# Troubleshooting a Car Stereo System **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 5, 2006, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troubleshooting-a-car-stereo-system/347162 "2006-03-05T18:40:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2006, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troubleshooting-a-car-stereo-system/347162/1 "2006-03-05T18:40:38Z")
Right now my car stereo sounds as if the equilizer is turned all the way down. I can turn the volume up, and the speakers will get very loud. But, there just isn’t any depth to the sound. No bass, no treble… just very flat, albeit loud, sound. Any ideas what can cause this? I have a 2002 Mustang with the Mach sound system. I just got back from one audio place and they told me I would have to replace the ENTIRE system. I find it hard to believe that not even the SPEAKERS are compatible with aftermarket stereos. Is that true? How can those speakers only work with factory Mach components?? I’m a little cautious and skeptical. If the stereo itself is broke, I’d just like to replace the dash unit with something else - even another factory unit. Why’s that so hard? Why do I need to replace everything? Is there something simple that may be wrong. Something I could fix more easily than a 800 dollar refab on my car’s audio?? I’m not a big audiphile, and I wouldnt normally even spend money on the sound system. But the sound it’s producing right now is pretty terrible. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2006, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troubleshooting-a-car-stereo-system/347162/2 "2006-03-05T18:59:11Z")
[Mach Sound System](http://www.fordvehicles.com/help/glossary/index.asp?letter=m) Sounds like some EQ sub-section of your electronics has died. Maybe the hookup needed to drive the 4 subs requires a special head unit? > [@](#): > > MACH 460 Sound System > Premium audio system available on select vehicles, it comes complete with AM/FM stereo cassette, four subwoofers, four midrange tweeters, and 460 watts of peak power. > Mach MP3 Music System > The Mach MP3 Music System is primarily available as a factory-installed option and/or as a key standard feature on the 2002 Ranger, Mustang, Escape XLS Sport Package and Escape XLT Midnight Appearance Package. It is a full-featured AM/FM/CD player that can play MP3-formatted music (up to 253 songs or 10 hours) CD-Rs, CD-RWs and standard audio CDs and allows the user to dial up or down quickly to a favorite tune anywhere on the disc. It provides excellent radio and CD sound quality and allows quick access to any song on an MP3 CD. > MACH® 460 Sound System > Premium audio system available on select vehicles which comes complete with AM/FM stereo cassette, four sub-woofers, four mid-range tweeters, and 460 watts of peak power. [However this says the mach system](http://www.evisteon.com/prod_serv/mobile_electronics/products/mach_460/index.shtml) will work with any head unit > [@](#): > > Packages work with existing factory head units or a wide range of upgraded radio head units. > > Technical Specifications > One high-pass amplifier with 60 watts C.A.P./120 watts peak power at 2 percent total harmonic distortion > Two low-pass subwoofer amplifiers with 85 watts C.A.P./170 watts peak power > Four 5.5 inch x 7.5 inch subwoofers > Two rear-seat woofers > Two front-door woofers > Four 2.5 inch midrange/tweeters > Works with existing factory head unit > Available in United States, Canada and Mexico I suspect you need to go to a few more professional audio places and tell them the scenario. It sounds like you’re being played. [If it’s the speakers here’s a replacement set for $300.](http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004-MACH-1-MUSTANG-MACH-SOUND-SYSTEM-SPEAKERS-LKQ_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ38646QQitemZ8042848694QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW) [Here’s the entire head unit (currently @ 51.00)](http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MACH-460-STEREO-SYSTEM-MUSTANG-2002_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ38646QQitemZ8043795239QQrdZ1) ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2006, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troubleshooting-a-car-stereo-system/347162/3 "2006-03-05T21:55:29Z")
Did it just happen on its own, or did you do something or change something just before it happened? ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2006, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troubleshooting-a-car-stereo-system/347162/4 "2006-03-06T01:55:35Z")
This is justa WAG but in thinking about it the “going flat” effect is sometimes a symptom of an audio system going out of phase. With a multi-speaker multi-amp lash up like the Mach system this might possibly be caused by a crossed or loose harness wire or just one dead speaker/amp. Even a metal screw penetrating a harness wire might do it if you installed anything lately. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2006, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troubleshooting-a-car-stereo-system/347162/5 "2006-03-06T03:00:31Z")
Appreciate the input. As far as what may have happened, I don’t know. I was letting my father drive it to and from work while I was out of the country. I know that he had to change the alternator and the battery sometime during the past year - so I assumed there may have been some kind of electrical problem that may have hurt the audio system. A buttload of sensors have gone out too. So my gas cap light AND my check engine lights are both on as well. Maybe a power line fell on the car when he wasn’t looking. . .