Driving on a nice summer day with the windows down and your favorite music blaring sometimes comes at a cost. Over time, even the speakers of the best audio systems can break. Failures depend on what you listen to and the playback volume. Electronic music with a lot of bass and rap are known to create these kinds of problems at the right volume.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Listening to the Stereo for Damage
Step 1. Turn on the car
Many cars need to be turned on to use the radio. If your car isn't special, there's no need to start the engine - you'll only be wasting gasoline.
Step 2. Insert a CD player or mp3 device with songs with many different sounds
Choose pieces that you listen to often, in order to recognize possible defects in the reproduction. For example, you might choose a song with a clear bassline that you know well.
Step 3. Turn up the volume to an appropriate level
If it's too low, you won't be able to tell if the speaker is broken, but that doesn't mean you need to deafen the neighborhood with your music to assess the health of the system.
If necessary, adjust the bass and treble. Make sure that the knobs that control the levels are in the same position, at "12 o'clock". If you experience a lack of certain frequencies, it could simply mean that the system is not equalized properly
Step 4. Recognize the distortions
If you are having difficulty with this step, listen to the song with headphones or another device. Then, play it with the car's audio system. If you notice crackles and the music seems muffled, then one or more speakers may be damaged.
Watch out for vibrations. If a crate is broken, you will likely feel metallic vibrations
Step 5. Note any frequency gaps
If a speaker that plays bass, mids or others is broken, you will notice that some registers are not reproduced. This test is much easier if you are familiar with the song you are listening to and know what to expect.
Step 6. Isolate the crates
If possible, use the stereo's audio balance controls to locate the faulty speaker. By narrowing down to just one section of the car, it will be easier to understand which of the speakers is responsible for the playback problems. Always try to isolate the fault, so as to avoid spending too much money to replace the entire system.
- Use the "panning" function to shift the sound from the left to the right speakers. Set the switch up to 100% on one side to completely isolate a speaker.
- Use the "fading" setting in the same way as for balance. Move 100% of the sound to the front or rear speakers of the car.
Part 2 of 4: Check the Wiring
Step 1. Remove the cables from the amplifier and connect them to a 9 volt battery
Notice if the speaker produces a short crackle.
- To carry out this operation it may be necessary to unscrew the case from its seat.
- Remove cables only if you are experienced with this type of work.
Step 2. Check the speaker
Remove the crate cover to look inside. Plug the device back into a 9 volt battery and see what happens. If the cone moves, the problem lies in the connection and not in the case.
Step 3. Get a multimeter
This simple electronic meter measures ohms and volts. You can find it in electronics stores and hardware stores.
You can also use an ohmmeter
Step 4. Measure the resistance (ohms)
If you are using a multimeter, set it to measure electrical resistance. Make sure the speakers are turned off. Connect the poles of the device to the terminals of the speaker, that is, to the points where the cables were connected.
- If the measurement is 1 ohm, the speaker is not broken and the problem lies somewhere else.
- If the device measures infinite ohms, the speaker is broken.
Part 3 of 4: Check the Amplifiers
Step 1. Understand the importance of amplifiers for sound reproduction
When the amplifier is broken, you will hear distortion coming from the speakers, or the songs will not play at all. Usually the broken components are fuses or capacitors.
Step 2. Open the fuse box
If you don't know where it is, check the internet or the car's manual. In most cases it is located under the dashboard or under the hood.
Step 3. Set your multimeter to conductivity test
This will help you determine if the fuse is in good condition or if it needs to be replaced.
Step 4. Connect the multimeter to the fuse box
Touch the poles of the fuse with the leads of the instrument.
Step 5. Notice if you hear beeps
If you hear a beep, the fuse is good and the fault is probably in the capacitor. If you don't hear any signals, the fuse is broken and needs to be replaced. Make sure you replace it with an identical model.
If you hear a beep, consider replacing the amplifier. Often they are not too expensive and the operation does not require tin, soldering iron and vacuum pump as in the case of replacing a capacitor
Step 6. Turn on the car and test the speakers
They should now work. If not, there is some other problem. Consider taking your car to a repair shop to have it repaired by a professional.
Part 4 of 4: Determining the Severity of Damage
Step 1. Inspect the fault
Once you have determined that the problem lies with the speakers, physically observe them. Determine for holes, tears, or cracks. Remember to remove the protective cover to perform a thorough inspection of the internal components. Often, you will find damage in the cone, which is the soft part of the case.
- Gently run your hand along the cone to make sure there are no lacerations you are unable to see.
- Dust and dirt shouldn't affect the sound quality, but cleaning the speaker can be a good idea.
Step 2. Repair minor damage
If there is only a small tear on the crate, you can fix it with a specific sealant. If the damage is more extensive, you will likely need to replace the part.
Step 3. Test the other speakers
When you understand that one of the crates is broken, check that the others are intact. Unmount the failed item if you haven't already. Listen to the song you chose earlier on the car stereo and look for irregularities in the sound.
- If the problem also occurs in other speakers, consider replacing the entire system.
- Follow the steps above to test other speakers that may be faulty.
Step 4. Let a professional evaluate the implant
Take the car or the faulty speaker to an auto electrician. Explain the tests you have carried out and ask for a quote for a check and possible repair. Don't hesitate to ask if it is worth repairing or if it is more convenient to replace the system.
Warnings
- Always operates safely on electrical circuits.
- Never insert tools or other objects into a powered speaker.
- Be careful to avoid injury when working on electrical components.
