96 GC speaker problems

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Hi all,
I have a '96 Grand Caravan that I've installed an aftermarket CD player in. The problem I'm having is that any extended period of time at a loud volume (3/4 of max at most) causes my front speakers to cut out. This also happens with the stock deck re-installed. I can usually get them to work again by banging on the dashboard. I've figured that it's a connection at the speaker, so I know i'll need to take off the panel that covers the speakers, but can someone tell me how to do this? Also, what are the chances of setting off the passenger airbag while doing it?

If anyone has come across this problem before, please fill me in on how you fixed it.

Thanks everyone

[slantsixness]

The speakers are either blown, or your new stereo is overheating.

If the speakers are ok, then you may have the speaker wiring wrong (rear negative terminals on the front and vice versa is a common mistake)
If the wiring is wrong, then it's likely that your fader doesn't work properly (front to rear) usually it will sound funny and seem louder in the "middle" than on "front" or "rear". follow the wiring instructions included with the new stereo to remedy this. If you're using a pre-made pigtail from your car stereo shop, it's probably wired wrong, as from '79-'94 the wiring changed slightly, and again in '94. It's not that big a deal, but you need to look closely. The current overheating of your new radio shouldn't harm it permanently, as long as you fix the wiring.

Good luck,

Slantsixness

[GFresh]

Thanks, I'll take a look at both of those, but i'd also like an opinion on what I think it might be. I thought about this today. There is no crackling or any other indication of a blown speaker, and i was thinking that maybe it's a bad connection on the speaker itself, like a loose wire. When the stereo is running loud, the dash shakes, which i thought might cause a loose connection to come apart all together. This might then fix itself when i bang on the dash (when in doubt, hit the darned thing). Also, overheating or a poorly wired harness wouldn't really explain that it happens with the stock deck too, like i said in my first post.

Does anyone think I might be on a right track here?

Also, how about a little help in how to take that panel off that covers the speakers and defroster vent?

Thanks again

P.S. slantsixness, don't get me wrong, I really appreciate your help and will check out your suggestions too.

[slantsixness]

The panel just pops off; Take the pillar panels off, too.
And yes, the speaker cones can warp and get loose connections from the connector plate to the coil. Either way, the speaker is bad and unrepairable, just replace them.

When you take the panel off, be careful not to disconnect the upper dash (turn signal/warning lights) connector. (it's a pain in the A__ when you get it all back together and then have no idiot lights up there!)

[GFresh]

Thanks buddy. I just went out and did that, and sure enough, one of the wires that goes from the contact to the cone (pardon my terminology, i don't know much about speakers) has come loose. It's only connecting by one little wire instead of the six or seven that are usually braided together and soldered there. Whenever the speaker shakes, the contact between that one wire and the terminal is seperated. Poof, no sound. I'll replace the speaker (maybe both fronts) this weekend.

Thanks for your help.