Do you have an Audi with a Bang & Olufsen amplifier and a sound problem? Unfortunately, even such a prestigious manufacturer has not protected its equipment against various faults. If the music in your car has suddenly stopped playing or the equipment is showing other anomalies, then… we have lots of good news for you!
By reading this post you will learn:
- How to identify your amplifier
- How to find it in the car
- What the symptoms of a fault are
- What causes amplifier damage
- Whether a broken amplifier can be repaired
Information about the Lear for Bang & Olufsen amplifier
This amplifier is manufactured by Lear on behalf of Bang & Olufsen. Lear is an experienced manufacturer of automotive equipment and electronics, able to meet the client's high requirements.
On the amplifier housing you will find the name: 10KANAL Most DSP.
This amplifier was fitted in:
- A4 Audi A4/Avant 2008-2012 A4
- Audi A4/S4/Avant/qu. 2008-2012 A4Q
- Audi A5/S5 Cou. Sport. 2008-2011A5CO
- Audi A4 allroad quattro 2010-2016 A4AR
- Audi A4L 2009-2017 A4L
- Audi A4/S4/Avant/qu. 2008-2012 A4Q
- Audi A5/S5 Cou. Sport. 2012-2017 A5CO
- Audi Q5 2009-2012 AQ5
- Audi Q5 2013-2017 AQ5
- Audi Q5 2010-2017 AQ5C
- Audi RS5 Coupe quattro RS5
The amplifier communicates with other devices via the fibre-optic MOST bus. The unit is assigned exclusively to your car and protected by the Component Protection system. You can read more about this system later in the article. For now, we’ll explain how to recognise whether this article applies to your Lear for Bang & Olufsen amplifier.
How can you identify your amplifier?
With our help, you can identify your unit without any trouble. Just compare the part numbers below with the number on your own unit. Wondering where your amplifier is located? We’ll tell you in a moment.
Here are the part numbers:
- 8T0035223C
- 8T0035223F
- 8T0035223H
- 8T0035223M
- 8T0035223P
- 8T0035223Q
- 8T0035223T
- 8T0035223AE
- 8T0035223AD
- 8T0035223AK
- 8T0035223AL
- 8T0035223AN
- 8T1035223A
Where is your Bang & Olufsen amplifier fitted?
You’ll find it on the right-hand side in the boot – fixed to a metal frame and hidden under a plastic cover. This is a fairly standard location, but it can be the cause of problems with your amplifier.
What are the symptoms of a faulty amplifier?
Most often, our customers report a sudden loss of sound. They are listening to music while driving and then the sound cuts out, even though the radio stays on and the display works without any problems. Another symptom may be no sound together with the mmi display switching off: it comes on briefly, then goes out and there is no response. Do the symptoms described above match yours? They may vary depending on the fault, but they generally follow the same pattern. What causes them?
What causes Bang & Olufsen amplifier faults?
One reason is voltage spikes in the electrical system, which lead to a short circuit. There is another, much worse reason, namely… dampness!
Fitting the amplifier in the boot is typical across the automotive industry. It is also often the final straw for the amplifier’s sensitive electronics because of the moisture present in the boot. Sometimes it gets a bit of rain in there, at other times we carry something wet – for example, snow-covered boots. The seals are also to blame, as over time they lose their properties and may let drops of water into the boot. The water reaches the amplifier housing, and the fan happily sprays it onto the electronics. The cooling system also causes damp dust to settle on the main board and intensifies the destructive corrosion.
What does corrosion do to electronics? It eats away at everything – from the smallest components all the way to the main board and its tracks. Sometimes amplifiers are so badly corroded that the only solution is to replace the main board. Fortunately, such cases are rare, and if you act quickly, you can effectively reduce the risk of serious damage.
Your amplifier is faulty – what now?
The simplest option is an expensive replacement with a new one. In our view, that is a waste of both equipment and money. A new amplifier may start corroding after a while just as readily as its broken predecessor. Used equipment is even worse – buying it is a very costly lottery.
You also cannot rely on the manufacturer – they have no intention of replacing or repairing your unit. It may seem that you either stop listening to music in your car or spend a lot of money on equipment that offers no guarantee of trouble-free operation. But there is one more option…
Amplifier repair
At Komtel Serwis, we have been “bringing factory car-audio systems back to life” for years and repairing even hopeless cases. Others may try to convince you that your equipment is only fit for the bin or that servicing it is impossible, but we have better news for you:
Your broken amplifier is now only suitable… for repair!
Want to enjoy superb sound in your car again?
Don’t want to overpay for unreliable equipment?
Want your repaired amplifier to serve you for many more years?
Then see how we repair Bang & Olufsen at Komtel Serwis!
What does professional Bang & Olufsen amplifier repair in Audi look like?
When your unit reaches us (either in person or sent by courier), the first step is diagnosis. We’ll check your amplifier and locate the fault.
Signs of corrosion are visible at first glance. However, when it comes to damage caused by a short circuit, in most cases the diagnosis will show the following irregularities:
- Fault code 13 or 14 in the diagnosis
- Incorrect current draw, i.e. 360 -> 450mA – the amplifier does not switch on the power output stages or the converter
Once we know the cause of the fault, we will contact you and give you a quote. This whole process is FREE.
We will start repairing your amplifier once you accept our offer. If for any reason you do not want to use our services, we will send your unit back at no extra cost.
Let’s assume you have accepted the quote and we are starting the repair. This is how it looks step by step:
Hardware damage
In the event of a short circuit, we will identify the damaged components and replace them with new ones. We will then test the equipment and make sure it is fully functional. The final stage will be protecting your amplifier against corrosion. We describe this process in detail below.
Damage caused by contact with liquid
If the amplifier has been flooded or exposed to dampness, the procedure is as follows:
- We will clean the amplifier of dust and, depending on the extent of the corrosion, remove the components from the damaged area of the board.
- We will repair the corroded tracks. We will fill in the missing sections with solder so as to restore all connections and remove any short circuits.
- Once we have repaired the main board, we will solder all the components back in place. Any that are damaged are always replaced with NEW ones suitable for use in cars.
- At this stage, the amplifier is already complete and should work like new. However, we never rely on assumptions, so it now faces a full functional test. We also have the option of simulating the amplifier’s connection in the car, allowing us to test the operation and communication of the entire system and the MOST bus.
Is that the end? Someone might say yes, but in our opinion, leaving the amplifier in this state would be… shoddy workmanship.
The finishing touch to the repair is protecting the electronics against corrosion. We use a special compound for this, which, once dry, resembles plastic. In our view, this is the best way to protect your equipment against future corrosion.
A curious fact is that these amplifiers do NOT come with such protection from the factory…
The whole repair takes us 2-3 days on average.
Important information: we carry out anti-corrosion treatment every time. You should also make sure your amplifier works in optimal conditions. What can you do?
Get rid of moisture
An extremely important factor for trouble-free operation of your amplifier is the absence of moisture in the boot. Experience shows that even the best protection will not help if the equipment is exposed to prolonged contact with water. So before you fit it back in, make sure the bodywork is watertight and the boot is dry.
And that way you’ll be able to enjoy music in your car again! The amplifier that seemed fit only for the bin will once again impress with its power. What’s more, it will be better protected than when it left the factory.
Repair with us brings you plenty of extra benefits, which you can read about below.
Entrusting us with the repair has one more major advantage, thanks to which you will save a lot of money. We should only add that we are one of the few workshops to offer this option.
What do we mean?
Component Protection – how to avoid unnecessary costs?
Some people take the easy route by replacing entire main boards. In such a case your amplifier also has to be programmed so it can work with other devices in your car. This is called Component Protection. It is a system that prevents unauthorised hardware changes.
Replacing the main board is a last resort. We do this only when the damage is catastrophic – beyond repair. Another reason for reprogramming is physical damage to the memory, but this is very rare. The result? More than 90% of faulty units repaired by us do not require programming. You simply refit them in the car. With a professional repair you save money.
And now find out about the other benefits of repair at our workshop.
We restore the comfort of travelling by car
Many companies offer car amplifier repairs, but only at Komtel Serwis do we have our own methods of measurement, testing and fault removal. We always use new components adapted for use in cars. We give you peace of mind, meaning a 1-year warranty on our service (the warranty applies only in the case of hardware damage to the amplifier).
Every time:
- we carry out an operating test before and after repair
- we eliminate incorrect current draw (which could drain the battery)
- we verify communication over the MOST bus
- we treat the unit with a special anti-corrosion agent
All of this is what professional repair of a water-damaged or burnt amplifier means to us. Will you get the same quality from another workshop?
Anything else? Yes, that’s not all!
We care about your comfort and know how frustrating audio equipment faults are. That is why we will send the unit back to you IMMEDIATELY after repair and testing. We will not wait for your payment – we will send it by courier cash on delivery. A well-protected parcel with the amplifier will reach you in no time. You pay for the service on delivery.
By choosing our service, you get:
- Free diagnosis and quote
- Confidence in an effective repair
- Full amplifier operating test after repair
- Professional corrosion protection
- 2-3 days of service and express shipping
- 12 months' warranty on the service performed (for hardware damage)
- You do not replace the unit, so you save money
Your amplifier can once again impress you with its sound!
Don’t wait – don’t let corrosion and short circuits wreak havoc in your amplifier. Contact us – click the Get a repair quote online button.
