03 Solara Sub Woofer Problem - Please help!!

[bstorey8]

Hey Everyone, I'm new here and looking for some help. The subwoofer in my Solara sounds like it's starting to go. Even with the bass setting all the way down (-5), it still rattles. With some songs, I can't even hear the music. I turn the volume down and it still rattles.

This may sound like the dumbest thing ever, but I can't find how to access the subwoofer. Where would it be, and how do I get to to it so I can check it out.

2003 Solara Convertible.

Thank you!

[Pat H]

There are two ways to get to the the subwoofer connector:
1. Remove the trunck felt liner closest to the rear sear via 6 press fasteners (best to use a special tool for this, about $5, but a flat screwdriver or pry bar will work). Then reach in and diconnect the white connector leading to/from the spearker.

Or, if you need to remover the speaker itself,
2. With the top up, go back behind the back seat, and find the fabric cover that the top would rest on when it is down. You need to remove this. There are four black plastic holders that keep it in place. Use a hammer to remove these like you would remove a nail, but do it gently, so you can reuse these pieces.
Once the holders are removed, you can slide the cover down from the back of the back seat. Fold it over on itself, toward the back window, so you can see the frame of the back seat. There you will see a couple of things. First, in the middle, is a black plastic enclosure that holds the woofer. the woofer is actually pointed toward the back seat. So, unless you have skinny arms and want to replace it blindly, you need to take the back seat out. Fortunately, that is fairly easy to do.
When you look at the back of the back seat, you will see four nuts that are screwed on to bolts that point to the rear of the car. Use a wrench and remove the four nuts. The bolts are actually attached to the back seat, so once the nuts are removed, grab the top of the back seat and firmly pull it toward the front of the car. The back of the back seat will come loose and you can put it outside the car.
With the back of the back seat out, you can see where the woofer is. There are four screws holding it in place. Take the screws out, making sure to catch the small metal fasteners that the screws go into. There is also a set of four wires coming out of the speaker that run to a white plastic connection. You will have to disconnect that connection to completely remove the speaker.
The part number of the speaker is on the back of the speaker. you can order it on-line, or check with your dealer. Most don't have it, since it is for an older model. So, order it on-line and when you get it just reverse the steps above.
If you want to use the back seat while you are waiting for the part, make sure you reattach the nuts to the bolts of the back seat back. Otherwise, someone may get hurt.
Good luck


Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you...#ixzz1CcropW2p

[mkulina]

In case any has a similar problem, you can repair a damaged subwoofer yourself.

There is a very simple kit, available from these folks:

http://www.speakerworks.com/9_Inch_M...it_p/swk9m.htm

It's a fairly straight forward process, that takes a few hours (mostly drying time) and allows you to salvage the factory JBL part which is very difficult to match. It works, I just did it to the unit in my 2001 Solara vert this weekend.

Hope this reaches someone who needs a hand up...Mike

[jferry2]

I also repaired the subwoofer in my 2003 convertible using a repair kit. Very happy with the results. (Repairing the sub is not too bad. Maybe even fun. But removing the back seat to get to it is a real pain.)

There's some good videos on youtube for the "how to" of replacing the ripped speaker foam.