Stereo Speaker Or Radio Bad?

andyems · April 1, 2011

Today while out pumping gas I noticed that my door chime was not working. This alone would not really bother me, but I thought I had read somewhere that it runs through the stereo speakers, so I did a little investigating and found that the drivers door speaker is not working. It's a reg cab GMT-900 with the OEM radio and speakers.

When I turn on my stereo and adjust it to full front/full left, the small speaker on the "A" post sounds horrible, but the door speaker is not working at all. The door/headlight reminder chime is barely noticable even when I set it to "Loud" in the DIC. If I set it to full front/full right and it sounds fine so it's probably something to do with the drivers side only.

My question, is there a way to trouble shoot and find out if it is just the speaker bad or if it's something wrong with the radio's outputs or something? I have an extended warranty but it's at a dealer that is over a hour away each way. I can have it done locally, but it's a $100 deductible. I really wouldn't have a problem putting in some after market speakers in the doors but don't want to do that unless I know it's the speaker that's bad first. Any ideas you can offer would be great. Thanks in advance.

asc08 · April 1, 2011

I have a 2006 Extended Cab, and the same thing happened. Just the driver's side door speaker, not the tweeter, or any other speaker. Replaced the front speakers with ones from Crutchfield and all is well. From what I have read, this is a very common issue.

mhenshaw · April 1, 2011

Speakers

andyems · April 2, 2011

Driving home tonight they started working again, so definately something intermittent. Anyone recommend a replacement speaker that will compliment the factory radio well? Crutchfield recommended a 2 way Kicker speaker for $70, they said it would go well with the factory set-up but wanted to see if anyone else has any recommendations.

I have a no deductible extended warranty but the dealer it's with is 90 minutes and 55 miles one way. I figure that will take 2 trips more than likely. One for inspection and a return trip when they come in to install, figuring gas at 3.50 a gallon and my time, I'll save by just putting them in myself for $70.

Eddie 70 · April 2, 2011

Just noticed this today with my truck. I don't even know how long the door chime has not been working. LOL!! If its door speakers that need replacing, anyone know what size go in there?

andyems · April 2, 2011

I had a chat with Crutchfield tonight. They recommend a Kicker DS60 6 1/2 inch for the doors. Said that was their best speaker if you are just replacing the speakers with a factory receiver and not upgrading anything else. They have them for $70 shipped to me in TN. For $25 more I can add a 4 inch round to the rear pillar and replace all 4 speakers, including all instructions, wiring adapters, baffles, etc for $102 shipped to me. I've got a post in the audio section right now for opinions on this before I buy though.

asc08 · April 2, 2011

I got the Pioneer TS-G1343R 5-1/4" 2-Way Speakers from Crutchfield, think they were about $50. Having said that, these were the direct replacements for a GMT-800 truck, don't know what size the 900's are.

It's no concert hall, but is sounds a lot better than stock.

I also got the foam speaker baffles to put in behind them. Quick delivery, plus they included the special mounting brackets for the speakers and the wiring adapter.

jdubya · April 3, 2011

Make sure you buy a component speaker system, this will give you the woofer for the door (6 1/2") and the tweeter for the pillar along with the crossover to filter out the two frequencies. Make sure you a re prepared to make your own mounts for the tweeter on the pillar as it will not just bolt in like the door speaker.