Question for the car stereo guru's...I need your help!

Aurorav8 · 03-26-03, 01:09

I have recently encountered a problem with my front passenger side speakers. At low volumes they passenger side speaker (6.5" & tweeter) cut out on me...no music what so ever comes out. But when I turn the stereo up they will cut back in and play as long as I keep the volume high.

Could they be blown? If so, how is music still coming through the speaker. When they kick back on I don't get any static or distortion.

With the deck at mid-levels for volume, you can hear an almost static sound, like a wire is rubbing metal...but I've traced the wires from the speaker to the deck and to the amp???????

Any ideas?

IndigoGTI · 03-26-03, 01:30

I used to work for a small car audio store as an installer, and I came across this a couple of times with GM cars. I ended up replacing the headunit in a Cadillac and in a GMC fullsize truck. I believe the Caddy had the pass. front speaker malfunction like your car. Your best option would be to look for a high quality aftermarket deck, replacing/repairing the factory deck will cost you quite a bit of money, and that could be spent towards a better quality aftermarket piece. I am assuming your car does not have Bose, if so, the amplifier could be at fault, seen that a couple of times too. The Bose systems in some cars (especially the electronics) are not known for their longevity. Anyway, check out Crutchfield, their site will tell you what exactly fits your car, and if you order from them, you will get installation accessories for free, which in a GM car, can run you $50 or more. Customer service is top notch too.

Aurorav8 · 03-26-03, 01:39

I guess I should have further explained what I have.

I have an aftermarket deck (ran me close to $800 a few years ago), it's running a dda converter for fiber optic wire (better sound quality, noticeably)...and I'm running 3 amps, 1 for the two 12" subs, then another amp for my 2 back deck speakers, then a smaller one for the front speakers.

milani · 03-26-03, 01:47

You say you traced the wires. Did you look for marring of the coating on the wire? Also, check the contacts for corrosion. At low power, you may not force enough current to get through corrosion. When you turn up the volume, more current passes, allowing you to hear music. Since you (along with the rest of us) are into detailing, maybe the contacts have been exposed to excess moisture.

You may also want to check out caraudio.com, Car Audio magazine's web site. They have a forum section that may help you out. They also give great equipment reviews. I used to read the magazine back in the days of 12" subs in the hatchback, etc (post high school days). had good info about high-end and mid-level system components. Good luck... (You must have posted again while was typing this out. Did not see what you had)

Aurorav8 · 03-26-03, 01:50

Yeah, I checked all the wiring, no exposed wires...or damage to the wires, I checked the connections...no corrosion or cleaning needed. Checked the ground wire.

I'm not sure what the problem is, I may have to take it back to the place that installed it and see if they can look at it for me.

I will check out that site though, see what it's about, thanks!!

IndigoGTI · 03-26-03, 01:52

Well that changes everything. Did you do the install yoursesf? Judging by your knowlege of what you have, I will assume you did, or at least had some help. Check your RCAs to see if you have any kinks in them, or if the connector on the end is loose. I had a problem with the EQ in my old car; the sub channel would cut out periodically with no repeatable pattern. The EQ had a bad solder joint causing the intermittnet signal interruption. The best route you can go for finding the source of the problem, is to start bypassing components in your system until you find the culprit. Start by bypassing any signal processors, and then crossovers, hopefully that will get you somewhere. Also, check to make sure that water hasn't gotten in/on the speaker in your front door, and make sure none of the wire terminals are touching the metal area the speaker is mounted to. Sorry about the confusion before.

Aurorav8 · 03-26-03, 02:00

Guess I should have mentioned what I had before. Last Sunday I took the passenger side door apart to check the speakers, 1 to simply see if they were blown, and 2 to see if there was a bad connection right at the speaker...neither was the culprit. But I didn't notice any kind of moisture in there.

I guess I will have to go through and trouble shoot each component to see if I can find out what the problem is exactly.

I had a local car stereo place install my system, but I was there and helped them with it, I'm good friends with one of the owners. Well, 1 problem I did encounter is that they hooked up my PPI amp up to my front speakers, when I asked them to hook up my smaller Alpine to the fronts.

So even if I can't find it, I will take it back to the place so we can get the right amps hooked up to the correct speakers, and maybe we will be able to find something doing that.

milani · 03-26-03, 02:13

This is just an assumption:

If they hooked up the PPI to the fronts (which I am guessing is a higher power amp, being PPI) you might have blown the speaker. You can get wierd results out of a blown speaker. If they hooked it up that way, and the speaker did blow, they should replace it for you.

Aurorav8 · 03-26-03, 02:19

Well, I've talked to them, and they said if that is the case, that they will replace them and rewire the stereo. They are very good about it, I've never had a problem working with them.

The PPI is a 300watt amp, so it's even too much for the back deck speakers, but I have the gain all the way down on it. But even so, it is waaaaaaaay to much power for a 6.5" speaker and tweeters.

The Alpine is only an 80watt amp, which is perfect for what I'm looking for.

Is there an easy way to tell if the speaker is blown? There is no noticeable defects on the speaker itself.

milani · 03-26-03, 02:23

As crazy as it sounds, run it for a while, and smell it. If you get a hint of burnt smell (like when you short a wire), then it is probably blown.

Aurorav8 · 03-26-03, 02:26

I will try that. Problem is, my neighbors will probably be complaining if I keep it running too long. Like I said, I have to have it pretty high to get the speakers to kick in.

Looks like I'm going to have to find an empty lot, and see what's going on.

milani · 03-26-03, 02:29

Those darn neighbors. If they would only move!