i have a 1990 corvette,only 19000 mi. the radio front rt speaker works faintly as the car warms up.service manual shows a relay under lt hand side under steering wheel,there is no wiring nor a place for one,is there one?oh yea this is a bose system & also the tape deck does not work.can any one tell me an easy way to find out how to find out if its the radio,reciever,speakers and or something else maybe so simple that i am over looking thank for the help.

 

Well FIRST, welcome aboard.

Now, help us help you by filling out your profile.

Next, get the Helms Factory Service Manual (FSM). Helms is the original publisher. Don't get the white-cover version as it's only a prototype. Get the red-cover version. (Search this Forum and eBay.) And don't fool around with Haynes, Chiltons or other cheapies. They not up to the task on these cars.

The system has four speakers, as you probably know, and each has it's own amp. Very likely 3 of the 4 are shot. Then, and I got this from Dr. Don, (search the forum) who told me that our models have the "first gen" circuit boards and carrier/motor assemblies in the CD head.

He replaces those boards with a two-board setup that is capable of CDRWs and so forth. I'm going to ask him if he can make mine MP3 capable as I want to keep the stock panel.

He also replaces the CD carrier/motor assembly with a current generation setup that turns our CDs into modern units.

Back to the deal -- the radio reciever box is under the glove box and that's most likely faulty also.

Having said all of that, here's what the FSM suggests for your symtoms:

No sound from one or more speakers, but at least one works - Disconnect two-way connector at one speaker. Connect an ohmmeter or a known good 1.5-volt C or D-cell battery across the speaker terminals. Speaker should pop when battery touches terminals. Does it?
(I'm quoting.)

If yes, check the two speaker wires from radio receiver box to suspect speaker connector (see schematic) for an open or short to ground or to each other. If ok, remove radio receiver box for servicing.

If no, replace speaker.

Tape deck inop - This problem is involved-enough that, frankly, I don't have time to type it all out here at the office. PM me with an email address and I'll scan and send the page to you as a pdf. Essentially, though, the bottom line on this squawk boils down to the radio receiver box.

Hope this helps.

PS: At just 19K you must have a cherry '90. Post some pics for us.

 

I just replaced the radio in my wife's 85 (Delco/Bose) with a Pioneer head unit. I spent $24 for the Scosche connector harness and interface that is a must and makes this installation painless. My radio was cutting out and making strange noises. I did not change the speakers and the systems sounds awesome! Heavy hitting base and all. Some people think the Delco/Bose system is crap, but I imagine after 22 years the radio just crapped out. Anyway, the factory speakers worked good with this setup for me.

 

Can you tell us more about your radio conversion......What model, where purchased, cost, add ons, connectors, type and where....what was involved with installation....did you do it yourself.....thanks.

 

If you send your speakers and amps back to Bose they will rebuild then very cheap. Had a bad amp on a rear and they put both an amp and a new speaker, I think it cost me about $80.00