. It sounds like a crossover and wiring replacement would be a good idea just to cover the bases.

As for the shop I used, they are fairly reputable for their installs. I guess I was the anomaly.

I’ll post some pics when I get a chance to take the seat out.

thanks again for the info!

Mike