P38 subwoofer

[Marshall]

Hi all,

My sub woofer has started to play up... Sometimes, and particularly after lots of rain, whenever I turn the radio on, I get a constant deep "basey" noise from the sub woofer. It basically means I can't even listen to the radio when it happens. Sounds a bit like the base is set to a 1000% And it only really happens after lots of rain, or the occasional car wash if i go to one of those drive through jobbies, but nothing seems damp around the subwoofer???

Any ideas what the problem could be?

Pete

[p38arover]

Pete, what year model? I believe the later models have a different system to mine.

[Marshall]

2000...

[Marshall]

Is there a difference between, say a '97 model or a 2000 model?

Pete

[Scouse]

Earlier cars had a Harman Kardon system whereas yours will be an Alpine.

I don't know if the subwoofers themselves were different though.

Have you had the side trim surrounding the subwoofer off to see if anything is dripping into/onto it?
How's your spare wheel well lately? I'm sure there's a few fishponds around lately.

[Marshall]

No probs with the wheel well... Luckily! Haven't seen any drips, but it is weird that it happens when there is lots of water involved, and only occasionally.
Head unit is alpine, but the speaker system is HK...

[benji]

I believe the Alpine systems had one central amp that is behind the sub. I'm wondering if water is leaking through the back window, or your sunroof drain tube has sprung a leak internally.

Your sub should have two speakers in the enclosure. It's not likely to be the speakers, as they're both humming. It may also be worth while opening up the sub enclosure to check the wiring inside.

[Keithy P38]

I had that humming problem on my old one, water in the dash from leaky windscreen seal got onto the head unit somehow...

[Marshall]

I had that humming problem on my old one, water in the dash from leaky windscreen seal got onto the head unit somehow...

Didn't even think to look there:o

I was looking at replacing the head unit anyway, better see if there is a leak there first... hopefully not an expensive repair if there is a leak:angel:

[Hoges]

FWIW: although the later models have an Alpine head unit, the subwoofer etc is all HK..

cheers