Audio Systems: 2005 Impala speakers, loud thump, rear speakers

Question
QUESTION: I believe I recently ruined the factory amp, but I'm not sure. First of all, I have an amp/sub installed. The amp has high level inputs spliced from the rear speakers. I got the idea that since the amp had an extra speaker output, I would see if it was possible to drive the rear speakers with the amp. So I disconnected the harness to the speaker and I think I touched the wires to the wrong sides (oops). So of course I heard this loud thump above my head and removed the wires really quick. I guess I should have at least turned off the radio before I did this. Well, now there is no sound coming from the speakers even though the radio display is still on. So if I'm right and the amp is toast, I need to know a couple of things. I would like to know the specs for the stock amp (# of channels, wattage) because I am having a hard time finding them and I'm considering getting a different one. Thank you in advance!

ANSWER: First, do a reset of the amp in the car now.  Pull the 12v wires from it for a few minutes and try it again.  

I do not know what amp is in the car; there were several systems available for that year and it depends on which oem system was in the car when new.

But, you can easily tell by physically looking at the amplifier and checking the output connections.

This page may be helpful in chasing down the wiring complex for your 05 Impala:

http://www.modifiedlife.com/2005-chevrolet-impala-car-stereo-radio-wiring-diagra



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: OK, so after removing the back seat and the trim panel, I find that there is no amp. I'm confused as to where to go from here

Answer
You may not have an external amp.  Or, it may be mounted up under the dash or under the passenger seat, etc.

Here are some thoughts for you to pursue:

ONE:  Go to crutchfield.com and walk through the "outfit my car" options and it will tell you what is in the car originally and what new stuff will work in it. (It will ask you a series of questions that will lead you to the right stuff).

TWO:  If you have a VOM and know how to use it you can check for continuity from the wiring out of the oem radio to the speakers.

THREE: If you find there is no amp you will either need a new head unit or repair the one that is in the car now.

FOUR:  If you know how you can pull the existing head unit out and "bench" test it.  To do this you will need some leads to power it from the battery and connect one or two known good speakers to the output. Once you know whether the unit is good or bad you can decide what to do.

Hope this helps.