Thread: Rear Speakers Working Intermittently

2002 GT, non Bose system, aftermarket radio w/ Axxes steering wheel control.

All speakers worked fine for the first 5 years I've had this car, but late last year the rear speakers stopped working, intermittently. Then they stopped working altogether. I figured maybe something with the wiring harness behind the radio, but I had it apart last week and after wigggling and jiggling the wires, nothing changed. And then the past week the weather has been warmer, and I notice that the rear speakers are working again, but still intermittently. When they work, they work great.

I'm thinking maybe the amp is acting up, but was wondering if there was a common problem with these audio systems? Maybe a power connection that fails?

If it's working when warm and not working when cold, that tells me it's a connection issue that will be very hard to find...

If the metal connections are contracting enough to cut out when it's cold outside, that tells me there's a thin layer of oxidation on some connector somewhere, and when it gets warm it expands just enough for the current to flow through that thin layer.

So that means checking all of the solder joints, splices, terminals, connectors, and making sure none of them are cracked, loose or discolored.

It could also be a short between the positive wires and ground somewhere between the dash and the trunk. I made speakers not work by accident that way... Lol

Originally Posted by WarStryker13

If it's working when warm and not working when cold, that tells me it's a connection issue that will be very hard to find...

If the metal connections are contracting enough to cut out when it's cold outside, that tells me there's a thin layer of oxidation on some connector somewhere, and when it gets warm it expands just enough for the current to flow through that thin layer.

So that means checking all of the solder joints, splices, terminals, connectors, and making sure none of them are cracked, loose or discolored.

It could also be a short between the positive wires and ground somewhere between the dash and the trunk. I made speakers not work by accident that way... Lol

That's the answer I was expecting, but hoping I wouldn't get. LOL

Supposed to be sunny on Sunday, so I'll see what I can find. I have a complete boomin' system that came out of my T-bird, but haven't had the desire to install it in the GP. Maybe that desire is around the corner. LOL

I'd take a multimeter to the wires first, so you'll have an idea of how deep you'll have to go to fix it, and that usually helps when deciding. Lol

did the amp under the dash show signs of water damage? sometimes that amp can get wet if you have the cowl leak / AC drain issue.

Originally Posted by WarStryker13

I'd take a multimeter to the wires first, so you'll have an idea of how deep you'll have to go to fix it, and that usually helps when deciding. Lol

Originally Posted by mguzzo

did the amp under the dash show signs of water damage? sometimes that amp can get wet if you have the cowl leak / AC drain issue.

I though the amps were in the trunk. I have no water leaks and have the water deflector in the cowl. I will give it a look over for sure.

http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...bout-stock-amp

Update:

I have the UW6 audio option, so no amp(s), just radio and speakers. I pulled the radio and did some testing; the radio is putting out a rear audio signal. Doing the 9-volt battery test, I can pop the front speakers, but not the rear.

I think it is time to focus on the speakers themselves.

The rear speakers in my 01 GT just up and stopped working one day, I replaced them with some aftermarket ones and they worked just fine. The stock Delco speakers suck.

Originally Posted by SaukRapids

Does it make that crappy sound when you push on the cone with the music on? That's another way to tell blown voice coil.

I don't have the speakers exposed, so can't do that test yet. They just don't work, or some times they do. Funny thing, just after my last post, I had to run out. Speakers worked fine. Get home, check speakers an hour later, no worky.

Originally Posted by Slick2500

The rear speakers in my 01 GT just up and stopped working one day, I replaced them with some aftermarket ones and they worked just fine. The stock Delco speakers suck.

Originally Posted by 1FastGP

What he said, the speakers in my 02 would only work when it was above 80 degrees. Threw some kenwoods in and never looked back

Thanks guys. I've read that this is a common problem, but few posted the fix.

Looks like I will invest in some new 6x9's.

Originally Posted by Bronco Boy

I don't have the speakers exposed, so can't do that test yet. They just don't work, or some times they do. Funny thing, just after my last post, I had to run out. Speakers worked fine. Get home, check speakers an hour later, no worky.





Thanks guys. I've read that this is a common problem, but few posted the fix.

Looks like I will invest in some new 6x9's.

Alpine makes some good 6x9s.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

You can reach the back of the cone for the rear speakers from the trunk, poke at them that way.

Originally Posted by Slick2500

Alpine makes some good 6x9s.

Good to know. I'll start doing some research before I make a purchase.

Originally Posted by WarStryker13

You can reach the back of the cone for the rear speakers from the trunk, poke at them that way.

Hmm, never thought of that. I will give that a try.

Note: today after driving around for hours with only the front speakers working, I parked the car and the right rear came on. LOL

Installed some new 6x9's and all is good, except that they sound crappier than the stock ones. YAY! Time to dig out the subs/amp and get them installed.










Thanks for the replies on this one!

Originally Posted by nox

With speakers you get what you pay for. Honestly I've never heard of that brand and a quick Google search shows not many have, but they have asked for advice on them.

Absolutely. These were $50 CDN wholesale, and retail for around $80-90CDN. They are Kenwood knock-off's, made in the same plant.

I tend to use Alpine SPS 619 as the general guide for price. They go from 65-80 so around there is about what you can expect for a good introductory speaker for a non-amplified setup.

So what I paid.

Look into adjusting your equalizer before spending on subs. Some speakers want more power to certain ranges while some want less.

My deck has a pretty extensive EQ, and I spent most of my lunch break yesterday messing with it. Low volume is ok, but if you want to crank it a bit, the sucking starts. It's the low frequency's that are making things suck, and I'm pretty sure the speakers just want more power. The only cost for subs is me making a box; I have subs and amps from my T-Bird.