Bose radio ?

[CharlesBrown]

There have been many threads on this issue. Yet, none seem to fit my situation. First, the two door speakers... One is DOA, the second critical i.e., it'll play but only with front balance @ full. The two in back are fine, i.e., normal. Now, I've pulled both front speakers which seem to be in good condition. No tears or warpage, and no sign of any amps. Then there are thoes that say there is a single "master" amp some where under the dash (location please). If true, this puppy must be a multi-chanel output else how can the two in back work and the ones in front not? Any thoughts on a fix would be appreciated.

Plan B, Could be to junk the whole thing and replace. Question here is would this solution allow one to use the existing head-to-speaker wires or would all new ones be required?

 

[WhalePirot]

I only have manuals for the '87 and '90. In '87, the amps were still integral to each speaker, with a relay controlling the On/Off. There are articles about replacing capacitors in those amps, which has been a problem area; sorry, I don't have a link.

Some have used the factory wires with aftermarket setups. Others replaced them with larger, as they flow the higher current with less loss. I used the factory wires with the Clarion head unit and two pre-amps, to feed my stock Bose, but now am going totally non-Bose, with new wires.

 

[lagasvd]

Bose Stereo

I have an 86 convertable that had the Bose system in in with amplifiers for each speaker. It wasn't doing well. I debated about getting it fixed or replacing it with an aftermarket. After considerable debate, the cost was going to be about the same ($500) but what persueded me was the technology. Todays systems have 20 years of technological advancement over the original stereos. A decent aftermarket today will outplay top of the line Bose system from 20 years ago. Also I could upgrade to a CD player vice cassette. I found a decent 1.5 DIN Pioneer stereo that bolted right in, used an aftermarket wire harness that worked perfectly, put new stereo wiring in (left the old Bose wiring intact in case someone else or I wanted to replace the old Bose system back in), 4" round speakers perfectly replaced the door speakers with no mods, and 6 by 9 speakers bolted right in the rear with no mods. Taking my time, it took about 4 hours to remove the old Bose system and replace it with the updated system. I'm glad now since the system sounds great (good as it can get at 75 mph with the top down) any problems would be easily fixed and I got upgrated to a CD player. It looks "factory" good.

 

[Ken Anderson]

Unless you removed the complete front enclosure in the door(the black box the speaker is mounted in) you do not have access to the amps. Each speaker has its own amp and your 2 front ones need to be repaired due to moisture intrusion.

 

[Key West Jack]

Here is an amp fix write up from another board:

http://www.corvetteforum.com/techtips/viewsubtopic.php?SubTopicID=58&TopicID=2

 

[topless82vette]

I just dealt with my buddies 1990 vette and no speakers worked at all on it. I had front and rear bose speakers and amps from a 1987 camaro. Plugged them into this car and everything works fine on the car now. wasn't and wiring splicing or anything. Best of all got this stuff for 45 bucks.