Why Do The Back Speakers In My Car Cut Out?

Question

I drive a '94 Volvo 850 and the back speakers in my car work about 2% of the time... the fact that they work at all leads me to believe that there is nothing wrong with the speakers themselves (when they work they sound good)... I am wondering how to alleviate this problem as music is my life... I have asked one person and they said that they think it's the radio itself and a bad connection in the radio... does this sound like it could be the problem? I'm hoping that it is because thankfully Volvo radios are extreely easy to change... just pull it out and put a new one in its place... any ideas on what else it may be or any helpful input at all would be much appreciated... thank you

Answer 1

sounds like a bad ground. When something isn't grounded out it just stops working. Try taking out the speakers and seeing how good the wire connections are. You might have to rewire them back there (get a friend who knows about wiring if this is necessary).



If the wires are fine, get some new speakers. You can find speakers just as good as the ones in your car for five or ten bucks a piece at Wal-Mart (called Road Gear). People will tell you they suck, but the truth is they're as good as what comes in a car when you buy it.



Edited to add: It may be that the equalizer (what controls the balance and fade) has a lot of dirt and corrosion in it. If you slide the fade slide and it crackles and hisses at you, that would mean that the contacts inside that actually control the fade are getting dirty and corroded.

Answer 2

Check the wires to back speakers first could just be a lose wire and when bumped the right way they come on. I dont think your radio would cause this probably just a simple lose wire in rear speakers or a short going to them.

Answer 3

if you have an equalizer it is the equalizer switch gone bad bypass if you can.Secondly if the front speakers are still playing its not the radio(head unit)obviously because they are still playing..its also not the fuse or again the whole system would not play..if its not the equalizer it is a loose wire connection to the rear speakers. You forgot to mention if your system was stock or not worse case scenario your rear speakers and dying but most likely loose connection.

Answer 4

it is just your rear speakers correct? Check the connections at the speakers and also check the connections on the back of the head unit's harness.



If you do decide on changing radios tell me your budget and I will gladly help you find something in your price range. Are you opposed to refurbs?

Answer 5

seems like your speaker is approximately shot. At greater quantity phases the voice coil is shorting out. Basically like touching two speaker wires in combination..... no sound. New audio system to your long term

Answer 6

It might be a loose connection at the speaker or radio it self if you notice it happening when the music is louder or more bass.

Answer 7

bad or lose wiring