front door speaker problems

[Destrii1]

Hi,

I have a 2009 Cobalt LT.

I looked in this Forum about this problem and it seems some people have it.
But the discussion sounds like not many people know much about it.

I have this problem. First it was the passenger side front speaker. I noticed one day it wasn't working. I was still under warranty so they fixed it (or replaced it-I'm not sure which) and it has never acted up since.

Then a week later the drivers side front speaker went out. They have tried to fix it 3 times. It works for a few weeks or months, then starts acting up again. And my warranty has expired during the course of that time.

Now it is acting up for the 4th time. The symptoms seem to range anywhere from very muffled sound coming out of it to no sound at all. Then on another day, it will work ok. But gradually over time, the full sound will not come back-only muffled (or muted sound-barely audible).

The dealership tells me that this is a common problem. But they seem to have no real lasting solution. They say it is in the wiring connector to the speaker itself.

Yet my research on the web seem to indicate that this may be a wiring short problem and that I should trace the wires in the door for a short.

Another bit of web information says that rain could be getting in and that the stock speakers installed in the Cobalts are not rain resistant.

I don't know. I only relate to you here what I have been told-mainly that the dealership says this is a common problem. This problem must span several years of models of Cobalts. One wonders why they let it go on for so long.

Does anyone know anything more about this problem? My question is how do I fix it permanently?

Thanks in advance.

(I don't have a lot of free time much anymore, so please bear with me if it seems to take me a while to respond to any responses.)

 

[GMCustomerService]

I understand that you're now out of warranty and it seems that you're looking to take on fixing this yourself. If you wanted for us to check into anything with your dealership for you, please let us know! We can be reached via private message and ask that you include your name, contact information, and the last 8 digits of your VIN so we can properly document your concern.

Sarah (Assisting Amber)
GM Customer Care

 

[Destrii1]

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, that was what I am thinking I am going to have to do is have a look at the problem myself.

I am hoping that it might be an obvious problem (like a short in a wire somewhere that no one found) or maybe the connector to the speaker (maybe one of the prongs might not be making good contact) and no one caught that.

Otherwise, I will probably be at a loss to figure it out. I really don't think it's the speaker itself because since I posted this thread, the speaker has continued to go in and out almost daily now-mostly exists in a muted, barely audible state, then back to normal for a small while. It doesn't seem to have become totally inaudible yet.

A speaker acting like that couldn't be a sign of a speaker problem itself, could it?

Thanks for the information. I hope I won't need it.

 

[YelloEye]

It could be the speaker or the wiring. You can pull out and hook it up to the other side and see if it follows.

 

[canadianbacon]

I had this same problem with mine, except only in the drivers door in my LS. When I took the speaker out, there was moisture on the connectors and a bit of corrosion. I replaced both speakers with MTX Audio Thunder Dome-Axials (TDX65) and they haven't acted up since. They're very easy to change yourself, and it's a night and day difference between stock, and these, even without an amp (yet).

 

[Destrii1]

I ended up following the advice of some other contributors to forums on this problem. And that was to replace the speakers with new ones. The advice mostly said that new speakers would cure the problem. I got the Pioneer TS-G1644R speakers from Best Buy and had the Geek Squad install them.

They seemed to work.

For two days.

Then the problem returned. Only on the drivers side. And only in barely audible conditions-not totally inaudible. Then later the speaker would mostly work again for a little while, although never at quite 100%.

Then I noticed that another symptom was still appearing. And that was that whenever you rev up the motor with the gas pedal, it tended to make the drivers speaker try and work again.

I had noticed this before like when on a downhill run and I am accelerating, that the speakers would tend to get a tinny, "brighter" electronic sound to them. As if the revving up was sparking more juice to the speakers.

But I didn't think anything of it.

Now the Geek Squad tells me, when I took my car back to them complaining of this unsolved problem, that it is a common problem to the Radio of the car-not the Speakers at all.

He told me that it is common for the radio to 'drop out' the signal that goes to the drivers side speaker because that is the side that carries the door chime and turn signal chime through that side speaker. I didn't really understand why it does that.

He said simply that the radio is going bad.

I tend to believe him, however. It makes a little sense to me since I now have new speakers and my problem is not solved.

But what I am mad about is that out of all the forums I have read on this problem, I don't recall seeing anyone mention anything about the radio being the problem.

What gives? Is it a radio problem? I ended up buying new speakers when I didn't even have to because not even the Chevrolet dealership could identify this as a radio problem? Remember...I went to them first, while I was still under warranty. And all they ever talked about was speakers. Perhaps because that was what I was telling them-that the speaker was going out on me.

But shouldn't they have been more knowledgeable to have known that the speaker was merely a symptom of the problem-not the cause? Especially in view of the fact that they always kept saying that this is a Common problem!?

Come on now. I wonder about Chevrolets' true concern for their customers. I am now more confused than ever about where the problem lies. Do I now need to buy a new radio?

Thanks.

 

[jonny_b]

I ended up following the advice of some other contributors to forums on this problem. And that was to replace the speakers with new ones. The advice mostly said that new speakers would cure the problem. I got the Pioneer TS-G1644R speakers from Best Buy and had the Geek Squad install them.

They seemed to work.

For two days.

Then the problem returned. Only on the drivers side. And only in barely audible conditions-not totally inaudible. Then later the speaker would mostly work again for a little while, although never at quite 100%.

Then I noticed that another symptom was still appearing. And that was that whenever you rev up the motor with the gas pedal, it tended to make the drivers speaker try and work again.

I had noticed this before like when on a downhill run and I am accelerating, that the speakers would tend to get a tinny, "brighter" electronic sound to them. As if the revving up was sparking more juice to the speakers.

But I didn't think anything of it.

Now the Geek Squad tells me, when I took my car back to them complaining of this unsolved problem, that it is a common problem to the Radio of the car-not the Speakers at all.

He told me that it is common for the radio to 'drop out' the signal that goes to the drivers side speaker because that is the side that carries the door chime and turn signal chime through that side speaker. I didn't really understand why it does that.

He said simply that the radio is going bad.

I tend to believe him, however. It makes a little sense to me since I now have new speakers and my problem is not solved.

But what I am mad about is that out of all the forums I have read on this problem, I don't recall seeing anyone mention anything about the radio being the problem.

What gives? Is it a radio problem? I ended up buying new speakers when I didn't even have to because not even the Chevrolet dealership could identify this as a radio problem? Remember...I went to them first, while I was still under warranty. And all they ever talked about was speakers. Perhaps because that was what I was telling them-that the speaker was going out on me.

But shouldn't they have been more knowledgeable to have known that the speaker was merely a symptom of the problem-not the cause? Especially in view of the fact that they always kept saying that this is a Common problem!?

Come on now. I wonder about Chevrolets' true concern for their customers. I am now more confused than ever about where the problem lies. Do I now need to buy a new radio?

Thanks.

that is why i always call them stealerships. but there were 3 possibilities for your problem. speakers, wiring, head unit. now the speakers are out of the way. paying and still having a problem sucks, buuuuuut now you know that replacing the head unit, which you will also need the $100 wiring harness, and dash kit. bright side is, you will have better sound when you put you new head unit in. if you want, i have a sony single din, with bluetooth, usb, aux i'll let go in a dash kit for a reasonable price. $50 plus shipping sound good to you?

 

[Destrii1]

Thanks. I'll consider it. But I really want to shop around for what I might want to end up doing. And that is to go ahead and put in my dream unit with the big screen navigation system.
I'm only just toying with the idea as of now, but I had dreamed of doing it ever since I bought the car and if ever there was a time to do it.......

But you are right. I have practically eliminated the speakers as the problem. The drivers speaker only, is now constantly in low volume and does not get any louder anymore. If by replacing the radio solves the problem, well, I just hope this forum helps anyone else who ever has this problem.

 

[jonny_b]

i would recommend getting a touch screen with nav. they are so nice. mine doesn't have the nav, but it still looks so much better than a single with a cubby hole.

 

[YelloEye]

I can vouch for the single and cubby hole being lame.

 

[Destrii1]

Yes, I would agree.
I'm just starting searching for something nice.
Anyone want to bombard me with any recommendations and possibly some pics?

So far, my early search seems to favor ipods and iphones (which I don't want-I have android) over android as I look at some big screen (approx. 6") units.

I guess what I'm initially thinking, at this beginning of my search, is am/fm radio, cd, dvd, gps, usb, android (not necessarily iphone, but definitely android)....in a 6" approx. sized screen that may have to be made to fit into a single din slot. (I'm presuming that the slot can be enlarged to fit the unit.....in something that's moderately priced. I've seen similar like units going for $700+. I hesitate to spend more than that.

Or am I just dreaming to big?

Do I have to subscribe to a satellite radio or something (I don't know what all's out there) in order to get gps to work?

Some of my questions may seem silly because I don't know much about all this yet. I'll learn more as I research more.

I would like to hear some of your suggestions. Thanks.

 

[Destrii1]

Well.....I posted a reply yesterday but it didn't show up.
???
I used Quick Reply. ???

Anyway, this time I'm using the reply box under the last posted comment.

I'll try and reiterate what I had posted.

I have decided to look into a new radio or touchscreen unit.

I would like the big display. I don't know much about it yet, not yet having done much research but I wanted the touchscreen unit that features stuff like usb, am/fm, cd, dvd, gps, bluetooth, etc.

Do I have to subscribe to a satellite service or something to get gps to work? What about the other features working? Do I have to be signed up with a service?

My radio fills a space 4 3/4" X 7 3/4". Is that called the single din or double din space? Can a touchscreen unit in the 6" - 7" range fit or be made to fit in dash?

I have looked initially at a few units online and they seem to feature iphone partiality. I want android compatibility.

The prices climb quickly for these units. I hesitate to go higher than the $700-800 range.

Lastly, I enlist recommendation from you all to give me some ideas and/or starting points as to what units I can look at that I might like.

Thanks.

---------- Post added at 06:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:08 PM ----------

Well, now I see the first post that I thought didn't post.

I guess it went to page 2 but it didn't show me it did that. So I didn't see it until I re-posted.

Fix! Or at least tell/show me next time what I didn't do right. Thanks.

It's frustrating when you have to redo something and then find out you didn't have to redo it.

 

[jonny_b]

In-Dash Car Navigation Systems - Car Navigation Systems at OnlineCarStereo.com - Bluetooth | Yes - Preamp Voltage | 4 - Rear View Camera Input | Yes

this was just a basic search, but you can remove the options and go from there. they have the best prices i had found on most things. but i dont look above $400.....

as for the iphone features, they are run by usb. with a bluetooth headunit, androids can do just as much. pretty answer, reject calls, and pandora for sure. i'm sure there are alot of other things, but i messed up and ordered the wrong receiver that doesn't have bluetooth.

 

[Destrii1]

Thanks for the leads. I'll certainly look into them.

Just an update.....now the driver's side front door speaker came back and has been working for about 1 1/2 weeks.

Prior to that, it was faint for about 2 weeks, and going back in time even more, it was in and out the first week after I got the new speakers.

It is working now. But that doesn't mean it won't start acting up tomorrow.

I say speaker because it is my only 'indicator' for trouble. What I really mean is the radio. I guess that's the problem-the radio.

For now, I still need to shop around (and check out your site, too). Cash is slow right now.

Thanks.

 

[jonny_b]

you could switch out the speaker wire to eliminate that, but since you have the '09 your chime comes through that speaker. i dont remember if this was already said now, but also since you have the '09 i think you need the expensive wiring harness also. if you use the cheap one you lose your chime for keys, headlights on, and i believe the odometer display stops working. although, i havent read anything about that recently to know if anyone has gotten around that.

 

[YelloEye]

Odometer doesn't stop working, you just loose any and all chimes. Using a multimeter to test the continuity if that section of wire would be a good idea.

 

[Destrii1]

Thanks for the advice. I have been to a local Stereo Shop and they have about sold me on a JVC KWNT510HDT unit. Once it's all said and done, we're talking $1200. I'm going to have to start saving. It may be several months.
But does anyone know anything about this unit-good or bad?

These people said they would check all my wiring out if I buy this unit and let them install it as well as show me everything about how to operate it. They gave a good sales pitch and I asked a lot of questions. My local Chevrolet dealership recommended them as they use their services as well.

The more I look into this project, the less I feel I could do it myself.

Incidentally, two days after I last posted, the driver speaker started acting up again and has been ever since.

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[emperorjj1]

im not a huge fan on JVC but they arent bad. do you have the stock pioneer sound system? or the base?

 

[Destrii1]

Hi! Sorry for the delay. October is my most trying month.

The speaker continues to go in and out. A curious thing......when I plug my android smartphone into it to listen to my phone's music, it seems to bring back the drivers side speaker. Then, after I finish and switch back to listening to the radio, the speaker will work for an hour or day or two.

Very strange.

I only have the two Pioneer door speakers I bought, hoping that would cure the problem-as some forums suggested it would. My back speakers are factory.

I still continue to wait to get October out of the way so I can start saving up for the JVC unit. Lots of my bills come due for me in October. More than in other months.

Thanks for the posts.

 

[emperorjj1]

your good im just trying to point you the right direction. My main selling point was the shop checking out the wiring.

however i used to work at a shop... and checking out the wiring may or may not be enough.

nice to know the front speakers were replaced and didnt fix the issue. but do you have the base stock system or the upgraded pioneer 7 speaker stock system? im asking because it makes a difference