Front Speakers Don't Play
11-29-14, 03:47 PM
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Front Speakers Don't Play
1984 RX7 GSL 12A
When I bought it off the previous owner they didn't play but figuring out why the front speakers didn't play was the last of my things to worry about, but now I have time to fix it. The speakers themselves are fine and not damaged or blown in anyway and so are the connectors. I connected a brand new speaker to see if it would play through it and it didn't. My rear speakers play. When I switch to the front speakers they play nothing. Before I end up ripping apart my dashboard to figure why the fronts don't play I thought I'd come here and ask for an easy answer or if someone has been through this. It's something before it connects to the speakers but what could it be?
When I bought it off the previous owner they didn't play but figuring out why the front speakers didn't play was the last of my things to worry about, but now I have time to fix it. The speakers themselves are fine and not damaged or blown in anyway and so are the connectors. I connected a brand new speaker to see if it would play through it and it didn't. My rear speakers play. When I switch to the front speakers they play nothing. Before I end up ripping apart my dashboard to figure why the fronts don't play I thought I'd come here and ask for an easy answer or if someone has been through this. It's something before it connects to the speakers but what could it be?
Last edited by Jere Urso; 11-29-14 at 03:50 PM.
12-03-14, 09:44 AM
#5
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Thread Starter
I started by removing the storage bin by it screws to try and pull it out by itself. It wouldn't work and I saw a panel behind the bin above the spare tire well, is this an access panel to get to the back of the storage bin?
12-03-14, 03:25 PM
#7
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Thread Starter
When I pull on it, it pulls about 1" - 2" out then stops as if it's connected to something. I could tug on it real hard and it probably would come out. But I need to be sure I won't damage anything.
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12-04-14, 06:34 PM
#12
I'm not sure how far you have gotten so this may or may not be helpful.
I replaced my sound system as not only were the speakers shot but the electronics were way past their prime time.
The "85RX7(15)Body_Electircal.pdf" section of the 85 FSM has the pin assignments for the the three different systems and some diagnostics for no sound.
Also the "85RX7(50)Wiring_Diagrams.pdf" has an audio section (J)
The pre-amp in the main dash unit may have failed. Reversing the front and rear outputs on the dash unit would tell if you get sound from the front but not the rear. That would mean everything from the pre-amp on is good. If you still get sound from the rear and not the front, then the pre-amp is good.
I did not open my back compartment to check the amp in the back, but you could reverse the input (if they exist) to see if the amp is not working on the front.
I have the center console balancer. This prys up easily with a flat-blade screwdriver. There are additional connections there as well. You may be able to switch the inputs to the rear amp that way.
So for my system there were three components before the speakers: pre-amp, balancer, amp (rear).
Access to the radio is easy if you have not done it before.
Carefully remove the Fan and Heat *****. There are shaft nuts under each.
The plastic around the shifter pops straight up. (My father broke all the pins holding on the shifter boot so mine is real easy.) All you need is to be able to access the the two screws at the front. Remove those and the entire center section should come out. There may be an electrical connection for the ashtray light.
I don't have the original audio system anymore, so this is all from memory of 4 years ago, so I could be way off on all this.
I replaced my sound system as not only were the speakers shot but the electronics were way past their prime time.
The "85RX7(15)Body_Electircal.pdf" section of the 85 FSM has the pin assignments for the the three different systems and some diagnostics for no sound.
Also the "85RX7(50)Wiring_Diagrams.pdf" has an audio section (J)
The pre-amp in the main dash unit may have failed. Reversing the front and rear outputs on the dash unit would tell if you get sound from the front but not the rear. That would mean everything from the pre-amp on is good. If you still get sound from the rear and not the front, then the pre-amp is good.
I did not open my back compartment to check the amp in the back, but you could reverse the input (if they exist) to see if the amp is not working on the front.
I have the center console balancer. This prys up easily with a flat-blade screwdriver. There are additional connections there as well. You may be able to switch the inputs to the rear amp that way.
So for my system there were three components before the speakers: pre-amp, balancer, amp (rear).
Access to the radio is easy if you have not done it before.
Carefully remove the Fan and Heat *****. There are shaft nuts under each.
The plastic around the shifter pops straight up. (My father broke all the pins holding on the shifter boot so mine is real easy.) All you need is to be able to access the the two screws at the front. Remove those and the entire center section should come out. There may be an electrical connection for the ashtray light.
I don't have the original audio system anymore, so this is all from memory of 4 years ago, so I could be way off on all this.
12-04-14, 07:32 PM
#14
Full Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for the advice, just the rears work, and the speakers are in good shape and not blown in the front. I will check the **** on the middle console and see if something is wrong there before I take the radio out tomorrow morning.
12-05-14, 09:58 AM
#15
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Thread Starter
Everything was all good again with all the connections, but maybe the unit that the **** connects to needs to be replaced. But I feel if the unit was not working right, it wouldn't work at all.
12-07-14, 07:00 PM
#18
OP,
Which system do you have? I'm guessing you have 1 because of the console balancer.
In the 85RX7 Factory Service Manual, section 85RX7(50)Wiring_Diagrams, on pages 34 and 35 you'll see the wiring diagram, the connectors, and the components located in the car.
System 1 has a front and rear amp.
Which system do you have? I'm guessing you have 1 because of the console balancer.
In the 85RX7 Factory Service Manual, section 85RX7(50)Wiring_Diagrams, on pages 34 and 35 you'll see the wiring diagram, the connectors, and the components located in the car.
System 1 has a front and rear amp.
12-10-14, 09:33 AM
#20
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Thread Starter
Yes it is a tape / tuner with equalizer. I was already going to check the amp behind the passenger seat and this is what I found. The connector was broken off the wires and corroded as hell, so obvious instinct was to connect the wires back together and see if it would work. I spliced the wires, connected butt connector, soldered, shrink wrapped, and electrical taped for secure connection and no shorts, in the process of doing this there was a pop on the end of the wire i was putting together and a spark (maybe a short?). So after all that I turned the radio on and the radio clock doesn't work, none of the speakers play, rear hatch light doesn't work, dome light doesn't work, hazards don't work, and i forgot to check the storage bins to see if they the work. Please help. I cut off the connection I made and waiting for you guys to help me out.
12-10-14, 11:00 AM
#23
Your detective work is paying off. There has to be a blown fuse now. Your doing exactly what I appreciate in someone learning how to do things. You asked for guidance, took the advice, and set course trying to identify and fix the issue.
Many times people will ask for help and they want you to hold their hand every step of the way. Good work you'll figure it out.
Many times people will ask for help and they want you to hold their hand every step of the way. Good work you'll figure it out.
12-10-14, 07:02 PM
#25
The "pop" was likely an electrical arc. Once you have identified the blown fuse you'll need replacements of the same amp rating.
The interior lights worked before your repair. I would recheck to make sure no +12v is grounded before proceeding. If you find the fault and fix it, and this would be my preference, I would disconnect the negative connector from the terminal on the battery. Then replace the blown fuse. I've never experienced replacing a blown fuse in a questionable circuit. I would then touch the negative connection to the terminal to see if it blows again.
(Hopefully you have downloaded the wiring diagram. The 85 version works. If not, go to the top of this forum, second sticky from the top, and follow the link. Download everything you think will apply.)
From the wiring diagrams for 12a Engine, section W-1, the fuse to the radio is 15amp.
See the attached image. The yellow highlighted components all share the same fuse. Also verify you have power to the stoplights and horn (section F). If your horn does not work, then the 15amp fuse to the audio system may not be the issue. Follow the red line to the battery. There is a fusible link which feeds the horn and audio fuses.
Hopefully I'm reading the wiring diagram correctly.
Maybe some help.
Last edited by TimWilbers; 12-10-14 at 07:05 PM. Reason: disclaimer