Audi A3: Car Stereo Sound Diagnostic

This article applies to the Audi A3 (2012-Present).

So there you are, driving home in rush hour traffic, trying to forget about another wonderful day at work by blasting your favorite tunes. But suddenly, during the middle of your favorite new song, your Audi's stereo decides that it's going to have a bad day as well and completely stop working. The radio may even indicate that music is, in fact, playing, even though it's not. Even stranger, the radio might sporadically start working again, as if possessed by some evil demon of unhappiness. If your radio is exhibiting any of these behaviors, keep reading and we'll walk you through the process of locating and fixing the problem.

Step 1 – Check your fuses

A blown fuse can cause any number of components to stop working.

There are fuses for your car stereo as well as your stereo system's amplifer in the fuse box on the driver's side of the dash. Remove the dash panel and locate the fuses for both. If your stereo fuse is blown, the stereo won't light up or work at all. If the amplifier fuse is blown, it won't receive the power it needs to send power to your speakers (but the stereo will work).

Pull the fuses out and inspect them. If the metal piece in the center is disconnected or burned, the fuse needs to be replaced. If you can't tell by looking at it, test the fuse to see if it is transmitting power.

If your fuses are in good shape, move on to Step 2.

Step 2 – Check your wiring harnesses

A damaged connection can cause an intermittent or permanent loss of sound.

There is a wiring disconnect in the door with a rubber boot over it, which contains the wiring that goes from the car stereo to the speakers. It's common for the protective boot to wear and the wiring to get damaged over time. This will cause the sound to come on and off, and eventually stop altogether. Inspect the wiring and replace any wires that are frayed, damaged, or simply disconnected.

If the wiring harnesses are all good and the problem still persists, then continue to Step 3.

Step 3 – Check your car stereo/amplifier

A totally blown component could be the source of your problem.

Car stereos and amplifiers (if your car is so equipped) are electrical components with a limited lifespan, so they will eventually just burn out and require replacement. If you have determined that either or both is receiving power but still isn't working, this is likely your problem. However, be sure and check all the wiring in between these components before you spring for new ones. Sometimes the issue is simply a wire that has come loose or been cut altogether. A multimeter will help you determine if the actual component is bad, or if you have an electrical issue elsewhere.

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