Factory Subwoofer Not Working

[Tyleryac]

I have a factory subwoofer that isn't working. I checked the connections in the head unit, and I pulled the rear panel to check the connections. Everything seems secure.

Could it be blown? Maybe a short?

 

[Number4]

If you know the pin out, you can test for power. Bigger cables will be power and ground.

Could be head unit, amp or speaker. Usually a bad speaker will crackle and make noise.

 

[ROBinGa]

Just curious where is the factory sub woofer speaker located in Explorers?

 

[Tyleryac]

Back interior quarter panel in trunk

 

[Tyleryac]

If you know the pin out, you can test for power. Bigger cables will be power and ground.

Could be head unit, amp or speaker. Usually a bad speaker will crackle and make noise.

I'm not sure how to test that. Tasca has a new subwoofer listed. I am considering ordering the part to test.

 

[Number4]

The stock sub and amp suck. If your spending any money, go get a kicker 8" sub for now.

 

[Number4]

Just curious where is the factory sub woofer speaker located in Explorers?

Passenger rear quarter panel. You'll see the typical cheese cutter design in the trim piece if you have it.

 

[Tyleryac]

The stock sub and amp suck. If your spending any money, go get a kicker 8" sub for now.

If I were to do that, would it go in the factory enclosure? Or would I need something external?

 

[Number4]

Mine fits in the factory enclosure. Now, I didn't install it, the previous owner did through Best Buy.
It has a wooden (pressed board) ring like spacer between it and the box. I'm thinking that the installer added it. So there may be a spacing issue.

I'm running a Kicker DX250.1 with the 8" kicker sub and it makes a major difference to the quality of the sound. I'm not into drawing attention with bass, but it's night and day over the stock.
My 05 is stick and to me it just sounds muffled.

But amp, sub and wiring kit will add up. I'd honestly say if you don't upgrade just leave yours as is.

 

[apenland01]

sub

If you get look on crutchfield, they list which 8" subs will fit with no modification to the box.

I recently replaced my stock 6 disk changer (audiophile system) and the installer didn't use the correct harness, so the amp and sub weren't firing. Once the guy put the correct harness, it woke the subwoofer up big time! More bass than I've ever had out the stock sub. It then needed a resistor to stop popping when I would first start the truck.

It's a tough choice to replace the stock unit, because you have to give up the rear dvd entertainment system, which sucks.

 

[05XLimited]

I have a factory subwoofer that isn't working. I checked the connections in the head unit, and I pulled the rear panel to check the connections. Everything seems secure.

Could it be blown? Maybe a short?

The amplifier that came from 02-10 on the Audiophile systems were prone to failing. When I was looking for my explorer, I test drove 3 that had bad amps, and I have a friend who's amp went out on him.

That said, I replaced my system with a JL Audio slim 8" subwoofer and Rockford Fosgate amp that fix exactly the same as the stock system. 100X better than stock.

Just note if you want to keep your stock 6 disc changer and you replace the sub/amp - you will need to modify your amp power on wire as the stock head unit only sends ~5V. That is why the pop happens when you change the head unit and keep the stock subwoofer.

 

[apenland01]

amp

The amplifier that came from 02-10 on the Audiophile systems were prone to failing. When I was looking for my explorer, I test drove 3 that had bad amps, and I have a friend who's amp went out on him.

That said, I replaced my system with a JL Audio slim 8" subwoofer and Rockford Fosgate amp that fix exactly the same as the stock system. 100X better than stock.

Just note if you want to keep your stock 6 disc changer and you replace the sub/amp - you will need to modify your amp power on wire as the stock head unit only sends ~5V. That is why the pop happens when you change the head unit and keep the stock subwoofer.

Do you know if the amp powers the whole system, or just the subwoofer? I put alpine SPS-517 in all 4 doors and I have to turn the volume way up on the head unit to get the volume I like. The speakers sound great, but certainly need an amp to power them up. It seems the stock amp may just be for the subwoofer.

 

[05XLimited]

Do you know if the amp powers the whole system, or just the subwoofer? I put alpine SPS-517 in all 4 doors and I have to turn the volume way up on the head unit to get the volume I like. The speakers sound great, but certainly need an amp to power them up. It seems the stock amp may just be for the subwoofer.

The amp is just for the subwoofer, as the rest of the speakers are powered by the internal amp of the head unit. The head unit's amp can power very little, as I could not get my Infinity speakers to work with the stock unit. Once I installed an aftermarket head unit, the speakers worked great.

 

[apenland01]

I have a new Pioneer head unit, so I need to probably get an amp for the whole system. The only thing that is stock now is the amp and subwoofer, so it helps to know how they are working together.