Audio Systems: Car Stereo Speakers, car stereo speakers, rear speakers

Question
I bought a Jensen CD car stereo (Model CD2620SE) to replace the factory unit in my '94 Accord.  I had no  problem installing the unit by using a Jensen installation kit which provided the correct factory style wiring harness.  All connections were made with bullet style connectors.  Rear speakers work fine, but fronts were shot (torn cones).  Have not replaced them yet, but I did take them out of the car and left the connectors hanging.  The radio worked perfectly for about a month, and then the other day the speakers started cutting out.  It's almost like a gradual reduction in volume and then it just goes out completely.  I know the radio is still producing sound because the indicator lights  are still flashing on the faceplate.  Now, I can hear sound for a minute or so when I first turn the radio on and then it cuts out -- regardless of whether the car's moving or not.  As I drive, I do hear an occasional blip from the speakers but it's nver more than a second or two. I pulled the unit and double checked all of the connections, including the speaker connections in the trunk and it all looks good.  I did find that the connector for one of the front speakers (remember they're not connected) was wet from laying inside the door (we've had a ton of rain here lately and it seems that there's water pooling in the doors -- typical Honda, runs forever but rots from the inside out !) If the front speaker connectors are wet, could that be causing my problem ?  Or is it possibly a ground problem ?  Something else ?  Anyway, the ride to work really sucks right now without any tunes, so any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks !

Answer
Dave,
Most newer stereos have high powered outputs. if any speaker wire shorts to ground, the amp will be damaged for that channel. To test the amp/s use a volt meter and measure the DC voltage on the rear speaker wires. Place one meter to the cars ground/chassis and the other lead on one speaker connection. A high powered stereo will have 6-8 volts DC on the speaker wires, if checking the front wires you should measure about the same voltage as the rear. if you measure 3-4 volts or less the amp for that channel is defective.

TOM,
T&D ELECTRONICS
tdeser@zoominternet.net