Audio Systems: stereo/protected, baqubah iraq, protection circuits

Question
I am soldier in Iraq and I bought a stereo (JVC MX-KA3) several months ago. I have had no problem with it and then out of no where it started getting a loud cracking noise through the speakers and now it flashes "protected" on the LED screen. It won't play anymore and I was curious if you knew how to get it out of the protected mode. I have tried turning it on and off disconecting speakers and such but to no avail. I don't know if this is in your field or if you've ever delt with anything like this. It may be simpler to just buy a new stereo but I don't want to if I can fix this one. Thank-you.

SSG Senn, Vincent
U.S. Army
Baqubah Iraq

Answer
Dear Vinnie,

If you play one of those little combo units too loudly too much, you'll overheat the amplfier's power supply and trip the thermal protection circuits. Completely unplug the unit and let it cool down for a while before plugging it back in and trying to run it. If that doesn't do the trick, then it requires a technician to go in and find out if there's anything else wrong. There's a possibility that a heat related incident compromised the wiring or something on the circuit board.

Thanks for your service over there.

Good luck. And thanks for choosing allexperts.com!

Kindest regards,

Kevin