How to fix your dead MSP subwoofer

[servoeyes]

Good write-up, but chances are the sub will die in one of many other inconvenient ways like mine did:

1) voice coil to spider connection went
2) cone disconnected from the surround

After that I'd had enough and upgraded...actually, it's a much better option. That stock sub is ass...just go over to the car audio section here and see pimpprotege's elemental 8a in a tiny freakin box and read his comments on its performance.

 

[jflo]

well...i just tried this. started @ around 11:50PM and here i am now @ 12:58am. there was a wire disconnected. so i connected it and surprise ! still no bass...guess that means my sub got ****** in the ass coil...the thing that scared me the most tho was when i reconnected my battery terminals, my engine wouldn't turn over. everything was on, except the engine wouldn't start. i got so scared i thought i burned a fuse, but when i came back from checking this thread, it started...

 

[Dexter]

well...i just tried this. started @ around 11:50PM and here i am now @ 12:58am. there was a wire disconnected. so i connected it and surprise ! still no bass...guess that means my sub got ****** in the ass coil...the thing that scared me the most tho was when i reconnected my battery terminals, my engine wouldn't turn over. everything was on, except the engine wouldn't start. i got so scared i thought i burned a fuse, but when i came back from checking this thread, it started...

when its connected, are you sure the NF output is on?

 

[jflo]

yeah...i turned it on and off and on and off and on and off....i turned up the volume to 30...hmm maybe it's the gains thing on the amp i think ****** around w/ it before i tried to fix the sub. i'll check it tomorrow...i'm so tired from crawling around in my trunk.

 

[TooleBox]

pmpkinhead: yeah... the sub is screwed in...

jflo: interesting that you did have a wire disconnected reconnectedx it and still nothing... like you said, somethin may be off from your other attempts at fixing it... Or you may have one of the other issues with the voice coil... if so, i cant offer any help.

sorry!

 

[jflo]

looks like it's time for the JL 8w3v2d2

 

[TooleBox]

troo dat.. will that sub work in the stock enclosure w/ the stock amp?

 

[SP33D]

those holes for the 6x9's in the back deck are useless... they don't even work as a good port, i dynamatted the entire rear deck.

 

[OrangeMSP]

why use connectors when you can solder=)

 

[TooleBox]

soldering is coming this friday... it just died again today!

this is getting old... and it's gettin old quick

 

[jflo]

troo dat.. will that sub work in the stock enclosure w/ the stock amp?

1st mp3 in nh said in a thread in the car audio forum that this sub would fit and would be a perfect match for the amp. hopefully some guy that works at fry's can get me the hook up real soon 'cause i hate driving my MSP w/o the sub expecting it to be bumpin'

 

[TooleBox]

yeah... im back to "no sub" status again... mine just went out again today!!!!

im gonna have to get back in there and see wtf happened

 

[jflo]

i really hate this. my sub has been out since mid december

 

[1sty]

SOmething to keep in mind. If you use a DMM you will read an infanite number when measureing the sub if this is the issue. Also becuase it has been improperly termed in the past, this is NOT a tinsel lead issue. This is a bad spade connector issue. If you are going to replace this, simple use a pair of pliers orsomething to crush the spade shut to get it to hang on better. Or once the factory crimp end is back on, use some soilder to keep that little bastard in place.

 

[1sty]

yeah... im back to "no sub" status again... mine just went out again today!!!!

im gonna have to get back in there and see wtf happened

Do you have Digital multi Meter?

 

[TooleBox]

nah... i dont man. im electronically retarted... i can do an engine swap no prob... but im just plain stupid when it comes to audio

 

[1sty]

Mine sounds really weak and only has half the bass from when I purchased the car a month ago. Could this be the issue, or can a loose RCA connection be causing my issue? I will probably replace the sub regardless with a JL 8" W3v2. The mounting depths are different between the W0 and W3v2 so I will have to double check that detail. The W0 is around 4" and the W3v2 is 4.3".

The W3 or W0 will fit.
play the system and then go to the trunk and see if you can feel the sub moving.

Several things can cause what your getting.

 

[1sty]

muohio, you probably have no bass coming from the stock sub... you're most likely just hearing the bass coming from the rear deck speakers...

There are no rear deck speakers in an MSP.

 

[1sty]

so were the stock ones not strong enough to hold the sub??? ill pick up some new connectors at radio shack and see what happens.....if it doesnt workout...hell....time for a upgrade

They were just to loose. When installing I use my flush cuts to all but totaly collapes the connector to be sure they grip. it makes them a ROYAL b**** to get on, but they never come off.

 

[TooleBox]

yeah man... we determined that last night... another thing to point out how retarted i am w/ this stuff... i thought there were speakers under those grills on the rear deck...

anyways... im off to bed. will pop back into this tomorrow evening