Diagnosis And Testing - Speaker
Disable the airbag system before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, seat belt tensioner, side airbag or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery (ground) cable. Wait two minutes for the airbag system capacitor to discharge before performing further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the airbag system. Failure to follow these instructions may result in accidental airbag deployment and possible serious or fatal injury.
The speaker output of the radio is a "floating ground" system. Do not allow any speaker lead to short to ground, as damage to the radio may result.
Any diagnosis of the Audio system should begin with the use of the scan tool. For information on the use of the scan tool, refer to the appropriate Diagnostic Service information.
For complete circuit diagrams, refer to the appropriate wiring information.
Speaker Buzz, Squeak, Rattle (BSR) Diagnosis and Testing
- Begin by verifying the customer complaint. The exact conditions that caused the issue for the customer must be used. Pay close attention to the following details:
- Type of input (FM, AM, XM, CD)
- Volume Level
- Audio settings, including bass and treble
- Once the complaint has been reproduced, clear the map pocket and storage bins of all loose items around the speaker in question.
- Attempt to reproduce the issue in a non-radio mode, such as CD, Bluetooth®, or Auxiliary Input. This will help determine if it is a speaker issue or a reception issue.
- If the speaker noise is still present, visit the Tech Connect home page and follow the instructions to download the Audio Test Files for Speaker Diagnosis to a USB drive.
- Insert the USB drive in the proper input of the vehicle and then set the following radio settings:
- Bass at maximum
- Mid and treble at neutral
- Volume at step 30
- Play all of the frequencies on the USB drive with the recommended settings. When a frequency reproduces the noise, press the interior panels around the speaker to see if the noise subsides. It may be necessary to replace broken trim clips or use foam tape to correct a speaker noise issue.
Electrical Diagnosis and Testing
- If all speakers are inoperative, inspect all related radio and amplifier fuses. If OK, go to Step 2. If not OK, repair the shorted circuit or component as required and replace the faulty fuse.
- Check the amplifier fuse (if equipped). If OK, go to Step 3. If not OK, repair the shorted circuit or component as required and replace the faulty fuse.
- Turn the ignition switch to the ON position. Turn the radio ON. Adjust the balance and fader control controls to check the performance of each individual speaker. Note the speaker locations that are not performing correctly. Go to Step 4.
- Turn the radio OFF. Turn the ignition OFF. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable. If equipped with an Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS), disconnect the IBS connector first before disconnecting the negative battery cable. If the vehicle is not equipped with an amplifier, remove the radio. If the vehicle is equipped with an amplifier, disconnect the wire harness connector at the output side of the amplifier. Go to Step 5.
- Check both the speaker feed (+) circuit and return (-) circuit cavities for the inoperative speaker at the radio wire harness connector for continuity to ground. There should be no continuity. If OK, go to Step 6. If not OK, repair the shorted speaker feed (+) or return (-) circuit(s) to the speaker as required.
- Disconnect the wire harness connector at the inoperative speaker. Check for continuity between the speaker feed (+) circuit cavities of the radio wire harness connector or, if equipped, the amplifier wire harness connector and the speaker wire harness connector. Repeat the check between the speaker return (-) circuit cavities of the radio wire harness connector and the speaker wire harness connector. In each case, there should be continuity. If OK, replace the faulty speaker. If not OK, repair the open speaker feed (+) or return (-) circuit(s) as required.