Stock stereo backlight inop? Which speakers to replace stock?

**Z28** · 11-04-2008

So is the backlighting inoperative on the stereo normal? This has to do with the stereo right? Not the wiring?

I plan on changing it out soon so i just want to make sure my new unit will light up.

Which size of speaker do you guys usually go with in the front? 5 1/4"? Can i pick up a set of components that replace just the front speakers and tweeters without an external amp or crossover? I am sure it should sound ok.

I am pretty sure i have just the regular stereo system in my 1999 GP GT.

Is it worth swapping out the 6x9s? Also how hard is it to replace all the speakers in the grand prix?

**crshoveride** · 11-05-2008

i'm pretty sure it would just be the stereo itself, but you would have to look at the harness to make sure you don't have a broken wire.

as with the front speakers those are just 5 1/4" and the door panel is held on with those damn junk tabs and in the middle if you look behind the door handle on the panel you'll see these two small little cover pop those off and you'll see screws remove those two screws and the door panel comes off rather easily. if you need i can post pics up. there's another thing with the speakers. i know on my car i have the factory tweeters which are wired directly into the factory speaker through a connector. so if you put in the new speaker that already has a tweeter in it you can just yank out the tweeter and be done with the factory one.

the speakers in my rear deck were 6x9's and another small speaker maybe 5 1/4" i'm not sure now to remove them can be fun cause you have to remove the back seat to remove the rear carpet panel without ripping it. the bench comes out easy. if you feel under the seat you'll feel these two small tabs on each side. pull each one slightly then lift on the seat bench itself and the seat should come out. once you have that out you can get the back rest out. at the bottom you'll see four nuts the two on the outisde just hold the seat down and the two on the inside which are larger than the outside ones hold down the seat and hold the seat belt buckles as well. remove all four nuts. then grab the bottom of the backrest and pull it towards you and try to push up on the seat. it might take a little bit of maneuvering to get it out but it'll come out. after you have it out. you'll see the two tabs that hold that carpet deck in pull those out there there are your speakers. once you do the speakers just reassemble in reverse order. let me know if you need pics i'll be happy to post em

**Z28** · 11-05-2008

I don't think i'll need the pics, i got a pretty good idea from your description.

Are the stock tweeters powered separately or what? If so should i replace those tweeters?

**crshoveride** · 11-05-2008

the stock tweeters get their power from the stock speakers. when you pull the stock speaker out you'll see an extra set of wires that run to a connecter mounted on the door(was for me). then you'll see that connector runs another set of wires up to the stock tweeter location. for me whenever i replaced my speakers the ones i got already had a tweeter mounted and i just removed the stock tweeter altogether. it's held in by clips but it's very easy to break them cause it happened to me. oh another thing about the rear speakers. that secondary smaller speaker i mentioned that's where the main audio wire comes in at. so in a way the 6x9 is getting it's power from that other speaker. i invested in those speaker harness adapters that you get at circuit city and that's where the adapter plugs into is that smaller speaker so i just got rid of that one as well. anymore questions just ask.

**Z28** · 11-05-2008

ok thanks

idk which speakers to even go with, i haven't started shopping or looking at reviews yet.

I've had memphis speakers before and they came with adjustable tweeters, which were nice. i thought they sounded good and i know they make a 5 1/4".

I've had blaupunkt sp? and i am not much of a fan of those. Same with pioneer. Not impressed.

I have some Polk's in the Camaro all around. I know they could sound better, they aren't bad at all, and they don't tire my ears out when listening. I just remember the Memphis speakers sounded good.

I better start reading reviews.

One more question? Are the rear speakers worth replacing, I might just hold off on replacing those for a while. I think changing the fronts and find a receiver that can do 18 watts RMS should be enough and sound pretty decent.

I was reading the how tos and i guess some people are making custom enclosures to fit bigger speakers. I don't really have the tools for that, but I might look into it.

**Z28** · 11-06-2008

OK so i honestly haven't had a "NICE" system.

Can I have a good sounding system with a 2-way or 3-way speaker? Or should I up it to a woofer with a separate tweeter to replace the stock one.

I don't think i want to mess with components that come with crossovers.

**crshoveride** · 11-06-2008

no problem again glad to help out. you could probably hold off on replacing the rears for now they're not that bad of a speaker. i just decided to go ahead and replace them. i've never been impressed with blankpunt or pioneer either. my taurus that i had i threw in jl 2 ways forgot the model but they sounded good. in my grand prix i have alpine type s 2-way on all 4 speakers and for the money they're a decent one to start off with imo, but i want to get some more jl's when i save some more money up and as far as what brand to get it all comes down to personal preferance. if you're not gonna be running a your commponent speakers of and extra amp i wouldn't bother with getting a 3-way setup just yet. a 2-way would probably do you just fine.

as far as head units go again it all comes down to personal preference. i've had pioneer, panasonic and now i have alpine and i like my alpine the best.

yea there are people who have done custom enclosures to fit 6.5's up front, but if you can't do that you can always buy a kick panel enclosure that will fit a 6.5, but that would involve rerouting the speaker wire from in the door.

**Z28** · 11-10-2008

Well I am pretty sure I'll just get 2 2-ways up front for now. I still have to decide on which speakers, but i think i found my head unit.

DXZ585USB from Clarion.

I'll be hard pressed to find another one like this for the money.

Clarion DXZ585USB CD Players,MP3 CD Player
Clarion DXZ785USB CD Players,MP3 CD Player

Sure I could find one that looks better, but I've never heard of someone not liking a Clarion head unit. I have had Pioneers, Kenwoods, Alpines, Panasonics, so now it's Clarions turn.

**crshoveride** · 11-10-2008

yea not the best looking one but it does have a nice set of features with it. i might have to give them a shot with my next radio

**Z28** · 11-19-2008

So i need a Torx T-30 for the front speaker removal...talk about dumb, what's wrong with using a phillips screw GM!? ha ha

Need anything special to remove the dash and getting to the stereo?

Do you guys usually use a factory harness adapter thingy for the speakers, or should i just cut the wire and solder it or use a female connector on it.

If you use the harness adapter, is there a place to get them online for cheap or should i just find em at wal-mart or something. I suppose those won't be there, but i still need the head unit harness and mounting bracket. If i can get this all online for cheap, please recommend me a site. I think crutchfield might have em.

**crshoveride** · 11-21-2008

mine i didn't have to use T-30 tip. i was able to use a socket forgot what size. the speaker harness adapter provided a good enough connection for me and on top of that i wouldn't know which wire is positive and which one isn't. you can get those speaker harness adapters at circuit city. they come in pairs and they're bout 7 bucks a pair. you can also get them at best buy if they happen to have them in stock

**Z28** · 11-21-2008

Originally Posted by crshoveride

mine i didn't have to use T-30 tip. i was able to use a socket forgot what size. the speaker harness adapter provided a good enough connection for me and on top of that i wouldn't know which wire is positive and which one isn't. you can get those speaker harness adapters at circuit city. they come in pairs and they're bout 7 bucks a pair. you can also get them at best buy if they happen to have them in stock

I remember you saying circuit city in a previous post, but we have none around here, that's why i was wondering about online stores, but no one wants to chime in.

**crshoveride** · 11-22-2008

you can order them off of crutchfield. maybe even circuit city's website and best buy to boot.

**Z28** · 12-01-2008

Well the speakers are in and the head unit is kind of in. I still gotta work on that. The wire bundle made it a tough fit. I will have to redo it. I think there is a piece behind it that helps support the stock unit. I need to cut it out or something to make room for all the wires. I hate mounting kits with a passion, idk why they are so dang difficult to make fit.

The speakers literally took me half an hour and everything else was cake, but it took me like over an hour trying to get the stupid mounting kit to work, looks like ass right now.

**Burbman** · 12-02-2008

FYI, there is a bulb in the OEM head unit that provides backlighting and it is replaceable. I paid about $15 for the bulb at Corvette Radios, I see they're $20 now, but it's not hard to change.

**Z28** · 12-02-2008

DXZ775USB from Clarion is installed finally. Along with some 5.25 Infinity Kappas 52.9i's. The stereo sounds amazingly crystal clear. I have had a couple different stereos systems and nothing compares to this so far. I spent over half an hour out in the cold just listening to the mp3s i had loaded on my flash drive. However, the rear right speaker is blown on top of that and the left one appears to be lightning audio.

. Since the front 2 speakers from infinity are 2 ohm they drown out the rear speakers. Still sounds awesome, but i am gonna have to replace the rear 6x9s. Somehow it's going to sound even better.

Originally Posted by Burbman

FYI, there is a bulb in the OEM head unit that provides backlighting and it is replaceable. I paid about $15 for the bulb at Corvette Radios, I see they're $20 now, but it's not hard to change.

I got the stereo pulled apart, just not sure how to remove that bulb...looks weird and my hands are big. Does it just pull out or do you have to turn it or something?

If anyone knows the actual bulb number i am sure i can find it cheaper than 23 dollars. I wanna replace it and sell the stock stereo on ebay.

**Burbman** · 12-03-2008

I forget now if it was a pull or a turn to remove the bulb on my '01....My experience was that the bulb was hard to find, it's not a standard auto bulb where you get the number and run up to Auto Zone. The Corvette Radios site was the only place I found that had them, I think he knows it too and that's why he charges what he does.

**pski920** · 12-04-2008

the bulbs for the radio backlight do go bad, you might want to check that. just take the radio out and the front face of the radio unclips (be careful not to break a clip) and you'll see the bulb attached to a circuit board. grab them with a pair of needle nose and twist left (qtr turn) and it comes right out. i'm in the process of looking for a bulb and when i find one i'll let you know.

**pski920** · 12-04-2008

here's the bulb and directions on how to take it out. i ruined my bulb taking it out. they're 20 bucks each on this web site (maybe find one cheaper at junkyard). good luck.

http://www.corvetteradios.com/home/bu6.jpg

Thread: Stock stereo backlight inop? Which speakers to replace stock?

Thread Tools

Display

Similar Threads

I thought the Monsoon Stereo was supposed to have 9 speakers?

stock amp

want to replace factory speakers in my 2008 GP, have question

stock stereo

Bookmarks