Audio Systems: Cant hear sound from car speakers., amp unit, amp output

Question
I have 95 Taurus sho that is giving me hell. when i try to play the radio i get nothing but if i turn the radio all the way up i am able to hear just a little bit of sound this car comes with an amp stock and i have bypassed the amp and i have replaced head units left and right with stock or aftermarkert radios have tried all the radios with amp connected or bypassed and same thing happens if i turn the radio all the way up i can hear music from each speaker if i put my ear up close to them. I really need help on this one. Thanks for your time.

Answer
Can't give you a simple solution.

But here is what I would suggest you do - since you sound like  you have had units in and out.

ONE:  Pull the head unit and the amp unit(s) out of the car and bench test them individually, one by one, outside the car. You can do this by running some long leads off the battery to supply 12v directly to the power connections. Hook up a stand-alone speaker to each amp output for checking the system.  You can use a cd or cassette or the radio for signal.  If the head unit does not have speaker power out, then check the amplifier first and verify it is properly driving a speaker; then use it to connect to the head unit.

Now, if the units are working properly outside the car you know the problem is somewhere else; either defective speakers or wiring.

TWO:  Check the wiring from that will be connected to the amp making sure it gets to the speakers you think it is!  If you don't have a VOM you can purchase a good one for $9.83 at Walmart electrical department.  check continuity from amp end to speaker end and to chassis ground to make sure no wires are pinched and causing false grounds.

THREE:  Check each speaker for operation by connecting a dc battery, such as a 1.5V D cell across the terminals. A good speaker will give you a clicking sound when the wires are touched.

Go to www.installdr.com to find the ford wiring charts.  They will help you in the diagnosis of the rascal.

Hope this helps......  Lots of work, but when you get in a bind it is about the only way to know for sure what is going on with the installation job.

C