Left front speaker audio went out

[HawkeSHR]

Any troubleshooting tips that will help me solve why the left front speaker just wen out on me would be appreciated.

Turned on the radio and volume was at 2 bars and the speaker just stopped working.

Thanks in advance!

Respects,
Steve

[the2knights]

Since it is only the left front, and not both left side speakers the first place I would check would be the connection at the speaker itself. You can not get the speaker out without removing the outer fairing (not as hard as it sounds), but you should be able to check the connection if you remove the turn signal. Could be the speaker itself as well, and if you have not upgraded speakers this might be a good reason to go ahead and do that!

[HawkeSHR]

Thanks for providing those steps, much appreciated. I will also look thru the service manual as well. I don't want to mess up the plastics, etc.

~Steve

[HawkeSHR]

Update: with the information suggested here and I also researched in the Audio System Troubleshooting manual I localized the problem to a 3 amp glass inline fuse near the radio unit (behind the headlight)... it was blown. Replaced and speaker worked but then went out (fuse #2 own). I tried another and it is still working so far... (possibly a couple of bad fuses or intermittent current spike from the amplifier.)

That's where it is at the moment.

[doug of so fla]

Where the fuse went out on the back of the radio, check and make sure, where the fuse wire enters the radio that it is not worn thru there, shorting against the radio. Common problem on the XII radio.

[suzib6sw]

Ok...
The fuse blowing will do do one of two things..
If the 3 amp is in the fatter fuse holder, it will remove power from the entire radio, no lights, no sound but the clock wilk keep displaying.
If the fuse in the thinner fuse holder is blown, this will prevent the radio remembering the time and the presets.. This fuse should be a 1 amp fuse.

Neither fuse will cause just one speaker to fail.
the Power amp under the cruise control actuator (Post 86 models) is protected by its own 7.5 amp red blade type fuse . the ONLY problems I have ever seen on these is one with water damage internally and more typically cold solder joints causing ... wait for it.. the speaker(s) on one side of the bike or both to become intermittent, especially when you hit a bump.
If its just ONE speaker in a 4 speaker setup (Post '86) then you have a problem with the speaker or the wiring to or from the fader or the actual fader (by your left knee)
If its both speakers on one side, its probably the power amp.
Fuses blowing are typically caused by bad connections in the fuse holders or broken wires in the radios power harness about 1/2" from either end of the fuse holder, chaffed wires or rodent damage, OR screws from the front panel or tape door flap floating about inside the radio and having gotten themselves wedged under the circuit boards..
I have recently seen a radio that blew fused due to a bad soldering repair at the power connector. Was find until the wires were moved and shorted and blew the acc fuse..

Hope that helps and give me a call if I can be of further help..

Cheers
Pete

[HawkeSHR]

Ok...
The fuse blowing will do do one of two things..
If the 3 amp is in the fatter fuse holder, it will remove power from the entire radio, no lights, no sound but the clock wilk keep displaying.
If the fuse in the thinner fuse holder is blown, this will prevent the radio remembering the time and the presets.. This fuse should be a 1 amp fuse.

Neither fuse will cause just one speaker to fail.
the Power amp under the cruise control actuator (Post 86 models) is protected by its own 7.5 amp red blade type fuse . the ONLY problems I have ever seen on these is one with water damage internally and more typically cold solder joints causing ... wait for it.. the speaker(s) on one side of the bike or both to become intermittent, especially when you hit a bump.
If its just ONE speaker in a 4 speaker setup (Post '86) then you have a problem with the speaker or the wiring to or from the fader or the actual fader (by your left knee)
If its both speakers on one side, its probably the power amp.
Fuses blowing are typically caused by bad connections in the fuse holders or broken wires in the radios power harness about 1/2" from either end of the fuse holder, chaffed wires or rodent damage, OR screws from the front panel or tape door flap floating about inside the radio and having gotten themselves wedged under the circuit boards..
I have recently seen a radio that blew fused due to a bad soldering repair at the power connector. Was find until the wires were moved and shorted and blew the acc fuse..

Hope that helps and give me a call if I can be of further help..

Cheers
Pete

Well , I will check out the speaker issue this afternnon/evening. I'm re-installing the radio you fixed (THANKS! ) and the amp. If the left - front speaker is still out I will check the fader. The speaker wires show continuity (for both front speakers) .

[HawkeSHR]

Quick follow up on this issue:
The speaker going out ended up being cold solder joints in the amp. When I had the radio in for refurb and upgrade Peter recommended I send the amp also. Once I received the radio and amp back, I have not had a problem since.

I definitely recommend the radio upgrade and it is a good step to also have the amp looked at. ~ thanks to Pete.