Car Stereos: windows left cracked during storm and now car stereo does not work, 1995 volvo 960, audio playback

Question
i have a 1995 volvo 960 and i left my windows cracked by accident during storm, and now car stereo does not work. at the highest volume the stereo goes you can hear some audio playback but it is still horrible. im not a big car guy so i am unsure what the problem could be, but its obvious at least one of the speakers experienced water damage. could this really short out and effect the performance of the whole stereo system? any ideas?

Answer
Hi Mike,

Sadly, shorting a speaker can take an entire stereo with it -- especially ones that don't have overload protection.

The system is pumping electricity out the positive lead, and expecting the speaker to take the load and cause a voltage drop coming back on the negative.  Instead, they're shorted, so full power comes back on the negative, and fries things.

The good news is, presuming the door has dried out, you (probably) will be able to still use the speaker.  You can buy an aftermarket deck and get it installed for not very much money.

Justin