Speaker Problems

[skier46er]

I replaced my front speakers with 6.5" Kicker's about 4 months ago and loved them. I just got spacers for the 5.25" Kicker's I got with the 6.5's. I installed both hoping to fix bad sound quality and the driver's side rear speaker would not make any sound. So when I started the truck up and played music, the driver's side speaker still would not work after being replaced. Could it be the wiring going to the speaker? I wouldn't know where to start to fix this problem. Thank you for your help!

 

[absalom]

I replaced my front speakers with 6.5" Kicker's about 4 months ago and loved them. I just got spacers for the 5.25" Kicker's I got with the 6.5's. I installed both hoping to fix bad sound quality and the driver's side rear speaker would not make any sound. So when I started the truck up and played music, the driver's side speaker still would not work after being replaced. Could it be the wiring going to the speaker? I wouldn't know where to start to fix this problem. Thank you for your help!

Pull your head unit, find your driver's side speaker wires. About 3" from the back of H/U, splice a set of speaker wires into these wires. Plug these wires into a known working speaker. If you get output, then you know your headunit is sending out a signal. If not, I'd spend about 5 mins double checking the connection at the H/U before giving up and replacing it with a new H/U.

So at this point, if you do get signal, simply follow the wires path to where it terminates at the speaker. Check all connections and make sure nothing got pinched. The goal being to find out where the connection cuts out.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Always run new wires if you can

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

Always run new wires if you can

...and don't just lay speaker wires under the carpet. Route the wire through/under metal or plastic paneling. If it is directly under the carpet, give it a few years and the carpet/dirt will abrade the insulation.

 

[BrianSD_42]

...and don't just lay speaker wires under the carpet. Route the wire through/under metal or plastic paneling. If it is directly under the carpet, give it a few years and the carpet/dirt will abrade the insulation.

I'd say well yes and no.

I ran mine through the doors and under the seats & carpet.

I used 14g speaker wire from Best Buy. Pretty decent wiring and easily overkill for 50W RMS.

It has held up great since I installed it in March of 2007.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

I concede. It was an exaggeration for me to say "give it a few years" It also depends where you run it under the carpet, directly under-foot vs. up against the seat rails.

 

[Predatorhouse]

If any of thre screws you put in the speaker holes are touching metal on the back side your speakers will not work. I had this problem.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I would suspect a loose wire in the back of the head unit. Take it out and look for the color of the wire that goes to the speaker in question and re-secure all connections (unless it is soldered).

I've found that most installs do a so-so job of securing the wire. It's not unheard of for the wires will come loose or undone completely due to vehicle vibrations.

 

[cp99sr5]

Had the same problem when I replaced my rears, I traced back the wires from the speaker, yes I know, not too smart! Finally did what Absalom suggested and it was a loose connection on the wiring harness of the Head Unit. Save yourself some time, start from the Head Unit first!