A great car must also have great sound. It’s no different in the Audi TT with Bose audio. Unfortunately, the amplifiers fitted in these cars are exposed to various faults, which means they stop working, you can hear a whine in the speakers, the MMI system resets or works incorrectly. These are unpleasant problems, but the good news is that we know how to fix them. See how we do it at Komtel Serwis!
Bose amplifier not working – does this article apply to your unit?
Traditionally, let’s start by identifying the car and the unit. Below we give you the information that will let you easily confirm whether this article explains the problems affecting your amplifier.
Let’s start with the cars. The Bose amplifier covered here was fitted to the following models from 2007-2014
- Audi TT
- Audi TT Coupé
- Audi TT Roadster
Identifying the car is one thing. To be 100% sure, check the part number on the label of your amplifier and compare it with the numbers below:
– 8J0035223, 8J0 035 223
– 8J0035223A, 8J0 035 223A
– 8J0035223B, 8J0 035 223B
– 8J0035223C, 8J0 035 223C
– 8J0035223D, 8J0 035 223D
– 8J0035223F, 8J0 035 223F
Where is your amplifier located?
The Bose amplifier in your Audi TT is in the boot, on the driver’s side.
Have you found the amplifier and compared the serial numbers? Great, now let’s talk about the symptoms of the fault.
Typical symptoms of a Bose amplifier fault in Audi TT
From experience, we can identify three symptoms of a Bose amplifier fault. These are:
- complete silence from the speakers
- crackling, whistling and other audio system faults
- the MMI system resetting or working incorrectly
Sound familiar? You should know that sometimes the symptoms of the same fault can differ slightly, so for peace of mind it’s best to contact us. You’ll find the contact form at the bottom of this page, but for now let’s get back to our amplifier – it’s time to explain which faults cause sound problems in your car.
Causes of the fault – what is causing the problems?
Bose amplifier faults in Audi TT occur as a result of 4 typical factors. Let’s discuss them all so that we can explain where the sound problems in your Audi TT come from.
1. Flooding – moisture ingress into the amplifier
Moisture + electronics = trouble. Nothing new there, especially as your amplifier is in the boot. You often carry various items there that can leave moisture inside it, particularly in winter. Unfortunately, the manufacturer did not protect the amplifier with a special moisture-resistant coating, which is why problems of this kind are so common. We do not make that mistake: every amplifier that comes through our hands receives a special protective coating to prevent moisture damage in future. Let’s move on to the next cause of faults, which is related to dampness.
2. Main board corrosion
Corrosion usually appears after a longer time, when the amplifier is constantly exposed to liquids. However, there are certain factors that can significantly speed it up: dust, sand and salt. Dust is everywhere and that surprises no one, but where would sand or salt come from in your amplifier? It turns out they can get inside the unit through leaks in the bodywork. The amplifier cover has ventilation openings through which contaminants get inside and settle on the main board. The result is serious damage to tracks and components, which require thorough cleaning and rebuilding of connections.
3. Errors in the amplifier control software
This fault usually shows up as a complete lack of sound. In addition, the diagnostic system displays lots of different speaker-related errors. During an OBD2 diagnostic test (e.g. using VCDS or VCP), the following problems most often appear:
- the amplifier can be diagnosed, but it throws errors such as control unit defective, power stage defective
- the amplifier cannot be diagnosed at all (the module at address 47 is unavailable)
Where do these errors come from if everything used to work without a problem? As a result of dust, but also shocks and simply the passage of time, shorts or open circuits can appear in the amplifier electronics. These are what cause the problems above and why the diagnostic system reports errors.
4. Burnt components on the amplifier board
And so we come to the final cause of faults – burnt electronic components. The reason for this damage is a faulty wiring harness in the car – if a short circuit occurs in it, there is a high probability that a much greater current will flow through the amplifier than it should. However, that is not the only reason, because your Audi TT may have another amplifier killer – a worn battery. If the battery in your car starts to fail, it creates a significant risk of electronic damage due to large current spikes. A faulty battery can also be the source of the problem, so do not delay replacing it. We guarantee that this will save you a lot of money and stress.
You now know the typical faults of Bose amplifiers in Audi TT. These are what cause the sound problems in your car. The question now is, what should you do about it? Go to an authorised dealer? Buy a new (used) amplifier on the internet? We have a much better and cheaper solution for you…
We will repair your amplifier!
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 amplifier 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?
Want your repaired amplifier to serve you for many years to come?
Then see how we repair Bose at Komtel Serwis!
What does a professional Bose amplifier repair in an Audi TT 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.
Once we know the cause, we will contact you and give you a quote. This process is FREE.
We will start repairing your amplifier once you accept our offer. If for any reason you decline, we will send your unit back to you without any questions.
Let’s assume you have accepted the quote and we are starting the repair. This is how it looks step by step:
Damage caused by contact with liquid/corrosion
If the amplifier has been damp or corroded, the procedure is as follows:
- We will clean the amplifier of dust and remove the components from the damaged area.
- We will repair the corroded tracks. We will rebuild all connections and remove any short circuits.
- We will solder all the components back in place. Any damaged ones are always replaced with NEW parts suitable for use in cars.
- At this stage the amplifier is tested. We also have the option of simulating the amplifier’s installation in the car, allowing us to test the operation and communication of the entire system.
The final stage of the repair is protecting the electronics against corrosion. For this we use a special compound that, once dry, resembles plastic.
Damage caused by short circuits and burnt components
In this case, we first connect the amplifier to diagnostic equipment. Once the diagnosis is complete, we inspect the main board and locate all damaged components. Measurements taken with meters and an oscilloscope will help with this. Once we have removed all burnt components and repaired any open circuits, it is time for a functional test. If the amplifier works correctly, that means everything is in order. If not, we repeat the diagnosis and continue searching for faulty components until we get to the bottom of it. Sometimes it may be necessary to reinstall the amplifier software from scratch – we have no problem with that.
The whole repair takes us an average of 3 days, although sometimes it may take longer due to unusual or very extensive damage.
Get rid of moisture
An important factor in the trouble-free operation of your amplifier is the absence of moisture in the boot. Therefore, before refitting it, make sure the bodywork is watertight and the boot is dry.
Let the music play!
And there it is! Your Bose amplifier is working properly again, and music is playing in your Audi once more! All thanks to expert repair and the knowledge we have built up over the years. Repairing your amplifier at Komtel Serwis brings many benefits, which we talk about just below.
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 a functionality test before and after repair
- We rule out an incorrect current draw (which could drain the battery)
- We verify communication via the MOST / CAN bus
- We protect the unit with a special anti-corrosion treatment.
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 is still not the end!
We will send the repaired unit back to you IMMEDIATELY after the repair and tests. We will not wait for your payment – we will send it by courier cash on delivery. The 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
- Typical repair time is 3 days
- 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 delight you with its sound!
