Early C4 Bose problem
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,194
Likes: 27
From: Monroe Twp, NJ
Early C4 Bose problem
My original Bose radio speakers seem to cut on one side when you hit bumps. I have lived with problem since I bought the car 10 years ago. It is an 84 Z51 so the ride is harsh. Now even little bumps and I loose the whole radio until I hit another bump, then it usually come back on. Is this common on these cars and does it sound like a speaker problem or the radio itself ? Is it true you cant just replace the radio ?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
Of course it's not true that you can't replace the radio! By this time, most of us have done just that! I'm surprised you have one that still works (mostly)!
I don't see anything in my '84 FSM that would cause one side to quit because of a bump. The grounds must be okay, or you'd loose either the front or the rear, but not one side only. The power to the amps must be okay, or you'd loose either the front or the rear (or all), but not one side only. The four amps must be okay, or you'd loose only one speaker.
You might try cleaning the contacts in the large connector on the back of the head unit, and applying a little contact lube on the contacts. Contact lube is available at your favorite auto parts store, and is usually recommended for light bulb sockets. Other than that, I'd guess it's probably a bad solder joint somewhere inside your head unit. Hopefully someone else can come up with some ideas for you.
I don't see anything in my '84 FSM that would cause one side to quit because of a bump. The grounds must be okay, or you'd loose either the front or the rear, but not one side only. The power to the amps must be okay, or you'd loose either the front or the rear (or all), but not one side only. The four amps must be okay, or you'd loose only one speaker.
You might try cleaning the contacts in the large connector on the back of the head unit, and applying a little contact lube on the contacts. Contact lube is available at your favorite auto parts store, and is usually recommended for light bulb sockets. Other than that, I'd guess it's probably a bad solder joint somewhere inside your head unit. Hopefully someone else can come up with some ideas for you.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,226
Likes: 697
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
My original Bose radio speakers seem to cut on one side when you hit bumps. I have lived with problem since I bought the car 10 years ago. It is an 84 Z51 so the ride is harsh. Now even little bumps and I loose the whole radio until I hit another bump, then it usually come back on. Is this common on these cars and does it sound like a speaker problem or the radio itself ? Is it true you cant just replace the radio ?
Last edited by Cruisinfanatic; Oct 26, 2016 at 11:10 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,194
Likes: 27
From: Monroe Twp, NJ
When I play with the bass **** the radio plays fine no matter what direction it is turned in. The rear speaker are NO LONGER in this car. Wires have been taped and cut for many years. When I turn the speaker **** to one side the radio still plays but goes very low. I am thinking it is because there is no rear speakers. The volume **** had a **** behind it but they appear to be one ****. This is how the car was when I bought it 10 years ago. When I slap the doors the radio play fine so this tells me it is NOT a bad connection on the speakers in the door. Yet when you go over bumps the radio cuts out all you hear is stattic, hut some more bumps and it come back on ?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,226
Likes: 697
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
When I play with the bass **** the radio plays fine no matter what direction it is turned in. The rear speaker are NO LONGER in this car. Wires have been taped and cut for many years. When I turn the speaker **** to one side the radio still plays but goes very low. I am thinking it is because there is no rear speakers. The volume **** had a **** behind it but they appear to be one ****. This is how the car was when I bought it 10 years ago. When I slap the doors the radio play fine so this tells me it is NOT a bad connection on the speakers in the door. Yet when you go over bumps the radio cuts out all you hear is stattic, hut some more bumps and it come back on ?
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 165
From: Utah
I have the same car with the same original system.
Last year i hit a bump hard and one speaker cut out for a short time, still if i hit a bump it will sometimes crackle.
I have not taken the time to look at commectioms ect, however if i move different ***** i get static through the speakers.
A few weeks ago the stereo really acted up and after fiddling with the ***** back and forth it cleaned up.
Thoughts?
Last year i hit a bump hard and one speaker cut out for a short time, still if i hit a bump it will sometimes crackle.
I have not taken the time to look at commectioms ect, however if i move different ***** i get static through the speakers.
A few weeks ago the stereo really acted up and after fiddling with the ***** back and forth it cleaned up.
Thoughts?
