In this video, you will find the exact location of the factory premium audio system amplifier. If your radio turns on but you have absolutely no sound from your speakers, your audio is cutting out intermittently, or you are prepping to bypass the factory system for an aftermarket audio upgrade, knowing its precise location will save you from tearing apart the wrong interior panels.
How this video helps you: The factory amplifier is completely hidden out of sight beneath the interior plastics to maximize cargo space, making it impossible to locate without a guide. This quick and clear visual guide shows you exactly where the amplifier is mounted. You can see its position immediately, identify which trim pieces need to be unclipped, and see how to safely access the wiring harness connectors without breaking any fragile plastic interior clips.
💡 Note: The external factory amplifier is only present on models equipped with the upgraded premium audio system (such as the Audiophile or Sony packages, which include a factory subwoofer). On base models, the speakers are powered directly by the radio head unit itself.
Common symptoms of a bad Audio Amplifier: The amplifier takes the low-level audio signal from your radio head unit and boosts it to power the door speakers and subwoofer. When it fails or loses power, you will experience these common signs:
- Radio Turns On But No Sound: The dashboard display lit up normally, you can change stations, and the volume bar moves, but absolutely zero sound comes out of any speaker.
- Loud Popping or Thumping Noises: When turning the key or turning the radio on/off, you hear a sudden, sharp “pop” or heavy bass thump through the speakers, indicating an internal short circuit in the amp.
- Intermittent Audio Dropouts: The music plays completely fine for a few minutes until the amplifier overheats or a cracked solder joint expands, causing the sound to cut out entirely until the unit cools down.
- Whining or Buzzing Through the Speakers: A failing internal ground or capacitor in the amplifier can introduce electrical charging system noise into the audio lines, creating a high-pitched whine that changes with engine RPM.
- Dead Battery Drain (Parasitic Draw): If the amplifier’s internal relay sticks “on,” it will continue drawing power from the battery even when the vehicle is turned off and locked, leaving you with a dead battery overnight.
Watch the video to see the exact location and get your audio troubleshooting done faster!