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M2 Technical Topics > Navigation, iDrive, Audio, Video, Bluetooth, Phone, Cameras, Electronics > HK Amplifier Blown ?

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      01-10-2018, 04:10 AM   #1
SimNugget
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HK Amplifier Blown ?

Anyone else have problems with the Harmon Kardon amplifier?

As soon as my car is unlocked I get super loud (I mean full volume) static and crackles through the stereo and no sound from any source. It is so loud it is deafening and sounds like a thousand stones being thrown at the windows.

After a minute or so it calms down and the music source comes on at regular volume.

Happens on any music source, USB, DAB and only lasts 1-2 minutes after startup.

S

Last edited by SimNugget; 01-10-2018 at 06:49 AM..
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      01-10-2018, 04:54 PM   #2
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Sweep the car for bugs. MI6 is tracking you

Then take it to your dealer for some warranty work.
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      01-11-2018, 09:18 AM   #3
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It's going in tomorrow. I started it last night at the station and couldn't sit inside it for the first few minutes as it was so loud!

It starts as soon as I unlock the car, no way to switch off the iDrive.

S
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      01-17-2018, 06:49 AM   #4
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HK Amp

Had a similar problem except mine started in a busy contra-flow on A1. Really frightened passengers. Again no way of ‘switching off’. Amp was replaced under warranty. PS. Dealer also irritatingly reset / cleared all settings etc on iDrive.
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      01-17-2018, 08:20 AM   #5
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Same issue here.

I pulled the fuse to get it to stop, otherwise there was no way of driving the car to the dealer.

Dealer plugged it back in and said nothing was wrong (go figure), they also updated iDrive/reset everything. So far it has been fine (I swear I hear the odd crackle though).

I am waiting for the day it starts again and scares the shit out of me again.

The only plus of all this, is that the update fixes the backup camera beeping. Now when you put the car into back into drive the beeping stops (no need to pull forward, stop to car, no switch mod needed)
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      01-17-2018, 08:40 AM   #6
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New amp fitted and yes, all the iDrive settings have gone.

And to piss me off further, they removed my red-button MPE bypass!
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      01-17-2018, 10:10 PM   #7
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My amp grenaded itself on my drive to work on Monday. Was listening to talk radio so not anything harsh, heard a really loud POP (sounded like a big rock hit the windshield) followed by a static "fizzle" noise, then no audio at all. Not even the BMW chimes.

(excuse the expletive from my equally shocked passenger when this happened)


Car goes in on Saturday. They asked me to wait so I could get a decent loaner since mine only has 120 miles on it.

Will post here when I get a final diagnosis.
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      01-18-2018, 02:53 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jonahk View Post
My amp grenaded itself on my drive to work on Monday. Was listening to talk radio so not anything harsh, heard a really loud POP (sounded like a big rock hit the windshield) followed by a static "fizzle" noise, then no audio at all. Not even the BMW chimes.

(excuse the expletive from my equally shocked passenger when this happened)


Car goes in on Saturday. They asked me to wait so I could get a decent loaner since mine only has 120 miles on it.

Will post here when I get a final diagnosis.
Same thing just happened to me today in my 2018 M2, except my speakers are still playing audio. Can’t tell if the audio is totally normal though

Last edited by DrAnzo2.0; 01-18-2018 at 02:58 PM..
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      01-18-2018, 03:16 PM   #9
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That's what I had - thought a rock had hit the car.
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      01-18-2018, 04:20 PM   #10
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Have your windows tinted?
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      01-18-2018, 05:35 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m2ruder View Post
Have your windows tinted?
Me? Yes. But not the windshield. That's just the Anker C1 dash cam's natural setting.
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      01-18-2018, 06:11 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jonahk View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by m2ruder View Post
Have your windows tinted?
Me? Yes. But not the windshield. That's just the Anker C1 dash cam's natural setting.
No people that have had their back window tinted have had issues with the tint application solution running down on top of the amp and causing a short or corrosion that shorts out overtime that's why I asked
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      01-18-2018, 06:57 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m2ruder View Post
No people that have had their back window tinted have had issues with the tint application solution running down on top of the amp and causing a short or corrosion that shorts out overtime that's why I asked
I had my back window tinted
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      01-18-2018, 07:32 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DrAnzo2.0 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by m2ruder View Post
No people that have had their back window tinted have had issues with the tint application solution running down on top of the amp and causing a short or corrosion that shorts out overtime that's why I asked
I had my back window tinted
Not saying that is the issue but might possibly have it checked. Do a search on the forum.... think it has been discussed before. Have not had mine tinted.....
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      01-18-2018, 09:08 PM   #15
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What he said ^

If your rear windshield was tinted and your amps fried, chances are the installer accidentally got it wet. It's happened to a few people.
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      01-19-2018, 12:17 AM   #16
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jonahk, were you listening to BBC World Service? Sounds like a British accent!
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      01-19-2018, 12:25 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andrewc89 View Post
What he said ^

If your rear windshield was tinted and your amps fried, chances are the installer accidentally got it wet. It's happened to a few people.
The thing is I heard the pop and hiss sounds, and everything seems to be working normally. I wonder if the amp is permanently damaged.
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      01-19-2018, 11:21 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nezil View Post
jonahk, were you listening to BBC World Service? Sounds like a British accent!
Sure was! Good ear
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      01-19-2018, 11:36 AM   #19
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Thanks m2ruder.

Found another thread for reference:
http://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...php?p=22383557
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      01-20-2018, 12:43 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jonahk View Post
Sure was! Good ear
I'm British myself, perhaps that's why... and I listen to BBC World when I'm not listening to music. I find the news coverage quite neutral, rather than the US news which is always skewed one way or another.

It also allows me to keep up with some of the local news back home, but BBC World is mostly worldwide news rather than British, so that less so much.
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      01-24-2018, 12:46 PM   #21
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Update for those interested:

My HK amp was indeed fried. The tech said it smelled like burning electronics. He also said that these amps are "garbage" but he's glad it failed now and not out of warranty.

I removed the trunk panel for inspection before bringing it in, and the amp/surrounding area was thankfully free of any water spots. However, I let my tint installer know and they will take extra care for future installs.

This wasn't even my thread but thanks again to m2ruder for the heads up on the possible issue.
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      01-24-2018, 06:18 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jonahk View Post
Update for those interested:

My HK amp was indeed fried. The tech said it smelled like burning electronics. He also said that these amps are "garbage" but he's glad it failed now and not out of warranty.

I removed the trunk panel for inspection before bringing it in, and the amp/surrounding area was thankfully free of any water spots. However, I let my tint installer know and they will take extra care for future installs.

This wasn't even my thread but thanks again to m2ruder for the heads up on the possible issue.
Your welcome........ either way. I have not had my windows tinted yet but I will pull the trunk liner out and cover the amp when I do just in case....
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