Harman Kardon Amplifier Problems

Canonite · 18th January 2021, 09:45

I have the Highline and HK system in my 180 SE, it is also fitted with the CD Widescreen, BM54 and the MK4 nav drive.

I've noticed on occasion that the channels can crackle. So far this has mainly been on the left side, more the rear but also sometimes the front.
The issues can be light crackling like static or can be very loud POPPING which can be quite a shock while driving. The other night, I had to go out to the car at around 11pm as the speakers were crackling and popping like crazy. The car had been locked for hours so I would have assumed everything was powered down.

Now I know these issues are most common on the Becker BM24 and 54 units, so I removed the BM54 and also once it had powered down, removed the MK4 also. There was a bit of moisture behind the liner and I assumed that was the problem. But when I went back out with these items removed the crackling and popping was still there, despite not having a Highline amp fitted. The crackling and popping only stopped when I removed the Harman Kardon amp.

Soooo, the HK amp had water dripping from itand after removing the board itself there is a little corrosion around certain points.

Anyone able to confirm if this has happened before with HK amps?
Anyone repair them?

18th January 2021, 09:45	#1
Canonite This is my second home BMW 330d Tourer, MG ZT 180 SE XPG, VW Polo 6R 1.2 TDI Bluemotion Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: York Posts: 6,022 Thanks: 363 Thanked 574 Times in 319 Posts	Harman Kardon Amplifier Problems I have the Highline and HK system in my 180 SE, it is also fitted with the CD Widescreen, BM54 and the MK4 nav drive. I've noticed on occasion that the channels can crackle. So far this has mainly been on the left side, more the rear but also sometimes the front. The issues can be light crackling like static or can be very loud POPPING which can be quite a shock while driving. The other night, I had to go out to the car at around 11pm as the speakers were crackling and popping like crazy. The car had been locked for hours so I would have assumed everything was powered down. Now I know these issues are most common on the Becker BM24 and 54 units, so I removed the BM54 and also once it had powered down, removed the MK4 also. There was a bit of moisture behind the liner and I assumed that was the problem. But when I went back out with these items removed the crackling and popping was still there, despite not having a Highline amp fitted. The crackling and popping only stopped when I removed the Harman Kardon amp. Soooo, the HK amp had water dripping from itand after removing the board itself there is a little corrosion around certain points. Anyone able to confirm if this has happened before with HK amps? Anyone repair them?