Last night on my 52 mile commute home a loud crackely static suddendly come over the speakers. I changed to in dash CD and the static continued, changed to CD changer and the static was still there. This morning the static is still there. This is a loud very poppy, caustic static that has no relation to engine speed. What happened, this makes my drive home even longer.

 

It's probably a failed H/K amplifier, but try to isolate the problem.

Use the balance & fade to select one speaker at a time (left / front, left / rear, right / rear, right / front). Is it all speakers or just one?

Is the static present still with the car turned on but no engine running?
Is it present with engine running but not driving?

Are you still in warranty? Four years / 50K miles - if so, get to the dealership (but tell them the H/K amp has failed so they get a spare in before you arrive).

 

Thanks for the input GBMini I used the fade to isolate the static, it is the front speakers only. The static is present with the car off key on.

 

Then it's almost 100% certain to be the H/K amp.

 

It is fixed. Thank you GBMINI.

 

I'd just like to know, did you get it fixed by the dealer, or did it just go away?

I had similar issues with my HK amp, especially at very low temperatures. They went from intermittant to almost always and I finally had the amp replaced under warranty.

 

I replaced the amp myself, it was very easy. The dealer wanted $790 for a new amp, and I have been out of warrenty for awhile. I did a online parts request nationwide and got a 2004 amp for $150. Took about 20 minutes to install. It is great to have the stereo back.

 

Wow that's a great price. Glad it worked.