[cbh123]

My Left door speaker cuts off and on every minute or so while driving.
If I tap the radio - nothing,
sub box - nothing,
But usually when I tap the door, the speaker comes back on.

I know that on my other car (VW) with proper diagnostic software (VCDS) an open circuit in a speaker is logged as a fault.

I have the ED at the dealer and they are giving me the run around... "works fine in the shop"

I'm getting frustrated - doesn't this 2014 car have any diagnostics? Shouldn't it log a fault ?

If anyone has experience with MB software, please give me some intelligent things to ask the dealer to do!

Bruce

 

[davidp]

must be a loose speaker connector .. is the car still under warranty? if yes ask them to fix it

 

[NCC1701]

I'm getting frustrated - doesn't this 2014 car have any diagnostics? Shouldn't it log a fault ?

I sincerely doubt diagnostics would show a loose speaker connection, which is the likely problem. Might also be a bad connection at the HU's harness connection, fix might be as simple as re-seating. Either way, the ship's computer wouldn't be expected to be involved.

 

[SuperSmartie]

This is a common problem. I had it in both sides in mine since it was new, MB replaced the speakers once with no change, and the loaner I drove while they did that had the same problem!

I suspected bad crimps in the speaker connectors, so I cut them off and soldered the wires directly to the speakers - Problem solved.

 

[cbh123]

I appreciate the replies, but the "loose connection " at speaker or radio is kinda like stating the obvious. Could be a defective speaker too.
Yes the car has warranty,
Yes it is at the dealer,
And yes I've asked them to fix it. (Duh)

My post here is asking for help about the diagnostic tools available.

To repeat, my VW is able to recognize all 12 of its speakers as "shorted" or "open circuit" and logs a fault if it happens.
It also keeps a log of the mileage, date and time when the fault occurs.

The dealer is giving me the run-around saying it works in the shop.

If I knew the capabilities of the diagnostic software, I could help steer them.

I am suspicious they have not even hooked up the scan computer, because the speaker works when they pulled the car into the shop.

 

[cbh123]

This is a common problem. I had it in both sides in mine since it was new, MB replaced the speakers once with no change, and the loaner I drove while they did that had the same problem!

I suspected bad crimps in the speaker connectors, so I cut them off and soldered the wires directly to the speakers - Problem solved.

Oh this is helpful.... thanks

 

[cbh123]

Just from the dealer this morning - I asked if they could send the car home with a tech...

"The technician did just come in and mentioned that the sound did not cut out at all on his ride home (he lives just outside of the city) or this morning on the ride in.

At this time there is nothing we can go on in terms of getting repairs completed via warranty."

So since they are refusing to help, is there a write up on getting at the speaker? - I think I read the outer door skin comes off.

 

[SuperSmartie]

Follow evilutions instructions for replacing the speakers (short of actually replacing them). Yes, you have to get at them from the outside, and it's a bit tricky, but doable without special tools. Don't cut the door liner - you can just pull it back from the corner to expose the wiring.

In defense of the smartcenter: intermittent problems are notoriously hard to diagnose. As the old saying goes "if it ain't broke, you can't fix it". I.e. unless the problem happens while the technician is looking at it, and stays long enough for him to follow basic troubleshooting, he'll never find the cause. And since troubleshooting involves taking the door apart, which will rattle the intermittent connection enough to make the problem go away, there is no chance for them to ever find it.

I didn't really find the cause of the problem either. Just did the soldering on suspicion, and a couple years of intermittance-free driving are the proof that it worked.

 

[cbh123]

Thanks


My problem is very consistent... there has not been a 5 minute trip that does not have the problem for 6 months now.


it probably does not happen at higher volume, - I think delicate connections seem to work better with more current... I asked them to listen to CBC radio (preset 1) at normal volumes -maybe I need to get more specific.. (it happens on all media/stations - but I don't listen to other stuff often.... so I cant say how much the actual content changes the intermittent behaviour) the tech probably blasted RAP music all the way home - LOL


I am 99% certain that it will happen to me on the way home from the MB dealer...
they have at least told me that if I capture the problem on a video (cell phone laws bedamned??) they will investigate further.


It is certainly not easy to diagnose intermittent issues.. but that is NO REASON to not try. I mean this is a MB dealer -


what would happen with a fat cat in an S-CLass that has this issue... I suspect they would dig into it.


also, with some very delicate wiggling of the offending connector (if that turns out to be my case) I am sure I could recreate the issue.


troubleshooting is skill, and the first step is understanding that intermittent things DO HAPPEN!


I don't accept their refusal to even look... its not like I invented this issue.. I for sure have better things to do with my time.

 

[OliverB]

Driver door speaker started doing that periodically on my leased '13. Didn't do anything because it didn't occur that often. The frequency of yours would be very annoying.

 

[Jo e Lefors]

Just a simple suggestion, if you have a "smart" phone either record or video the occurrence and it should show the frequency of it happening. Better yet if someone can ride with you and do the videoing better yet. Then you can play it back for the tech. That may give them a better idea of what and when it happens.
Just a thought.

Good luck and take care.

JL

 

[Niteshooter]

Hmm you said, 'at high volumes'. Two things come to mind, some form of thermal cut off being tripped at the amplifier or as others have mentioned a bad connector. I almost want to say, blown speaker though typically they tend to rattle or sound distorted though I have had one case where the wire in the speaker had detached from the cone and tapping it put it back in contact and the thing worked until it hit the right volume where it would dislodge. The wires I am talking about are epoxied to the speaker cone just beside the centre cap.

So a couple of questions before you pull the door apart. Do you like to play your music loud often? Do you find that the stock speakers are lacking? If yes to either or both questions it might make more sense to replace the speakers with a higher quality (read higher power handling) aftermarket speaker. Granted if you go down that path you might then start to think that the rest of the speakers are also lacking....

Speaker replacement is a simple job once you have the door panel off, and since the easiest fix is to soldier the wiring to the speaker instead of trying to re-crimp the connectors it might be just as well to have the speakers replaced. If you aren't inclined to do this yourself then if you can get a car stereo shop to do it but at that point you might just as well replace the speakers since labour would likely be about the same cost.

 

[cbh123]

not sure that reading is everyone's strongest asset here - hahah ------ I said it does NOT happen at high volume ....

Now, I just picked up the car... and of course by the time I got home it was happening again...

I managed to (video) record it on my phone and have forwarded it to the service advisor. It is pretty clear evidence - you can hear the tweeter only, then watch me gently tap the door speaker grill, and it bursts to life !

more to follow...

 

[kheran]

Could be a bad speaker.....The stock ones aren't the best quality out there in the world.

 

[stevenjb]

My 2012 drivers door speaker cuts in and out also, I would guess it is the type or method of attaching the wires to the speakers.

 

[Niteshooter]

not sure that reading is everyone's strongest asset here - hahah ------ I said it does NOT happen at high volume ....

Now, I just picked up the car... and of course by the time I got home it was happening again...

I managed to (video) record it on my phone and have forwarded it to the service advisor. It is pretty clear evidence - you can hear the tweeter only, then watch me gently tap the door speaker grill, and it bursts to life !

more to follow...

>it probably does not happen at higher volume, - I think delicate connections seem to work better with more current... I asked them to listen to CBC radio (preset 1) at normal volumes -maybe I need to get more specific.. (it happens on all media/stations - but I don't listen to other stuff often.... so I cant say how much the actual content changes the intermittent behaviour) the tech probably blasted RAP music all the way home - LOL >

Yeah ok, so it was worded in a rather cumbersome way and yeah I mis-read like it WAS happening at higher volumes. Glad that it doesn't as you are likely cooking your hearing eh....

Anyhow good luck with your problem.

 

[kheran]

I'm still maintaining the idea the the speaker itself is bad......

 

[cornwallav8r]

Dunno if I already responded to this one, so here goes. I put myself through college as an EE, partially as a tech in an electronics repair shop. I must have installed a gazillion car stereos as well. These speakers typically have push on connectors, they're usually the smaller size ones as well, and prone to bad connections. I used to ALWAYS solder all the speaker connections for that very reason. Just pull the panel and solder the connections, after confirming. While you are there, might as well put a set of upgraded 60w-80w better performing speakers in there anyway. The stock speakers are the suckiest part of the car. Door panel is pretty easy to remove, you remove the mirror inside trim, then the mirror, then I think one door panel corner screw, and the panel sorta slides/pries off. after you've done it once, you're an expert ;-)

P.S. the reason it doesn't happen at high volume is because the output voltage is higher, at high volume and it forces the electrical connection easier.

 

[cbh123]

thanks for a proper reply...


seems like having warranty is a curse instead of a help....


they still have not fixed it... I guess I should just take care of it myself.


I also have installed a gazillion stereos, I worked 6 years as an installer during engineering school and so on.


I was hoping to get something for nothing (warranty repair) but so far ... I have nothing for a pain in the butt

 

[jimvw57]

Plenty of videos on youtube .com about removing the outer panel to get to the speakers, I would also agree with picking up a better quality set of speakers as most of the time the factory ones are not the best quality unless you have an upgraded system.

I agree that it sounds like a connector problem at the speaker.