Having some sound system trouble.

[dscowell]

Lately my stereo has been short circuiting I think. I can drive a little bit then the front driver side speaker will make a pop and all the speakers will stop or right when I start my truck it doesn't work.. After this an Amp error will show up on my deck. Now I doubt it's my deck being that it's maybe 2 years old and hasn't acted up before. I thought it may be something touching the magnet on the back of the speaker that might cause this. I fixed that but it still acts up. Now I'm either thinking I have a bad connection on the speaker or short. I did recently fix the wires running to the speaker because they were pinched off when i dented my door. Any other ideas would help or suggestions on were to start. I do have another deck at home I'm going to try when I get home from break see if it makes a difference.

[96EXXLTinCO]

If there is no aftermarket items other than the deck, I would have to believe it is the deck itself if all the speakers go off. Did you use an aftermarket wire harness at the back of the deck or just wire it in wire to wire? It may be a case of tracing some wires (which sucks I know) making sure grounds are good etc.

[moose]

I had the same problem with my Cutlass. Turned out that two of my Taylor wires had a crack in the insulation and when the conditions were right, I could see an arc from the wires to the hardline for my tranny vacuum. I found this out after swapping head units and rewiring everything related to my speakers and amp. I know this may be far fetched for your situation, just throwing it out there. But it sounds like a hot wire is shorting somewhere.

[Rick]

But it sounds like a hot wire is shorting somewhere. This

[dscowell]

Thanks guys!


If there is no aftermarket items other than the deck, I would have to believe it is the deck itself if all the speakers go off. Did you use an aftermarket wire harness at the back of the deck or just wire it in wire to wire?
Speakers aren't stock either but the wiring harness is.



But it sounds like a hot wire is shorting somewhere.
So I'm assuming since I only hear the pop in the speakers from just one that's were I should start the search? Couple it just be a bad job of crimping the wires?

[moose]

So I'm assuming since I only hear the pop in the speakers from just one that's were I should start the search? Couple it just be a bad job of crimping the wires?

Seems like a good place to start. It could be any situation where bare wire is exposed. Its a PITA but just pick a speaker and follow the wires all the way back to the source and make sure the wires arent damaged. If they are, replace them. Repeat for every speaker. If problem still persists, start following the wires that connect to the head unit.

[xaza]

You are using a stock wiring harness going out to the speakers, sounds like you are not running an amp. If you are not running an amp you will have a signal going out for amp remote that sounds like it could be what is shorting. Typically I believe this will be a blue wire, cap it off and tape it good if not using. Also check any pre-amp rca connections to be sure the aren't shorting. I had a lock washer that had speaker wire ran across the top of it under the rear seat. It would work fine at lower volume but when I turned it up the amp would alarm and trip out. Took me forever to find that one.

[moose]

If you are not running an amp you will have a signal going out for amp remote that sounds like it could be what is shorting.

Good call

[dscowell]

Alright looks like I have pleasure of messing with some wires this break. Wooh:frown:. Thanks guys!

[dscowell]

Alright got back for winter break and think I got it figured out. One the wiring harness like Cliff said was a blue wire. It was taped off and none of the insulation had been stripped off but I still capped the wire just for safe keeping next. One of the wires leading to a speaker was looses and slowly coming out of the connector so I recrimped that bad boy and so far so good. Knock on wood that's all I have to do. Thanks for helping you guys.

[moose]

:thumb: Hope that's all it takes!!

[xaza]

What color connector are you using? The speaker wire you are working with is likely around 16g which should be a small red connector. Do you have access to a soldering iron. 5 minutes of soldering can make sure you don't have crimping failures as well as making a much more secure connection. The wiring for the data logger on my ZJ is a little more sensitive than a stereo wire but requires all crimp connections to be soldered. When you say you "recrimped" Do you mean you pinched down on it again and it stopped moving? If you did you can have broken strands that will weaken the wire and increase chance of breakage. I would recommend cutting back the wire replacing connector when you get a chance. Use heat shrink tubing to ensure solid insulation and protection from corrosion (don't get much behind dash). I have done about every electrical hack job out there on my truck, to get me by, and when the house sells (hopefully next month) my first mission when I have a garage is to fix that. Glad you got it working. :thumb:

[dscowell]

Used blue connectors. They were used on every connection and when I went to but some more at Napa they were classified for 12-16g and worked just fine. By recrimping I was simply just replacing the connector. I'll keep the soldering in mind for the future but for now I'm done pulling with stereo and speakers out. This has been an on going problem that I think finally got figured out.