AUDIO Issue - No sound from speakers

[BroncoBenster]

Posting to see if anyone figured out a permanent solution, I have an issue with speakers cutting out randomly. Random outages includes all audio via carplay, radio and even parking sensor alerts/warnings. Only sound that will come through is turn signal. Issues started recently, sometime in November. No rhyme or reason as to why or when, but seems to occur at engine start or when auto start/stop engages. I read somewhere that Bronco system may shut off "non vital" functions if battery voltage too low, but my battery appears to be healthy. As I mentioned, I pulled (and replaced) three fuses to audio control module, sync module and amplifier. Seems to help for a period of time then back to square one. Turning off ignition and letting Bronco sit also helps (most of the time), but it is also a short-term solution as issue continues to occur. Audio issues getting worse as I have now had audio cut off multiple times while chauffeuring kids or running errands and making multiple stops.

I will caveat that in March '24 I had a higher end after market system professionally installed, but my audio guy said he had worked on numerous Broncos with no issues, and said Ford wont touch system under warranty unless audio guy can pinpoint issue. Frustrating that now I am have to sit in silence while I listen to the road noise from my 37s, windows rattling and wind whistling through the hardtop. Joking aside, love my Bronco and it is not perfect, but this audio issue is beyond frustrating.

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[PWillette]

Sounds to me like your audio guy may have missed/glitched something. Is everything grounded properly?

 

[Brian_B]

I’m guessing speaker level turn on isn’t configured right since there is no 12v trigger - but that’s just me guessing

 

[Area51BS]

Easy test would be to connect the aftermarket amp turn on to keyed 12 v. Or leave it as is and just connect one OEM speaker set on the floor to one of the front channel OEM speaker outputs. If sound always works on the test speaker it is the aftermarket system

 

[skater777]

My rear Kicker Key subwoofer amp does this during auto start/stop. The weather has also dropped below freezing and now the amp sometimes takes 5 minutes to turn on after I start my car. I have read that the factory subwoofer turn on voltage is 6V, not 12V, so this could be the culprit. The already low voltage would drop during the start/stop and turn the amp, and since cold weather impacts voltage, it could also be the issue of the delayed turn on.

Definitely have your installer take a look at the 12v remote system. Did he tap into the rear factory remote and use it for all of your amps? He might need to tap into the front instead or bypass the factory turn on wires altogether and tap into another source.

Another thing to check is the amp turn on settings. New amps have a feature called "DC offset" where they rely on voltage from speaker-level inputs to turn on the amp instead of the remote turn on wire. My front Kicker Amp is set to this (not sure about my rear...too hard to access). The wrong settings might be doing this.

All of your sound is impacted because all chimes, beeps, etc. will run through your amp and speakers. My chimes blew my eardrums off after my aftermarket install, but you can change the chime setting in FORscan.

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