“A blown speaker” is a common term that people use to describe a speaker that is not working properly. If the sound quality of your speaker has worsened or you cannot hear the sound at all, then you’re dealing with the classic case of a blown speaker.
Before you start saving money for new speakers, you should know that there are ways to fix this problem, and you can even do it by yourself.
What Is the Cause of a Blown Car Speaker?
In most cases, there is an issue with speakers because of a malfunction called thermal failure. Thermal failure occurs when a speaker takes on more power than it can handle. When a speaker takes on more power, it overheats. Overheating could damage the glue that sticks all of the components of a speaker together.
In addition, overheating could potentially melt or burn wires or the voice coil. The voice coil of a speaker is very important because damaging it will leave you with bad sound or even no sound at all.
Mechanical failure occurs when a speaker’s component called cone is displaced. The displacement of a cone usually happens when speakers are not set up correctly. If the cone moves from the place where it is supposed to be, parts of a speaker can collide with each other or with the frame of a speaker. The collision can break, loosen or tear these components, and the speaker will not be able to work properly.
If you turn the volume up too high and leave it like that for some time, it is probable that you will cause serious damage to the speakers. But, your actions do not have to be the reason for blown speakers.
In case your car has lower quality equipment, there is a chance that speakers will break even if you use them properly. In addition, it is normal for electronic devices to wear down over time and break, so your speaker could be blown because it is simply too old. For this reason, I made a list of great car speakers that won’t cost you a fortune.
How to Fix a Blown Car Speaker (Step-by-Step)
Now that you are familiar with the causes of blown speakers, here are six steps that could help you fix this problem.
1. Inspect Your Speakers
The first step is to check your speakers in order to make sure that they are the problem. Sometimes, it will be obvious that your speakers are not working properly.
For example, if you do not hear any sound from your speakers, then you can be sure that they are the problem. However, it is not always that easy to know that you have a blown speaker.
To check if your speakers need fixing, you need to play music. It is best to insert a CD. You should avoid turning on a radio, because it often comes with static, and you won’t be able to hear if there are distorting sounds that come from your speakers. I recommend that you play a song that you often listen to because it will be easier to recognize any unfamiliar sound.
If you hear anything irregular, like rattling or shaking sound, then you should turn up the volume to see if it gets worse. If it does, then there is a big chance that the speaker’s cone or the voice coil is damaged or loose.
2. Determine Which Speaker Needs Fixing
The next thing you should do is check which speakers is causing the issue. You can do this by isolating the speaker in system controls if your car has that option. If your car does not have that option, then you should get close to every speaker and listen carefully.
After this step, you will know if there is a problem with your car’s speakers and which ones need repairing or replacing. If speakers are not the issue, you should be aware that there are other parts of your car that can cause a disturbing noise when you play music. I have an article about fixing rattling car speakers that you might want to take a look at.
3. Remove Components
The next step is to remove parts of a speaker, so you can check which part is damaged. Before you start removing components, you should read your car’s manual. There is a chance that you will find instructions on how to remove parts of a speaker for your model. However, if you do not have the manual or the instructions are unclear, then you can follow my directions.
Firstly, you should use a screwdriver or a ratchet to open the enclosure of a speaker. Then, you need to unplug all of the wires that connect the speaker to your car. In order to remove the surround of a speaker, you can use a knife or scissors. You should gently stab the knife somewhere in the surround’s foam, and then slowly cut it out of the speaker.
The next thing you should do is remove the cone of a speaker with a knife. When you do that, you will see a voice coil. You should unplug every wire that connects the system to the voice coil before removing it. Then, you should scrape the remaining glue with an emery paper or a knife.
4. Clean the Speaker
It is important to clean the dirt and dust from your speaker. Using a cloth and alcohol will be enough to clean everything. You can also use cotton swabs in order to reach every part and clean the speaker thoroughly.
5. Identify and Fix the Problem
When you remove everything, you will be able to check which part is damaged. You should first check the speaker’s cone. If it is torn or cut, you can just take some glue or tape in order to fix the ruptured parts (check the video below). But, if the cone is severely damaged, you will have to replace it.
Another important part of a speaker that you need to check is the voice coil. In case the voice coil is melted, you will need to find a new one.
It is not hard to replace the voice coil. You just need to put the new coil where the old one used to be and plug in all the necessary wires.
Replacing the speaker cone is also easy. You should apply glue on the new cone and put it in place of the old one. Before you proceed with the instructions, you need to wait for a couple of minutes for the glue to dry off.
After you put the voice coil and the speaker cone in place, you should also place the speaker’s surround. It is important that you apply some glue on the surround before putting it on, and wait for it to dry off. Then, you need to connect all the required wires and screw mounting screws back on a speaker.
6. Test the Speaker
The best way to make sure that everything is working properly is to test your speaker. You should play some music quietly, and then gradually increase the volume to see if anything changes. Everything should be working properly. If it is not, then you need to call your mechanic and get help from a professional.
Avoid Blowing Your Speakers
It is very important that you avoid turning your volume up for too long in order to protect your speakers. Also, you should regularly check if the speakers’ system is in place. However, if there is a malfunction, there are ways to fix a blown speaker.
In some cases, you will just need to use glue or tape to restore the properties of some parts. In others, you can replace something in a speaker and avoid having to buy a new one.
So, fixing a blown speaker is not difficult. What’s more, you can resolve sound problems and eliminate unpleasant noises by yourself.
RELATED POSTS:
- Bass Blockers: What They Are & Why You Need Them
- Speakers Making Noise When Your Car Is Off?
- Tips for Sound Deadening Car Doors
SHARE ON:
- By CarRoar