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georgice11
S1 Complete Audio System Dead, No Sound From All Sources
4 comment(s)
georgice11 (Author)
Thanks for sharing your experience. Sounds very similar to my S1 situation. After reading this, I checked with a different mechanic who also identified a wiring harness issue rather than a complete sound system failure. The audio quality returned after they fixed some damaged cables behind the dashboard. Would you mind sharing what the repair cost in your case? Also curious if youve had any static noise or other audio problems since the fix? Trying to gauge if I should expect any recurring issues.
ottoschmid10
Happy to report my S3 sound system has been working flawlessly since the repair. The technician found several worn wiring connections causing the speaker crackle and dashboard controls failure. Total cost came to 725 Euro for replacing the faulty wiring and fixing the display unit that was also affected. Its been 8 months now with zero Bluetooth problems or audio issues. The repair shop explained they used higher grade wiring harnesses designed to better resist vibration damage. No more static noise or connection drops like before. One tip, make sure they test all audio sources thoroughly after repair. In my case, they had to do some additional tweaking to get the Bluetooth connectivity working properly with the new wiring setup. But once everything was properly calibrated, the system has performed perfectly. The investment was worth it compared to replacing the entire head unit, which some shops initially suggested. Getting the right diagnosis definitely saved money in the long run.
georgice11 (Author)
After getting that second opinion, I finally got my S1 sorted out properly. The new mechanic opened up the dashboard and found exactly what they suspected, worn through wiring causing the audio system failure. Total repair came to 580 Euro, which included replacing damaged harnesses and testing all car speakers. The audio quality is now crystal clear with no static noise or volume control issues. My Bluetooth connection works perfectly too. Such a relief after the first shop tried convincing me I needed a whole new head unit for 2000 Euro. What really impressed me was how thorough they were in testing everything after the repair. They checked each speaker individually and made sure all audio sources were working properly before calling it done. Three months later and the system still works like new. Really glad I got that second opinion instead of rushing into expensive replacements. Sometimes the simplest explanation really is the right one.
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ottoschmid10
I encountered a similar issue with my 2018 S3. The symptoms matched exactly, complete audio silence and unresponsive dashboard controls. After thorough diagnostics, the problem was traced to faulty wiring connections between the head unit and the amplifier module. Static noise initially preceded the total failure. The repair required removing several interior panels to access and replace damaged wiring harnesses that had worn through due to vibration. The head unit itself was functioning correctly, but the signal wasnt reaching the car speakers. This kind of issue typically stems from either corroded connections or physical wire damage. The repair was quite involved, requiring specialized diagnostic equipment to test the entire audio signal path. Though not mechanically serious for the vehicle operation, it needed professional attention since it involved multiple electronic systems. Consider requesting a complete diagnostic of the amplifier module and wiring harness before replacing the head unit. Many shops jump to replacing expensive components when the root cause is often in the connections.