Speakers Got Quiet

[IconicSilverMaverick]

I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read this. Thank you...

I ran into problems with my stereo upgrade after I installed my rear speakers. Front speakers were installed first. No aftermarket amp, but these speakers are designed to run fine with the factory radio. Front set was wired up with plug-and-play style adapters. Rear speakers wired up with Posi Twist adapters.

Everything sounded good initially. Lots of volume and clear. Audio quality further improved with front door sound deadening.

I began to hear popping from a rear speaker days later. I then noticed the front speakers are no longer loud, even on max volume, and even when I toggle sound completely away from the rear channels and put it 100% to the front.

I was hoping a bad fuse was the culprit, but the fuse looked fine. Now I'm concerned that I might find myself again accessing the rear speakers in the near future, to check connections (which was a PITA).

What do you guys think is going on here? Bad connection causing factory unit to go into protection mode or something?

Thanks again for any feedback.

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[723rag]

I installed both front and back. After installing the back speakers the sound was cutting off. I found that the back speaker connection where touching the metal on the car and shorting the speakers. I fixed it by wrapping electrical tape around the speaker/wire connections. It’s been pumping music for 7 months with no issues. This was done on my son’s 23 maverick. Try that and see if it works for you.

 

[IconicSilverMaverick]

I installed both front and back. After installing the back speakers the sound was cutting off. I found that the back speaker connection where touching the metal on the car and shorting the speakers. I fixed it by wrapping electrical tape around the speaker/wire connections. It’s been pumping music for 7 months with no issues. This was done on my son’s 23 maverick. Try that and see if it works for you.

Thank you, 723rag!

 

[rallyshark]

I agree completely, there's a short in the rear for sure. Hopefully, it hasn't damaged the head unit... Better jump on that one ASAP. I will say, I found using a big long open ended wrench to stick behind the panels to hook/pop the tab loose worked quite well for me. I shined in there with a little light so I could see what I was doing. Otherwise, those speaker panels are a royal pain, so I definitely understand your hesitancy to pull them again.

I actually had a bad aftermarket speaker in the rear that forced me to pull them again. On that note, don't buy DD speakers, I learned the hard way I now have Polks back there, and they sound great crossed over at 125hz for rear fill

 

[Lambretta]

I just installed rears yesterday…I had them powered on when I was installing the panels and they went dead. I realized that the speaker terminals near magnet were shorting on metal…like other poster I used electrical tape. Since top clips were already in I could squeeze through with the bottom undone and get them taped up. Hope you get it sorted out and it’s an easy fix.

 

[IconicSilverMaverick]

I just installed rears yesterday…I had them powered on when I was installing the panels and they went dead. I realized that the speaker terminals near magnet were shorting on metal…like other poster I used electrical tape. Since top clips were already in I could squeeze through with the bottom undone and get them taped up. Hope you get it sorted out and it’s an easy fix.

Circling back to say thank y'all again for your advice. My experience was the same as Lambretta. I was able to tape as everyone recommended, to better insulate the wires from the metal, and didn't have to take the final panel off to do so.

No damage done to head unit, and my volume is back pumping good tunes.

I have a Kicker Key amp to install for the next project, which will automatically tune the system with its microphone. I'll upload another post with how that goes. So far very happy with the speaker upgrade, but looking forward to an even better sound that Kicker promises with this amp.

This club is a great resource, and it's always reassuring to know that if I get in a jam I can come here and reach out to you guys for your recommendations for a solution!

 

[CurtisB]

Out of couriosity, was it the rear right passenger speaker that was the problem?

 

[IconicSilverMaverick]

Out of couriosity, was it the rear right passenger speaker that was the problem?

I can't be for certain, but I believe that rear right passenger speaker/wires was the problem, yes. I also noticed the connection/terminal had bent -- the bending likely happened when I put the panel back on during my first attempt. I was able to bend it back without issue. I still applied the best grade electrical tape I could find to both sides.

 

[CurtisB]

Cool! My right rear speaker was not working so I removed the panel and saw that I ran the screw that holds the white portion of the speaker panel to the wall through my speaker wire, causing it to ground. Now both rear speakers are working. Thanks to you guys, I would've thought about that.

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