Rear amp got wet, caused burning smell, made speakers crackle but still will work

[Vanimal]

Long story short i came out from work and i heard this crackling popping sound from the speakers when i started the car. It HEAVILY downpored here today in PA, didn't make this sound this morning at 6am. Made a burning smell, and the sound from the speakers was horrible. But I needed to get home so i dealt with the smell and turning the MMI off seemed to help a bit with the windows cracked and climate control on. I did poke around the fuse boxes before i left work, but the parking lot was dark. . BUT when i got home it dawn'd on me to check the amp on the left side . Sure enough it had a little puddle on top of the black plastic covering the amp and sounded like it had fans running inside. I quickly dried it off and have had MMI screen off via holding the knob and the burning smell subsided.

NOW the MMI still does work, even worked when i made a bluetooth call to my fiance on the way home. It did at one point shut off and go black as well and the buttons around the center console did not illuminate red on the way home. But when i hit the volume knob it brought it back up. But i have it off as of now, so it just shows the "S5" screen and the speakers are no longer crackling or popping. Radio and all still works. I am thinking i should let it dry for a day or so, is there a way i could pull a fuse, or just leave it off?


Now granted i have NEVER had this problem before, although after research i am aware its a design flaw. But the amp is on the side that the quarter panel was repaired when i had someone roll into me from a stop sign in the summer. Here is a picture "before" i wiped it down. Maybe something in the trunk lid needs to be sealed better?


Oddly I'm going tomorrow to get my new door blade installed and a new aluminum door trim I wanted them to fix at the body shop. They ultimately did a good job, I'm going to bring this up to them. Car was fixed in August and have no problems in rain since. But it rained like hell all day today. Always something MAN! At least i am off tomorrow and can sleep in

PS: I do not have the B&O system, just the normal one that comes in the S5.

[Vanimal]

Just drove to the gym, no heavy smell or heavy crackle. Didn't put the MMI on, just kept the S5 screen up. This does look to be a design flaw, water can just rush in when you open the trunk and drop right on the amp .


And the temp hood fix or preventative more damage lmao.


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[Vanimal]

Small update. OCD kicked in, ran out at 10:30 and decided to unbolt the damn thing. It's supposed to rain all day tomorrow anyway. Maybe I can dry it out with the dry humid air inside. Prior to taking it out, MMI will work 100% just getting some feedback in the speakers and some water/electronics smell from the amp while plugged up. At least the cars able to be driven. I'll let it dry out for a day or two. Maybe test the iPhone 7 speaker for some tunes in the car lol? Staying positive .








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[shonseb]

I'd say this is something related to the accident and repair. Even a heavy downpour should not cause this. Also the fact that this only happened now after the accident points to that as being the cause, otherwise you would have had the issue before like when you wash your car and open the trunk to dry. Maybe there is something not channeling or draining the water properly after the accident?

[Crucible35]

^^^^i agree that the repair likely caused this..... but not uncommon considering that they always recommend to make sure to cover your rear amp when getting tint done to avoid water getting in.

[bknewtype]

looks like confetti bday cake. nommmmm

:D

[Vanimal]

I agree, just dropped the car off and showed it to them. In all honestly the side the amp is on looks exactly the same as the passenger side & it definitely looks like it's dropping from the top. That's where it puddled at least.

I absolutely think I did the right thing unplugging the amp as I may be able to let it dry out since it essentially got splashed upon. Black plastic cover is really where it puddled. I'll give you guys a update. Used my iPhone for some tunes on the way dropping the car off. At least not speaker popping sounds or water/electronic smell this morning lol.


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[Porschephd]

If you smell something burning chances are drying it out will not help. I would look for a burned traces or popped capacitor or transistor. Should be pretty obvious and you should be able to tell the area where it was burning by smelling the board (sure there is a joke somewhere there) The water connected your groud to +12Volts where it shouldn't.

[shonseb]

Btw, I would also check the spare wheel well where the battery sits. If you did have a puddle where your amp was, there's no reason it can't seep down into the spare wheel well.

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[Vanimal]

Ok good news. They found out the rubber grommet in the trunk channel wasn't fully seated. So when it rained the water that channeled down was slowly leaking in dropping right on the amp.

Also they said if the module is bad they will order a new one since it's right there and the insurance would cover that. I'm going to let it dry out for a few days. Plug it back in and if it does the same thing they'll order a new one. Insurance would cover he said.


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[Porschephd]

Thats good news. I would let them replace it anyway. There is no telling if the amp fires up how long it will take corrosion to set in. Issues with the amp (if it powers on) is not if just when.

[Vanimal]

Thats good news. I would let them replace it anyway. There is no telling if the amp fires up how long it will take corrosion to set in. Issues with the amp (if it powers on) is not if just when.

It is, they have been helpful can't complain. It's going to mildly suck not hearing the radio on the way home from work for a short time. At least the climate control led screen shows the direction the air is venting from. Tunes from my iPhone will do for now, could be worse. Scared the shit out of me when I heard all those crackles and pops coming from the speakers among the smell the other day. Not the best thing to come out of work to. Car smelled like the nappa leather again today which was refreshing to say the least.

Back up camera chirp still works I noticed even though the MMI screen isn't showing anything lol.


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[plat]

Over at A5OC there are several threads about water leaking in the left area of the trunk where the amp is located and damaging it in the process. Here is one such thread: http://www.a5oc.com/forums/a5-s5-top...09-a5-b-o.html

It is a good thing that you amp was not damaged but it almost did. It is a well known issue with PFL A5/S5 models. There is a drip shield that you can install over the amp to prevent any water from dripping directly on it. According to the thread above, it is:

The part number for the deflector is 8T0 863 681. The expanding rivets are 4B0 863 907A 01C, and 3 are required. I have recently fitted the deflector - it was relatively straightforward.

In case you did damage your amp, there is a company in NJ called Paulison that fixed them. Here is their website: http://paulisoncorpserv.com/ . Some members in this forum as well as other Audi forums have used them with no issues.

[Vanimal]

Over at A5OC there are several threads about water leaking in the left area of the trunk where the amp is located and damaging it in the process. Here is one such thread: http://www.a5oc.com/forums/a5-s5-top...09-a5-b-o.html

It is a good thing that you amp was not damaged but it almost did. It is a well known issue with PFL A5/S5 models. There is a drip shield that you can install over the amp to prevent any water from dripping directly on it. According to the thread above, it is:



In case you did damage your amp, there is a company in NJ called Paulison that fixed them. Here is their website: http://paulisoncorpserv.com/ . Some members in this forum as well as other Audi forums have used them with no issues.

Awesome thank you very much for those links. You are a lifesaver with those links!

I did come across some threads from forums last night googling. Just was so exhausted as I'm doing 50/60 work weeks this month so I was just "skimming"

That's a great heads up about that company in NJ. I'm actually in PA not very far. I assume if after I let it fully air out the next 2 days and it's still damaged. If he repairs it I assume it won't need recoding since it's my physical amp from my car already programmed?

I see he has the B&O version repair for $399, I have the non B&O but with satellite radio, the Harmen Becker one. I think on ECS they are like $600 new. I wouldn't even care if my insurance company got me a refurb one as long as it works. I'll have to call and get a quote on a non B&O one from them.

Thanks again.


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[plat]

That's a great heads up about that company in NJ. I'm actually in PA not very far. I assume if after I let it fully air out the next 2 days and it's still damaged. If he repairs it I assume it won't need recoding since it's my physical amp from my car already programmed?

I see he has the B&O version repair for $399, I have the non B&O but with satellite radio, the Harmen Becker one. I think on ECS they are like $600 new. I wouldn't even care if my insurance company got me a refurb one as long as it works. I'll have to call and get a quote on a non B&O one from them.

Thanks again.


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I think you are correct. Your amp is probably still have some traces of dampness in some places if it is still acting up once in a while. Or, corrosion has already set in and affecting some components on the board. If you have insurance, best to have the amp replaced with a new one. You're covered anyway.

Don't quote me on it but it is reasonable to say, that if you have your amp repaired, there won't be any coding necessary since it is essentially still the original amp. Best to give the guys at Paulison a call so they can answer your questions.

[Vanimal]

I think you are correct. Your amp is probably still have some traces of dampness in some places if it is still acting up once in a while. Or, corrosion has already set in and affecting some components on the board. If you have insurance, best to have the amp replaced with a new one. You're covered anyway.

Don't quote me on it but it is reasonable to say, that if you have your amp repaired, there won't be any coding necessary since it is essentially still the original amp. Best to give the guys at Paulison a call so they can answer your questions.

Thanks I will. I'll give it 2 days and plug it back up real fast without bolting it back it. If it's doing the same, new one it is.


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[Vanimal]

Update: Plugged it back it after about 4 days. MMI boots up fine radio works, but you can tell that water sat to long somewhere on the board. Didn't make any fouls smells but speakers have feedback and go in and out.

Called the shop, it's covered. Sent them a picture and they are ordering a new one. And also coordinating with the dealer to have it programmed for my car.

I wonder if they will be surprised the amp is about $1,000 NEW . Oh well. So I'm listening to tunes on my iPhone on the way to work for another week. Could be worse, nice to hear the V8 clear for once.


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[plat]

Good for you and your car! Glad it's getting a brand new amp to replace the busted one. AFAIK, the cost of the regular Audi amp is around $500 new. The B&O Lear Amp is the one that costs around $1300 new. However, on Ebay, you can get a used regular Audi Amp for around $150 to $300. As for the B&O amp, a used one will cost around $400 to $700.

[Vanimal]

Good for you and your car! Glad it's getting a brand new amp to replace the busted one. AFAIK, the cost of the regular Audi amp is around $500 new. The B&O Lear Amp is the one that costs around $1300 new. However, on Ebay, you can get a used regular Audi Amp for around $150 to $300. As for the B&O amp, a used one will cost around $400 to $700.

For sure can't complain.


I think that's just for the regular amp. Mine isn't the B&O but I have the satellite radio box. It's a harmen Becker model. I looked it up as a OEM part I got this. They average about $400 on eBay used I think.






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[greenturbo]

@Vanimal same. Exact. Thing. Right now. The smell is horrendous

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