Car blew the speakers up itself ? yep haunted car!

[sean]

Hi All,

Strange one this, I have a 9-3 1.9tid (150) 2007(not face lift 56 plate)  anniversary saloon, have had it 2 years.
The other day I returned from car wash,( usually do the "hand car wash" but this as a crappy automated pull through job, just wanted to get salt off). heard a strange "interference crackling sound" from the radio that I had not heard before,
pulled up at home, locked car, whilst talking to my neighbour I heard an almighty racket coming from the stereo, so unlocked car, went for the volume control worried about how loud the noise was ( sounded like a jet engine ) did nothing, the stereo was off, no keys in car, so I pulled the fuse out of the boot for the stereo, still doing it?, god knows what was powering them.

Anyway, I have noticed o/s/f door speaker flapping, and maybe a couple of others are below par.

Has anyone else ever experienced this? I think the root cause must be the car wash? I have removed the head unit, all connections are fine, no visible water ingress, cars in very good condition, doors/ seals etc....wise.
I'm worried if I replace and the issue re-occurs with out knowing what it was, blowing any new speakers.

Other thing I need help with is what speakers to get, I presume the sat/nav stero combi (grundig) and 7 speakers isn't the standard stereo, maybe ungraded for the anniversary? also heard the door speakers are sub frequency only?

thinking of just the door speaker to change at the min.

unsure what to buy and where at the minute?

Appreciate your help many thanks indeed

Sean

[sgould]

My first thought is to check the amp (AMP1)under the passenger seat.  It can get flooded.  Water can creep in unnoticed in a lot of places.

The underseat amp powers the door speakers and the centre dash one. You are right, the door speakers are bass only.

I'll have a look at the wiring diagram later and see what it looks like.  I think there are separate fuses for the head unit, and the other bits.

The satnav head unit is ICM3.  It is the Infotainment Control Module.  It has to remain in the car to give you warning sounds and computer links.  The main radio and amp which feeds the four speakers in the front and rear corners is behind the aircon panel.  That's the Entertainment Head Unit (EHU).  The audio signal and the control data runs between ICM, EHU & AMP1 by fibre optics.  The speakers and power supplies are hard wired.

If you have the 13 soeaker system, there is an additional amp (AMP2) in the boot, left hand side at the back.  The guts of the sat nav is in a tin box under the rear parcel shelf.  The data and control signals to the rear amp and sat nav are also by fibre optics.  The same optic cable ring that is extended from the front.  Optic cables look like orange wires.

[sean]

Ok thanks very much sgould, I will investigate those areas, on the replacement speakers, any ideas? some of the ones on ebay etc... are 6.5" with mid and tweeters which are no good, thinking of a second hand one but can't be sure they will be to the same spec as mine.

[sgould]

I have never messed about with the speakers (or the audio!!).  My wife was the main driver and she prefers the radio off when she drives.  The speakers vary in impedance.  Your originals should be these.

[sgould]

The EHU behind the aircon panel is fed by fuse 14 in the fusebox in the end of the dashboard.

The underseat AMP1 is fed by fuse 25 in the fusebox under the bonnet on the left hand front wing.

If you have an amp (AMP2) in the boot, it's fed through fuse 22 in the Rear Electrical Centre behind the trim in the boot on the right.

The CD player/changer under the aircon is fed through fuse 2 on the end of the dashboard.

Here's some photos I took when I removed the EHU to fit the AUX connector.

[aerojon]

which dash

[Petemate]

Sean - if you find ANY signs of water ingress in either footwell,  I advise that you very quickly check the scuttle drain. The main one is on the right hand side in the corner under the wiper linkage. Well worth dragging off the wipers and covers for checking if either 1) you have recently pourchased the car and/or 2) (which you have) you have put the car through a car wash. This happened to me with my previous Saab, soon after I had bought it, and it showed that the drain had not been cleared during the previous srvicing or checks. It was absolutely full of silt and muck and water from the use of the car wash had spilt over and through the heater motor. I sprayed it with WD40 after clearing and drying out the scuttle. (the motor bearings are vulnerable!) I check this drain every service, and usually there is muck in there which can cause a nasty build-up of rain water. There is also a drain in the lower centre of the bulkhead for the air con but I have never found a roiblem with this. I'm sure sgould will be along with some nice pics from the WIS!
Pete

[sgould]

Pete, do you mean the left hand side looking from the driver's seat?

[nine-fiver]

Sean,

Replaced my Amp unit, under the front seat after it cut out completely. I agree that water ingress is the culprit? Mine had heavily corroded casing, on the Pioneer unit. Apparently 'they all do that'. Unfixable. Pop in a fresh one and see if the noise goes away. 45 minute job, and no, you don't have to take out the seat!

[sean]

Thanks Lads, superb feedback, will have a look this weekend, the noises have stopped since it happened so hopefully it should be ok, water ingress sounds plauasable, never had a "damp" issue though, cheers

[Petemate]

Pete, do you mean the left hand side looking from the driver's seat?

Only just seen this post - yeah, sorry, got my left & right mixed up (usually the wife's problem...)

Also worthy of mention, stolen from one of the V***hall forums, the drilling of drain holes in the bottom of the vee of the pollen filter is a good idea.
P

[smurkenstein]

I had the exploding speaker noise a little while back - might not be related as I have the old stereo (and no moisture under the seat). I was getting in the car and the right door speaker came out with aloud burst of white/tone noises (no ignition key) - lasted about 1-2 seconds.  Happened about a year ago and has never recurred since. I guess I should check if the speaker blew.