2003 Stereo Amplifier Issue
 

Guys, brand new to the forum, first post, just bought my first Porsche, a 2003 686-S 6-sp. The car is in great shape with just a few minor issues to address, 1st being the stereo. It is the more basic model (exactly what I was looking for) with the CDR23 non-Bose unit w/ Becker amp and CD changer. It works fine EXCEPT the passenger side dash speaker is dead (door speaker on that side does work). I took the speaker out and hooked it up to an external source and it worked just fine so I am assuming I have an amp issue. I am a long time Merc owner so I am familiar with the FO systems and I believe 2003 was the first year the Boxster used it. My original plan was to keep the stock system for now but replace the CD changer with the Bluetooth add-on. I would simply replace the amp but it appears the exact part number is a bit hard to find (996-645-331-00) and when you do it is $400+ second hand (pre-MOST units are $25 on ebay). This would lead me to simply replacing the entire system but now new dash units are hard to find. My questions are: Anybody had this problem before and how did you fix it (could it be bad solder joints inside amp)? Can you use the Bose amps or earlier MAES/Nokia/Harman amps with the 2003 MOST system? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

How about just sending the amp to Becker in New Jersey and let them repair it? They've done work for me before. Pretty straight forward and easy to deal with.

https://www.beckerautosound.com/

I have one of those amps if you want it. Send me a PM. Came out of an 03