Car Stereos: 2006 Cadillac CTS -- clicking noise in amp, 2006 cadillac cts, cadillac cts

Question
Hi -- purchased this vehicle 6 months ago, and during the cold winter - a loud 'popping' noise would come out of the speakers and that would continue until the car would warm up. During this period there would be no music, and even when I would turn the car off the loud 'popping' noise would continue out of the speakers - sometimes lasting for 30-40 min after the car was turned off.  When the weather warmed up it was much better, almost never happening....until last week, now it happens all the time, however not always the loud 'popping' noises, but a soft clicking noise - #similar to the sound of a signal light# but not related to a signal light.  This clicking noise is coming from the amp in the trunk on the driver's side - it is almost as though something was trying to connect but there is a short -- it kind of made sense in the winter, as I suspected that there was a disconnect due to a temperature caused contraction, then when the car warmed up it was able to make the connection due to an expansion of metal on a connector due to warmth.  I am thinking since the clicking is clearly coming from that amp Delphi Electronics, that if I replace the amp my problem in both winter and summer will be solved.  Any thoughts?

Answer
Hi Kathy,

It sounds to me like you're on the right track.  It's most likely something failing in the amplifier that's causing your issue.

That said, I'd hate to find out it was a short at a speaker somewhere that has the amp behaving as it is.  I would suggest testing the speaker leads with a multimeter first to ensure they're giving you the expected resistance before replacing the amplifier.  (They should read 4 ohms on each pair of wires.)

Justin