97 JGC Ltd, two speakers are dead

[awp0]

I have a 97 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. The drivers-side front and passanger-side rear speakers have been dead since a bought it a few years ago. I believe it has the factory Infinity Stereo system (the head unit has the 5 equalizers, CD Changer controls, and of course the joystick fader/balancer).

A local repair shop took a look at it and told me it's a problem with the head-unit. I'm wondering if anyone with knowledge in this stereo system can tell me if this is some kind of common issue. Or if you might have some good troubleshooting steps. And if so, is this something that could likely be fixed with some easy soldering and troubleshooting?

It looks like I can replace it for about $100 on eBay, but I'd rather try to fix it myslef if at all possible.

Anyway, thanks in advance, any help would be great!

Aaron

[Traktor]

One thing you could do to check is to pull the head unit out and connect a small speaker to the leads feeding one of the rear speakers. That way you'll know if it's really the head unit or not. If it is the head unit that's bad I would guess that trying to fix it might be a bit of a nightmare. If it's not, you might have a bad wiring harness or wire somewhere. Good luck.

[awp0]

Thanks, that's excellent advice. I was going to fumble around with a multimeter but since I'm not very proficient with it I should probably try the speaker.

Thanks again,
Aaron

[a_alyte]

My guess would be the speakers! I just replaced my rear speakers & I'm glad I did, sounds much better now! I'll be replacing my head unit soon.

I think the Infinity system gets too much credit!!

[awp0]

Well, you could be right. The repair shop said that they think it's the head unit, but honestly I don't know how much I trust them.....

Hmmmm......door panels or head unit......

[Audiobahn77]

I'm a car audio/entertainment junkie. If you really feel like keeping the same stereo/speakers in there than thats fine, otherwise its the first thing I change in a vehicle.
1. You could pull off both door panels and swap speakers on with the ones that are working to see if its your speakers or if its the head unit and wires that aren't working correctly.
2. Pull the stereo out and look at the contacts to make sure they are good. Don't forget to check the wire harness too!
3. OR....do what I do and replace everything so you have a kick @ss entertainment system (even though I go overboard)

[awp0]

Thanks AudioBahn. I'd love to swap out for a better system. The head unit currently controls the time display for another digital display in the car. Meaning, in order to change the time on this other display, I need to change it on the stereo head unit. GC owners probably know what I'm talking about, it's the display that includes the little diagnostic picture of the Jeep (and things flash red when something's wrong).

Anyway, can I get an aftermarket stereo that will work this way? I've always thought that it would be difficult.

It also has "talks" to my steering wheel controls for volume control and radio station presets. I've read about kits that can accomplish this with aftermarket stereos. So I think I could work around this.

Thanks again,
Aaron

[Audiobahn77]

My Jeep GC doesn't have the Infinity system in it, so I am not sure what the red blinking thing is. I didn't have to adjust any clock on mine other than the one on the unit itself. I'm not familiar with any kits for what you are talking about with the steering wheel controls....but I must admit that it is a good thing if you can add it to an aftermarket system.

Try swapping the speakers....see if the problem still exists or transfers to the othersides.

[97jgcl]

I also have a 97 JGC Ltd. and thought the same thing about the clock but went ahead and changed it anyways turns out one you remove the stereo you can set the time directly from the info unit, as far as the steering wheel controls are concerned i believe the unit i used was called PAC-SWIX, you have to cut a wire in the steering coulmn that works those controls and splice the unit in it was easy to do and is explained in the units instructions it turns the buttons into a remote with an infared eye that needs to be positioned with an unobstructed view of the head unit so i drilled a hole in the dash housing overhang above the stereo your new head unit also has to have a remote to program the buttons good thing is you can set the functions on the steering wheel to any function of the remote .

[mx52nv]

does anyone have some 96-98 infinity speakers they want to part with??

[awp0]

97jgcl, thanks! This helps a lot.

I was able to fix the "2 speakers dead" problem. After taking out the head unit and two door panels and going through a lot of frustration, I finally happened to notice that the amp (under the rear driver-side seat) had been damaged by water. It was all corroded. This was the obvious problem.

I bought a used one on eBay, popped it in (took all of about 2 minutes), and voila! All speakers are working!

However, I've been looking at some of the new head units in Crutchfield, especially the new Alpine units that support their new Ipod controller....... Maybe it's time to pull the trigger!

Thanks again,
Aaron

[Audiobahn77]

I'm always for upgrading, but it seems funny that you would upgrade just after fixing the problem.

[awp0]

Hehehe, good point! Honestly, I've found this to be somewhat addictive. After improving one aspect of the system, I'm finding now I want to look into making more improvements. I can see how people get so interested in this stuff.

I had assumed that I couldn't replace the head unit simply because of the clock thing. Now that I can replace the head unit, I'll have to pay a bit more attention to those Crutchfield catalogs that I continue to get for some reason.

[Audiobahn77]

That's how I got hooked 13 years ago! Now I'm installing more stuff than I handle. I've moved up to video entertainment too. Even if you're not looking for the most "boomin" system, all upgrades make a difference in sound quality.....some could be worse though (as I have found out the hard way).

[thoriason]

you can change the time on the computer the same way you change your miles back to 0000 after an oil change just go to the time and hold in the botton same as you would to change the miles, then you can change the time, date, and day. Later