VERY frustrated with head unit install

[Slim]

Okay, i'm just plain ol' gettin' pissed off!

I've been doing this for 15 years now, so installing a head unit usually is little to no problems for me. Actually, this would mark the first time i've had a problem.

I replaced the stock AM/FM/CD deck in my '97 a short while back. An old, used Pioneer replaced it. It worked well until one day there was no more sound. I figured the unit was pooched, so I put the stock unit back in until I get a newer replacement. And this is where it all began .....

Upon re-installing the stock unit I noticed, the next day, that the same thing happened. I found this very strange. I tried swapping back and forth between the two units and i'd notice a "thump" come from the front right speaker when I plugged in the wire harness (I only run front speakers - nothing else). I've never heard this before until now. Only the right, never the left speaker.

I checked out the speaker wire harness and found something very strange (that again wasn't happening before) - when i'd plug/unplug the speaker wire harness, with the unit on, there would be a brief moment of sound then nothing ..... once the male/female connectors were together there would be no more sound. So I figured the problem was the harness. Well no. I bypassed the harness altogether and the same thing was happening (no sound from speakers).

So I figured maybe both units were screwed, on a fluke.

Purchased and installed a brand new Pioneer head unit ..... completely re-wired new lines to the doors (thanks for the floor mount parking brake, Ford!) ..... double-checked all connections ..... still a "thump" when plugging harness into unit ..... still no sound!

WHAT THE @$&*?!?!?!??!??!?!??!?

Any ideas?

 

[RangerFabWorks]

bad speakers man. there grounding out.

 

[Slim]

bad speakers man. there grounding out.

#$%^&*((*&^%$%^&*() They were working fine.

I'll check it out.

Thanks.

 

[4x4fun]

the tump from the spreakers are them getting a solid voltage, you only have one constant power, when the truck is off, the red one. make sure its not jumping any thing and

 

[tylork92]

yea the speakers are grounding out...i had it happen before...in my extended cab the back passenger speaker was turned the wrong way and when i would hit a bump it would touch the back metal and ground it. took me FOREVER to figure it out.

 

[Slim]

Well we're on the right track. This is a mind**** and a half!

Basically it's what has been said above (thank you to all!) about a speaker grounding out. I removed the front right speaker and it played fine. I installed it in the door and it played fine. I closed the door ..... DEAD!

So now I need to find out what is coming in contact with the speaker to make it do this. I don't see anything in the way, but will have to continue looking tomorrow as i'm busy the rest of tonight.

I'm thankful that the speaker is still good and that I don't need to go through a warranty claim, because the place I bought these from is closed down, so that would be a big pita for me.

THANKS for the input fellas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


tylork92 - more info, please. I don't understand how the speaker could be turned the wrong way - you can mount them in two different directions and they should clear. Also, what metal were they hitting? The outer door skin?

 

[triumphrider-1]

Just a thought here, but...

Have you checked the wires for the rear two speakers you removed? One of them may be grounding out and killing them all (don't even know if its possible but...)?

 

[Slim]

Just a thought here, but...

Have you checked the wires for the rear two speakers you removed? One of them may be grounding out and killing them all (don't even know if its possible but...)?

Nope, haven't checked them because i'm not running the stock speaker wire harness anymore, so there's no need. I bypassed it completely because, at first, I thought the connector was faulty.

But thank you for the input!

 

[RangerFabWorks]

sounds like a speaker wire is getting crushed when you shut the door. recheck the wiring and you should find your problem.

 

[tylork92]

I PMed you.

 

[derekj]

Does the check strap for the door hit the speaker when closing the door?

 

[Slim]

Does the check strap for the door hit the speaker when closing the door?

The what? (My Cousin Vinnie lol)

I was wondering about the rod that goes to the door handle, but realized it's "behind" the speaker, so it couldn't be that.

For whatever strange reason there are other wires within the door. I can't imagine why as my truck doesn't have power windows or doors. I guess Ford puts the same wire harness in regardless. I'm going to look into those and anything else within the door to find out. (EDIT - or maybe has something to do with the interior light/latch switch?)

That speaker has temporarily been replaced by one that is working, all the time, installed with the same wires and bolts and all. Should be an interesting drive in to work tomorrow.

..... i'm hoping a Ranger doesn't have to die. lol

 

[Slim]

Ok, so I got everywhere AND nowhere today.

The speaker I put in place temporarily worked fine today, so that rules out wiring. I removed it for the next test.

I took great care looking for any possible suspects within the door that may come in contact with the speaker and/or wiring, but all checked out.

I put the same speakers back in, but this time I swapped sides, so the one that was cutting out on the passenger's side is now in the driver's side, and vice versa.

And now everything is working FINE.

It's absolutely *$!@%^ing FINE. It's plays FINE!

$%&*&#@$%&^#@$^&$*^*%&*#$^#@$^$*^

Houston we have lift off, pass go and collect two hundred %@!$^ing dollars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It makes no sense to me, but I won't stew over it since it's fine now. I guess whatever "powers that be" decided I needed a refresher course in troubleshooting or something. NOT!


Anyway, on to the most important part - THANK YOU to everyone for your input. I REALLY appreciate it.

 

[tylork92]

SO glad you have fixed the problem...it had to be when you hit a bump or something the speaker hit metal SOMEWHERE...just had to be the prob...but it doesnt matter now since everything works fine .....good job.