Radio volume EXTREMELY low

[bn6339]

Hello all,

Havent posted in awhile, and I have a new problem (the master cylinder and fuel pump also died today, but thats a different thread) with my bone stock radio. I have a 1994 Splash, equipped with the premium cassette system (which includes the separate amp.) I removed the radio (which worked perfectly) when I upgraded to a tachometer, and it sat for maybe 8 months inside the truck. Reinstalled, it works, but the volume has to be on FULL to hear anything, and engine off only, as the volume is way too low to hear while driving. I do have the factory manual, but theres not much diagnostic help, so Im curious what I would find here, and maybe a "quick and dirty" test idea....radio or amp? Im willing to find another stock radio, aftermarket units are just too tempting for methheads........

 

[cody93]

hmm, i have a ford factory radio out of an 88-91 crownvic that requires an amp or else its very quiet. sounds like id check ur amp out, see if its getting power. not sure if AMPs allow signals to gothru if there non operational tho.

 

[bn6339]

Update

Hello again,

I decided since I couldnt convincingly test my stock stereo installed, I shipped it to Southern Electronics in VA. Called me today and said everything is functioning properly (which is great, since its only $38.00) HOWEVER im back to the original issue. Is there any way I can test the speakers without replacing them or is there something else I need to check? Almost forgot...I checked some of the wiring with my digital multimeter, and the few I checked seemed fine (both continuity and low resistance) Help!

 

[shane96ranger]

I think Cody already identified your issue with the factory amp. Make sure the fuses are all good, and you have power going to it.

 

[cody93]

sounds like your amp, i seriously doubt its speakers, all 4 wont go bad at once. like shane said, check your fuses and see if your amp is getting power and we will go from there.

 

[Mark_88]

Have your hearing tested...I had a similar problem but found out I have a 45-55% hearing loss...

Other than that...it could be your amp or it could be the wire you are using is too heavy...sound has difficulty traveling through thicker wire...

 

[bn6339]

Heyo-

Tested the amp power circuit, and I have power to the amp, and also checked some of the other wires...I will have to wait until the system arrives, and I will reassemble everything and see if any changes occurred, and update you then. Thanks for the prompt replies so far....

 

[nuclassic]

sound has difficulty traveling through thicker wire...

This is incorrect, the thicker gauge the wire, the more accurate the signal is, not saying the factory speakers will be all that good though. You also might want to check and see if you nicked anything while you were installing the tach. good luck

 

[cody93]

on question, your setup is 100% stock correct?

ok, so the amp is getting power, thats good. IIRC, amps have a constant power source but a remote switch-on, im no expert on premium audio, but id check to see if the remote turn on is working like it should, mabey someone smart can tell you how to test.

 

[bn6339]

on question, your setup is 100% stock correct?

ok, so the amp is getting power, thats good. IIRC, amps have a constant power source but a remote switch-on, im no expert on premium audio, but id check to see if the remote turn on is working like it should, mabey someone smart can tell you how to test.

You recall correctly, there is a wiring diagram here in the tech library (though I have the factory diagram manual here) and the radio has a "logic mute" which I believe activates the amp, driving the speakers. I tested that circuits' continuity as well, but maybe the radio isnt actually signalling the amp...it is 100% stock, including the speakers. Im going to reinstall the system when it arrives from the repair shop, and see if I can further figure things. Does anyone know if just one bad speaker would drop the whole thing, or does it matter? Thanks again for the ideas!!

 

[cody93]

shouldn't stop the other 3 from working.

 

[killj0y]

yea I would say double check to make sure there is power running through the remote lead. If there is then perhaps the amp is fried? Dunno if it is getting power and a signal there isn't much more that could be wrong with the amp besides internal issues. I would check to make sure the ground is good too, in my experience it is a bad ground 90% of the time when it comes to malfunctioning amps.

 

[bn6339]

Hello again,

System arrived, reinstalled....aaaand I have the same issue (not surprising) now Im sorta confused where I should try now....I guess I should try to find another amp or something, but I really dont want to randomly throw parts at it....recap what I checked:

1. Checked all fuses (three are radio/amp related) checked OK
2. Checked amp/radio ground continuity and virtually no resistance in the wiring
3. Checked all harnesses (power to radio, radio to amp, and amp to speakers)
4. Pulled one speaker and checked it, both for sound and continuity, checked OK
5. Installed a different speaker on the same wire as the one I pulled, still low volume

Im sorta leaning towards the amp, the only other thing I noticed when I messed with the volume controls is that theres a "popping" when the volume is turned up....any other ideas? I guess the only other thing I can do is call the repair shop and ask them how they tested the unit, and make sure they saw full output/volume.....(?)