It can be a very annoying problem when a speaker’s sound cuts in and out when it reaches a specific volume. There are different reasons as to why this happens.
Don’t worry. There are a few easy solutions to this nerve-racking problem. Some of the problems could happen due to having many output connections, improper installation, damaged wires, etc.
Therefore, this article will explore the various causes behind a car stereo’s volume cutting in and out and what can be done to fix this issue.
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Why Do Speakers Cut In and Out at High Volumes and What Can You Do About it?
There are two primary reasons for speakers being inconsistent.
· Deficiency in Power Consumption
Most of the time, this happens when the stereo is trying to protect itself from substantial damage. For instance, if your car radio starts turning on and off while driving, there may be a problem in the amplifier, alternator, or voltage issue.
When you deal with circuits that are packed within a tight space, you have to keep in mind the consumption of voltage of all your gadgets connected to the power unit.
In other cases, your stereo might cut in and out because the alternator is unable to provide sufficient charge to your batteries. So, insufficient charging will cause the stereo to cut out.
In addition to this, an increase in bass or volume will result in higher energy consumption. As more power is drawn, the faster the voltage will drop. To resolve this, you can use a voltage meter.
With the meter, you can track the amount of power being drawn on the deck. Having a range below 11.5 volts will indicate a power failure of your batteries.
You can also run some diagnostics on this issue, and the results will show you the places where each measurement is being cut out when it reaches a lower volume on every new reading.
If this is the case, then a battery and a heavy-duty alternator might be needed to maintain a stable supply of power, more so if you have other gadgets connected to it.
However, if you want to resolve this without spending too much, try to adjust the bass settings and frequencies to a lower pace to have a balanced power withdrawal.
· Poorly Installed Head and Ground Units
Another issue might arise from faulty soldering of head units and ground units. This happens during production when the wire connections are twisted or soldered and taped securely in place.
So, you might have to tighten one of the wires before you secure it by either using butt connectors or by resoldering it. However, you might have to strip the wires before you do this slightly.
Other issues regarding grounding can be related to a short somewhere inside the stereo. This happens mostly in the stereos that contain pre-installed circuit fuses inside the head units.
Moreover, this will happen if a blown fuse can still conduct electrical contact inside the circuit, resulting in irregular performance. Weak grounding might also disable your amplifier’s ability to draw power, which will then result in a cutout.
So, if you have a blown fuse, you first have to turn off your power supply and get testing leads and a multimeter set to ohms. With the testing leads of your multimeter, tap against your metallic fuse caps to record the readings.
If you are getting a reading on your meter, you do not have a fuse blown. But if you are not receiving one, then your fuse is probably damaged. So, you have to replace it with a new one and recalibrate your system.
Causes of Speakers Cutting Out at High Volume in Car
Now let’s dive into the causes behind the speaker cutting out at high volume in your car. One of the reasons could be having too many output connections. Matching your stereo to several other links can also be a problem.
This is because some stereos can only power up to a limited number of speakers, and changing the wires won’t make any difference.
To resolve this issue, you need to switch from a cheaper amp to an efficient version with a potent ground unit to keep everything in good order. By using top quality materials, you can increase the bass and enjoy a great stereo experience.
Another reason why your speaker cuts in and out are when the wire gauges are improperly installed. For this, you need to carefully check your gauge connections to see if they are the right size. A proper connection will enable a proper flow of power.
If the wires are too small in size, they won’t be able to supply sufficient power to your speakers, resulting in cutouts at high volumes. On the other hand, a loosely installed wire gauge will also cause serious connectivity issues.
This will make the stereo’s audio unstable or kick out and further cause damage to the wires. To resolve this issue, you need to tighten the ground wires and put them back securely with extra precautions.
If you often travel on rough terrain or roads, this might lead the wires to jolt out of their places and cause wire rubbing or stretching. There is also the factor of the environment in which your vehicle spends the majority of its time.
For instance, if you live by the seaside where there is a lot of salt, there is a higher chance of experiencing rust and corrosion. To prevent this from happening, you need to adequately cover the gaps around your stereo system to protect your wires.
Corrosion can also occur naturally, which you can easily clean and protect with a rust sealant.
In short
Nothing annoys anybody more than experiencing a speaker cut off when enjoying your favorite music during a long trip.
Sometimes, it can be time-consuming to solve this issue because there are several reasons behind the stereo turning on and off.
The problems mentioned above with their solutions will help you tackle the issues and have an uninterrupted experience with the speaker.
One of the important things to keep in mind is to properly install the wires in your stereo system. You can do this by yourself or also get the help of a professional.