Page 1 of Any car stereo gurus here?

Got in my car (Peugoet 206) this morning and found that the left hand speaker was really faint no matter what the volume. Checked the balance and its dead centre so not sure whats happened. Anyone got any ideas before I start taking it all apart? The radio is quite old and the display is quite intermittent now so could the output to the speakers be going the same way? Or is it more likely to be the speaker?
Also, how tricky is it to change the speaker on a 206?

Right Bezza

It could be a simple wire off the speaker in question, but if you have some volume I would doubt this. Could also be wireing issue at the head unit end but once again with some volume I would tend to go with the stereo unit being fooked - left output, or the speaker has blown.

I would take out the head unit and connect another to elimate anything wrong with the speaker (5 min job) if all is well with another unit its your old stereo. If you get the same issue it is then your speaker so either way you know what to replace.

As to replaceing a speaker just a case of removing the trim and buying a set the same size IE 6" etc. Replace both sides though left and right. Any more questions plz ask but you should sort it out with trying another stereo to narrow your problem.

Good luck, dvdhouse

If one speaker is very faint, it could most likely be a missing earth, either on the speaker itself, or within the actual radio unit.

Not saying if definitely is, but that is the most common cause that I have come across. I have repaired quite a few car stereos, and if the output stage starts to get tired/break drown, it can actually cause the internal earthing to burn out.

I would find a mate with a multi-meter, and just check your earth continuity.

Hope that helps.

oooh earthing sounds serious. will i be harming anything by just using the right hand one for the time being?

If you run the output IC `unbalanced`, ie, no earthing on one channel, you run the risk of blowing the output ic and surrounding components.
I`m not trying to be a harbinger of doom, but I would get it checked out. Do you know anyone that could have a quick look? It may be something and nothing.

when you say "surrounding components" are you talking whole car electrics?

No,no, just the internal components to the stereo. The stereo would blow internally, and should not affect any other electrical system in the car.

**EDIT**

Although, if the smoothing capacitors in the stereo blow, there will be a very unpleasant smell that may make you think there is more damage occurring.

This item was edited on Monday, 31st March 2008, 15:24

right booked her in for tomorrow morning at a car sound place for them to have a look

Got a problem of my own replaced a Vauxhall\Phillips SCR201 radio cassette player (duff cassette eject mechanism) with a Blaupunkt 300.

Astra dashboard display communicates with it long enough to enter the security code then blanks out leaving me wondering what frequency\station\band etc that I am tuned in to.




I consider myself an optimist, albeit an optimist with cynical tendencies and a dark side that Lucifer himself would find a little creepy. (Perhaps you've noticed.) You don't normally associate cynicism with an upbeat pov. But I have exactly that combination and will defend it.

I hate answering the phone at work - It disturbs my sleep.

Do you need an adaptor kit for the in-car display? I know that some do, might be worth checking with the manufacturers.