If you see the message “Amp Error” on your Pioneer head unit, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we will try to provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to fix a Pioneer amp error and hopefully, give you peace of mind.
So, if you want this problem to go away, make sure to read this article till the end, and you’ll want to thank us later!
What Causes Pioneer Amp Error?
Amp Error is actually a common problem that many car owners face. So, it’s safe to say that you’re not the only one facing this issue. However, there can be a bunch of reasons which may be causing amp errors in your car stereo system.
Let’s look at the causes and the solution below:
Cause #1: Issue With Speaker Wire
One of the most common reasons why the “amp error” message appears on your Pioneer head unit is because the wires of your speaker have come loose and short-circuited.
What usually happens is, if your car stereo is old, then the usual wear and tear may cause speaker wires to come loose. If you’re unlucky, two or more loose wires may come in contact with each other and cause a short circuit, which may lead to “AMP ERROR.”
This is usually what causes the issue in the first place for most people facing the issue. Other times, the person installing the music system may do a faulty wiring job, which may cause a short circuit.
Regardless of what caused the problem, the solution will be the same.
You can read the solution below to find out if you’re facing the amp error issue for the same reason and hopefully fix it.
Solution:
- Locate your speakers:
The first step to fixing the issue is to locate all your speakers and tweeters. Check where they are located, including the front passenger seats, the backseats, etc. The main objective of this step is to find out how many speakers and tweeters you and to ensure that you don’t miss out on any speakers as you move on to the next step.
- Check the wires:
Once you’ve located your speakers, the next step you should follow is to check all the wires connecting to the speakers. See if any wires have come loose and touched each other. If you find that there are some loose wires or a short circuit, fixing them will likely fix the “amp error” issue as well.
During the method, you can also check if any wire has come off or been ripped apart. Try fixing the wires and see if the problem has gone away.
- Remove the speakers one at a time:
If you’ve made sure that all the speakers are connected, and there’s no short circuit, and it’s still showing the “amp error” message, the next thing you can do is remove the speakers one after the other and see if it fixes the issue.
The “amp error” may be appearing due to a bad coil or wire of the speaker, subwoofer or tweeter, and you just don’t happen to know it.
To remove the speakers, the first thing you should do is remove the Pioneer head unit from your dash. Try smelling the unit to see if there is any sign of burnt wires. Once you have the unit in your hand, remove all the speaker connections from the head unit.
If the issue is with the speakers, the amp error message will go away.
- Identify the bad speaker:
Once you’ve detected that the issue is related to the speaker wire, the next step for you is to figure out which speaker is the main culprit.
This step is pretty simple and easy. Simply start by reconnecting the speakers one after the other. If you reconnect a particular speaker line to the head unit and the amp error message reappears, you can tell that this particular speaker is the cause of all the problems.
Cause #2: Internal Issue With The Amplifier
If the above solution did not work even after disconnecting all the speaker wires from the main head unit, the error is likely an internal issue.
There can be problems like a burnt motherboard, an obstruction by a dead insect, etc.
Solution:
Regardless of what the main cause of the issue may be, if it is an internal issue, you will have to take the head unit apart. If you don’t have the tools or have no idea how to disassemble a head unit, we suggest that you take it to someone who knows how to do it.
You will probably need the help of a technician to solve this issue, especially if the motherboard is blown. Trying to fix it yourself may also do more damage to your amplifier as well. If there is an issue with the motherboard, replacing it will fix the amp error for you.
If you know how to work with the motherboard, that’s great! You can just order a new chip for just around $20 and install it yourself.
However, if even after replacing the motherboard does not fix the issue, then it’s probably best for you to find professional help or someone who can repair it for you.
How To Reset Pioneer Touchscreen
If you have a Pioneer touchscreen head unit, you can also try resetting it as well. First, tap on the gear symbol to open the settings menu. Then scroll down to find the option that says “Restore Setting.” Select this option, and you will reset your Pioneer touchscreen.
Conclusion
There you have it! These are some of the solutions on how you can fix the Pioneer amp error issue. As already mentioned before, this issue is very common. Pioneer is known for having amp errors all the time. So, don’t panic because it’s not something you cannot fix.
Most of the time, you can fix the error all by yourself. However, if you can’t find a way to fix it, don’t shy away from seeking the help of a professional technician. Hopefully, this article has been helpful for you. If we’ve been of any help, please let us know.