Speaker wire or amp failure?

[lee]

I have an intermittent problem with sound from the left front speaker (all stock components so far). My previous car (a Toyota MR2) was known for failure of the wire loom as it went through the door (too many opening/closing cycles I guess fatigues the wire). When the speaker does work the sound quality is fine, i.e., don't think it's blown.

Anyway, anybody had this problem? Since the left rear speaker works regardless of the left front, does this rule out the amplifier section?

I have the capability to troubleshoot, but would like some opinions before taking off the door panel and/or pulling the unit from the dash to test.

[CigarJohnny]

I have the same problem with mine except my right front speakers don't work. It's a 92 with the original Subaru head unit and stock speakers. I too have been wondering if it sounds like wiring or amplifier. The other 3 corners of the stereo work just fine. Sure would like to fix it but I would rather not tear things apart for exploratory surgery if I can help it

[Seraph]

Trial and error for R&D sounds like an idea here. Try a new speaker (switch the speakers) and see if it works. Then try another head unit. If all else fail, replace the wire.

Lwin

If it's intermittent then it may be just as simple as a bad connection at the speaker. Number one is check that first. The only way to do that is to get in there so number two is easy as seraph suggested and try another speaker if the connection is clean and solid. Do the SVX's have an external amp? Or is it a HU only?

[Seraph]

Originally posted by markrobert
Do the SVX's have an external amp? Or is it a HU only?

It is in the HU

Check out the connections on the speaker itself. 9 times out of 10, its bad connections, ****ty soldering, or twist and tape

[lee]

Thanks one and all - guess there's no substitute for getting your hands dirty.

[CigarJohnny]

Thanks, guys! I'm thinking that I might start with the wiring behind the head unit. As it just dawned on me, the tweeter speaker in the dash does not work either which leads me to believe that the odds are slim that both the right door and right tweeter connections would be bad at the speakers. It's probably the head unit or the connections behind it. Make sense to anyone else?

well the connector is usually pretty secure on the back of the deck. I'm just thinking if the previous owner replaced the deck before, and put back the stock one, he might have just twisted and taped the connections, making them as secure as a bag of ****. Pull the deck and check the connections then pull the speakers and check the connections. I'm sure you'll find the problem there
-Ross

Sounds like a bad connection.

- Ca$h

I had that problem in my topaz, check the wire bundle that goes from the side of the dash into the door. My problem was the door somehow cut into the wires. My speaker finally quit working when the wire was completely severed. That might be your problem