91 SE front speakers

[Gaffertape]

I want to figure out why my speakers cut in and out, and want to access the front door speakers. The Haynes manual shows a screw that goes up into the speaker grill from underneath the door. Naturally, my car seems to lack that screw location. I don't want to try prying off the grill if there is a screw holding it in place somewhere, and I'd rather not take off the whole interior of the door if I can avoid it.

1991 Accord SE 4-door automatic

[sickhonda]

Do you still have the stock radio?
The speakers cutting in and out is a common problem with Honda stock headunit. If I remember correctly it was once part of Honda recalls long ago. Search further for any other postings regarding the radio to confirm. The speakers in original housing are well protected from the elements and they last a long time but worth investing on new pair if you're getting a new headunit.

[Gaffertape]

Thanks for the reply.

Its still the stock SE radio. I'm not too familiar with radio hookups - Can I assume that the headunit is where all of the wires connect to the back of the radio itself?

- Gaffertape

[AccordCodger]

The headunit IS the radio. The term headunit (as opposed to just "radio") never came into use until people started locating components of their "car stereo" scattered around the vehicle - sort-of like a Wurlizer theater organ. The headunit, then, became the "controller" for all those other bits (preamp, power amps, CD changer etc).

[henrymv]

Ok first to access the front speakers you have to take the door panels off...i have done this adn the manual is wrong. remove the two screws in the handle release area. Th escrew in the center door handle under the cover. Then onthe botton corner toward the back of the door. then remove the plastic tack toward the upper part ofthe door.
The cutting out is a damaged wire or a wire that has worn away and is hittin gmetal ans shorting out...the mechanical window unit soemtimes hits the wires...

[henrymv]

If you repalce the front speakers...repalce them with 6" speakers and remove the plastic unites that hold the stock speakers they are 4" stock. A 6" wiill be much better and you can loose the silly plastic housing.

[Gaffertape]

Thanks to all for the tips. Maybe my problem is the headunit itself though, in which case getting to the speakers would be unhelpful. The problem is this: The speakers cut out very often. The only one that is always active is the rear driver's side. All of the others come on and off at various times, quite frequently when I drive over bumps. I've checked the fader and balance, so that's not the problem. The problem is the same whether I'm playing a tape or listening to the radio. I figured the cause would be loose speaker wires, because if the speakers were blown, I'd never hear anything from them, right?

[hunko1948]

Well I never ran into this before but if you think about it, It can't be the speakers. If its happening to all of then except the back right speaker then the problem must be before the speakers. You need to take you radio out and see if the connector is loose. Its really pretty easy, there should be a group of wires that are all plugged into the back of the radio. Wiggle that around while the radio is on and see if it gets better. If not then it has to be the radio. Try ebay if you need a new radio.

Hope this helps...

Crutchfield magazine has complete how to instruction for taking you dash apart to get to the radio, real cheap. Just call them and they will hook you up. They sent me instruction on how to take my door panel off and they worked great!..

See Ya,
Mike

[sickhonda]

Listen, if any of your speaker wire is exposed and shorting out, you'll have more issue than just cutting in and out. This alone can blow your radio fuse in the fuse panel, each time a contact is made with anything metal. I will also rule out the likelyhood of any loose wiring on the rear connector of your OEM radio, unless if you have been tinkering around in that particular area before. That connector doesn't even budge that easily during removal, it's locked in place. Like what I suggested before, invest on a new headunit. If money is tight, just get one that's functional, nothing flashy...then you can get away with using the stock speakers. If you decide to buy a powerful headunit, then you'll really need to invest on new sets of speakers. Either option you take, you'll require a new radio housing/faceplate and wiring adapter/connector to make everything work and make it a less time consuming install. If you require more help on install let me know.
Good Luck!