Bose subs not working?? Need help please
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 1
From: Anderson South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Bose subs not working?? Need help please
Just bought an 06 Z06 yesterday from original owner. Didn't even think to check the audio system while checking the car out. Started on my 11 hour drive home after calling XM to get it working. Quickly found the stock Bose system (with nav) is not working 100%. Everything works except the door subs. Called the owner and he said he never notice it and it must have been that way since new
My question is, what do I need to check? where is the sub amp located? Has other had problems like this? Thanks
My question is, what do I need to check? where is the sub amp located? Has other had problems like this? Thanks
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
You need to check your wires for a short first. replacing those is always cheaper than buying new subs. check the connections to ur head unit, and make sure all your fuses are working. If the owner didnt recognize the prob then there is a good chance its a fuse believe it or not
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
C6 schematics are HERE
The fuse that supplies the door subs is the same that supplies the amp for everything else, so that may not be it.
If you're sure it's both sides that aren't working, that makes it a bit strange. Check plug C1 at the amp to see if it's tightly connected.
First thing I'd do after verifying amp plug C1 is pull the door skins off and see if they are even plugged in. Previous owner may have had an aftermarket system and not properly restored the oem setup before selling.
The fuse that supplies the door subs is the same that supplies the amp for everything else, so that may not be it.
If you're sure it's both sides that aren't working, that makes it a bit strange. Check plug C1 at the amp to see if it's tightly connected.
First thing I'd do after verifying amp plug C1 is pull the door skins off and see if they are even plugged in. Previous owner may have had an aftermarket system and not properly restored the oem setup before selling.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 1
From: Anderson South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18
C6 schematics are HERE
The fuse that supplies the door subs is the same that supplies the amp for everything else, so that may not be it.
If you're sure it's both sides that aren't working, that makes it a bit strange. Check plug C1 at the amp to see if it's tightly connected.
First thing I'd do after verifying amp plug C1 is pull the door skins off and see if they are even plugged in. Previous owner may have had an aftermarket system and not properly restored the oem setup before selling.
The fuse that supplies the door subs is the same that supplies the amp for everything else, so that may not be it.
If you're sure it's both sides that aren't working, that makes it a bit strange. Check plug C1 at the amp to see if it's tightly connected.
First thing I'd do after verifying amp plug C1 is pull the door skins off and see if they are even plugged in. Previous owner may have had an aftermarket system and not properly restored the oem setup before selling.
Never had an aftermarket system. I checked fuse 31 under the hood which is for the amp and it is okay. I found the bose amp on the pass. side foot well and all connections seem to be okay. I thought the bose system powered the high and mid frequency speakers from the head unit and the subs used the amp in the foot well. Is that correct? maybe the amp is not plugged into the head unit? what do you think. The previous owner has no idea if it ever worked.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
In C6 the 4 normal speakers are powered by the amp in footwell, the subs are self powered but they get their audio signal from amp.
If all is as you currently say, it could be the amp isn't properly splitting the low signal and isn't sending anything out to subs.
I'd still have to take a door skin off to check the sub inputs before coming to any conclusions.
If all is as you currently say, it could be the amp isn't properly splitting the low signal and isn't sending anything out to subs.
I'd still have to take a door skin off to check the sub inputs before coming to any conclusions.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 1
From: Anderson South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18
In C6 the 4 normal speakers are powered by the amp in footwell, the subs are self powered but they get their audio signal from amp.
If all is as you currently say, it could be the amp isn't properly splitting the low signal and isn't sending anything out to subs.
I'd still have to take a door skin off to check the sub inputs before coming to any conclusions.
If all is as you currently say, it could be the amp isn't properly splitting the low signal and isn't sending anything out to subs.
I'd still have to take a door skin off to check the sub inputs before coming to any conclusions.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Dallas TX
I don't mean to make light of the situation. But if you're going to the trouble of taking the door panels off, you may want to seriously consider aftermarket equipment while you've got it apart.
I think that anybody, even a person who has no interest in car audio, who has heard how bad the Bose system in the Z's is will tell you the same thing.
I thought (and hoped) my car audio days were over till I got my '07 Z and heard how bad it sounded.
I think that anybody, even a person who has no interest in car audio, who has heard how bad the Bose system in the Z's is will tell you the same thing.
I thought (and hoped) my car audio days were over till I got my '07 Z and heard how bad it sounded.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
Before you take any panels off.... Turn the bass all the way up, trebel all the way down, adjust fade to all front, crank up the volume on a song that you know has a good bit of bass. Listen to each door and make certain that both are not working.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 1
From: Anderson South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Check for 12vdc and a good ground on the power wires. I'm not sure of the exact voltage, but you're looking for about 2vac on the signal wires.
Before you take any panels off.... Turn the bass all the way up, trebel all the way down, adjust fade to all front, crank up the volume on a song that you know has a good bit of bass. Listen to each door and make certain that both are not working.
Before you take any panels off.... Turn the bass all the way up, trebel all the way down, adjust fade to all front, crank up the volume on a song that you know has a good bit of bass. Listen to each door and make certain that both are not working.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 5,515
Likes: 646
From: Silicon Valley and Yosemite, CA
Check for 12vdc and a good ground on the power wires. I'm not sure of the exact voltage, but you're looking for about 2vac on the signal wires.
Before you take any panels off.... Turn the bass all the way up, trebel all the way down, adjust fade to all front, crank up the volume on a song that you know has a good bit of bass. Listen to each door and make certain that both are not working.
Before you take any panels off.... Turn the bass all the way up, trebel all the way down, adjust fade to all front, crank up the volume on a song that you know has a good bit of bass. Listen to each door and make certain that both are not working.
It would surprise me that they factory subs were bad from the get go. The bass is bad, but I found it to be strong, just very muddy.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 1
From: Anderson South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Okay, got in the car today to back it out so I can pull the door panels. You guessed it, subs working. No where near as strong as my Grand sport but working all the same. Very weak with XM, better with FM and best with CD. It must come and go. At least I know the subs work and my problem is more likely wiring. Thanks to everyone trying to help
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,718
Likes: 20
From: Dyer IN
Cruise-In IX Veteran
agreed. i put a nice system in a forum memebers car a few years ago a C5 not that it matters for this. A year later he had me add xm to his radio, called me 45 min later said his sub wasnt working with the xm. Nothing was wrong with the stereo at all it was all the compression xm used he had no bass
