1996 Chevy Cavalier Rear Speakers Out

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FLAME816
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hey, I'm really just starting to learn about cars so I'm pretty new at this whole thing. But anyway, I have a 96 Chevy Cavalier, and just recently I noticed the rear speakers don't work. The front ones work just fine, but when I fade the sound to the back, nothing happens. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Oct 22, 2006 at 7:31 AM
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BRUCE HUNT
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Follow wires to back. Could be a wire that is pinched and thus grounded out.
Oct 23, 2006 at 9:08 AM
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FLAME816
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is it possible that it's a problem up front somewhere? I took the rear panels apart and I didn't notice any pinched wires.
Oct 23, 2006 at 12:36 PM
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THE_HYDROXIDE_CHILD
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If It Was Me I Would Find Someone Who Knows How To Use A Volt Meter And Hook It Up To One Of The Back Speakers And See If You Get a Reading , If No Check The Wiring Harness If You Do Then U Got Bad Speakers.... Sorry If That Didnt Help..
Oct 24, 2006 at 3:39 PM
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FLAME816
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thanks you for the suggestions, I have a couple spare speakers lying around, maybe I'll hook them up to try to test the voltage. I'm pretty sure they weren't blown out though. When I got the car they worked fine, and I don't crank my music, but I'll check it out just in case.
Oct 25, 2006 at 10:05 AM
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FLAME816
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It turned out that it was a speaker problem after all, not a wiring problem. It seems odd that both speakers would go out at the same time, although I guess I could've been driving all this time with one functional back speaker and never noticed. Anyway, I just replaced one of the old speakers with a speaker from a 15watt amplifier and soldered the wires together. It wasn't quite the right shape, but it fit pretty well. I only have one functional rear speaker now, but it's behind the back seat anyway so you can't really tell. Thanks for all your help guys.
Oct 25, 2006 at 12:48 PM

Suggested Repair

Trace the rear speaker wires for a pinch or ground. If the wiring is intact, test the rear speakers with a voltmeter or known-good speakers and replace any that have failed.

Conversation Summary

A 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier owner reported that the rear speakers produced no sound when the fade was set to the rear, while the front speakers worked. An expert suggested following the rear wires and checking for a pinched, grounded wire. After checking the rear panels and finding no pinched wires, the owner tested the speakers and found they had failed. Replacing one rear speaker restored sound on that side.

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