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Speaker wires shorting out: over 400$ just to diagnose?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by priusma, Dec 22, 2014.

  1. priusma

    priusma Junior Member

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    My speaker wires started shorting out, crackling, even slight smell of burnt wire. I brought the car in today and they said they have to pull the dash out to get a dx, to the tune of starting around $400. I asked if they could just cut the speaker wires as the car has a gazillion miles on it and I don't want to toss money into the speakers if I don't have to.

    Anyone dealt with anything like this?
     
    #1 priusma, Dec 22, 2014
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    my only suggestion would be another dealer, a local mechanic or a stereo shoppe. it might be easier to pull the h/u and cut the speakers there.
     
    #2 bisco, Dec 22, 2014
  3. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

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    It all depends on where the short is and where the speakers are. if you remove the speakers you may not solve the short. If you find the short, just repair. Keep radio Off and pull fuse until/ before repair.They say pulling the dash is not such a big deal. It sounds like the dealer never actually found the short, so he's guessing. A good way to start is to study under the dash, good. From the floor.
     
    #3 Andyprius1, Dec 22, 2014
  4. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    a common problem with many cars is the wires break at the door hinge. I would try to determine which speakers are crackling. if its just 1, good chance its by the hinges where the wires go into the door. if its all the speakers then likely it is in the dash. the prius dash is fairly easy to r&r; I would take it apart myself with a mechanically inclined friend helping and inspect the wiring.
     
    #4 69shovlhed, Dec 22, 2014
  5. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

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    Speaker wires usually don't carry enough current to cause burning smells even if they are dead-shorted.

    No doubt there is some kind of electrical problem but it might NOT be in the wires to the speakers.
    Could even be inside the head unit itself.
     
    #5 Easy Rider 2, Dec 23, 2014
    Yakoma likes this.
  6. Yakoma

    Yakoma Active Member

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    +1
     
    #6 Yakoma, Dec 23, 2014
  7. priusma

    priusma Junior Member

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    Finally got my car back last night. NO CHARGE! As in I didn't pay a cent. Toyota guy said when the mechanic began tearing it apart the sound was crackling, then it quit. It seems, if I am reading the message under the words, that they were too overwhelmed with holiday repairs to go into this further at this time. He invited me to bring it back on Friday, but said it won't blow up, catch on fire, is safe to drive. So, back to square one.
     
    #7 priusma, Dec 24, 2014
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no more crackling? maybe an early Christmas present?
     
    #8 bisco, Dec 24, 2014
  9. 3prongpaul

    3prongpaul Hybrid Shop Owner, worked on 100's of Prius's

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    if your Prius does not have JBL, it's a pretty simple system. Vey easy to pull the head unit, suggest going to an independent car stereo shop vs dealer. In fact, you could pull the head unit and replace with aftermarket radio and get bluetooth, smartphone compatibility, USB port etc for a lot less than $400.
     
    #9 3prongpaul, Dec 24, 2014
  10. priusma

    priusma Junior Member

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    Mech said they tested the ground wire (s) and didn't find anything wrong there either.
    I betcha the crackling will show up again.

    Good tip 3 PP!

    I think I do have JBL, but wouldn't mind a new system anyway bc the cd drive has been stuck for about a year-
    leaving me with my CASSETTES! No one can believe my 2005 Prius has a cassette player. A match made in
    heaven for sure.

    After the holiday, if the crackling continues, I'll suss out a stereo shop around here.

    Thanks folks!
     
    #10 priusma, Dec 24, 2014
  11. 3prongpaul

    3prongpaul Hybrid Shop Owner, worked on 100's of Prius's

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    it's a little more complicated with JBL since the amp is separate but a decent stereo shop will know how to make it work.
     
    #11 3prongpaul, Dec 24, 2014
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