Please Help - Radio/amp? Problems

[mmehtas]

A couple of days ago, parked at a stop light, I suddenly started to hear LOUD clicking and crackling noises. The radio was off at this point. When I turned it on, it would suddenly come on at high volume and then go silent. This continued intermittently for a while and then the radio started to function normally.

Now, every time I start the car, I get these loud clicking noises, and the radio comes on at full volume for a brief second, and then dies. There is silence for most of the ride, except for the occasional clicking noises. If the radio is in the "ON" position, the clicking noises are interrupted by a brief output from the radio (at full volume) and then back to silence for a while. The voice navigation works normally.

Any ideas as to what this could be? I am afraid it is my amp which I hear is $1400 for my 2001 LS 430. If it is the amp, do I have any cheaper alternatives?

Thanks for any help on this.

[dcfish]

A couple of days ago, parked at a stop light, I suddenly started to hear LOUD clicking and crackling noises. The radio was off at this point. When I turned it on, it would suddenly come on at high volume and then go silent. This continued intermittently for a while and then the radio started to function normally.

Now, every time I start the car, I get these loud clicking noises, and the radio comes on at full volume for a brief second, and then dies. There is silence for most of the ride, except for the occasional clicking noises. If the radio is in the "ON" position, the clicking noises are interrupted by a brief output from the radio (at full volume) and then back to silence for a while. The voice navigation works normally.

Any ideas as to what this could be? I am afraid it is my amp which I hear is $1400 for my 2001 LS 430. If it is the amp, do I have any cheaper alternatives?

Thanks for any help on this.

It sounds like the amp [ sorry to say ] Try shopping around wrecker yards, Put in a parts request and you will receive emails from several used parts houses in no time at all. Google search [used car parts ] and choose the top 3-4 links. Good luck

[litzdog911]

Be sure to check all of the connectors and connections at the amp and head unit. It could be something as simple as a loose/intermittent power or audio connection.

[mmehtas]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. I appreciate the help.

[mmehtas]

Is there an easy way to tell which brand of amp I have in the 2001 LS 430? It has the Mark Levison system with the DVD navigation. Thanks!

[dcfish]

Is there an easy way to tell which brand of amp I have in the 2001 LS 430? It has the Mark Levison system with the DVD navigation. Thanks!

It is a Mark Levinson digital amp. Can not be replaced with anything else.