Audio Systems: Left Speaker Cutting Out, 2003 mazda 6s, rockford fosgate

Question
Hello,

I have a 2003 Mazda 6s with not factory Bose audio system. I replaced the factory speakers and got Best Buy to installed 4 new pioneer speakers and one amplifier in my trunk to help maximize the performance of the speakers. I kept the factory head unit. However, every time I go over small road bumps, my driver side front speaker cuts off. When I increase the volume, the sound usually comes back. Best buy installed new speakers but this did not solve the problem. I also had my deal check it out and they tried to fix it but that did not work either. I have Rockford fosgate wiring kit and a Sony 600w amp. Sometimes I mess with the amplifier and pull the wire in and out fron the channels and it works until I hit another road bump. I believe that it could be the amp or the wiring kit. Do you think anything else could be the problem, like my factory head unit (which I have replaced the CD player from the dealer twice already) or anything else. Please help me out, this has been happening for about 3 years now. Anything will help, thanks alot.

Answer
IT is clearly an intermittent thing that is caused when a bump vibrates a connection or solder joint causing it to open up on that channel or speaker.  

As you have clearly stated, the problem could be in the speaker itself, but they replaced it and it did not solve the problem.  It could be in the wiring or in the amplifier itself.  And, even, it could be in the head end unit or the cable feeds going from head to power amp.

The only way to find out is to go down through and check out each cable and connection. For the cable, just change them from one channel to another and see if it follows the cable change.  

To determine if it is the amp, switch the left and right input and the left and right output so that the channels are still the same but the right amp is now driving the left speaker and the left amp is driving the right speaker. If the cut out follows to the other side you know it is inside the amplifier.....  and so on.

Using these kinds of tests you should be able to isolate the problem to exactly which component is the cause. If it is the amp you may need to exchange it or get if repaired.

The wiring kit could also be the problem, but if you have seated all the connections tightly and wiggled them it would alter the characteristics if not cure it.

AND: it is possible the new speaker is still a defective speaker.  An open voice coil wire can do exactly what you are describing. It is a chore to get the speaker out, but after you have done the other switcheroos and still no solution, you may have to suspect the replaced speaker.

Let me know if you need more - and let me know if you solve the problem.  It is a nasty one and you seem determined; I am on your side.

Cleggsan