I have a 97 honda civic and I just installed some aftermarket front speakers. It was working fine for about a week and now my headunit flashes "protect" whenever the door is closed. When it's open, it's fine. I thought it was a loose ground wire, but I've detached the speaker from the door and was able to play music when the door was open since I haven't run the wires through the door yet. Sure enough, when the door closes, the speaker "shorts" and the headunit flashes "protect". What's the root of the problem (other than not going to a professional) and what should I do?

 

What do you mean you haven't run wires through the door yet? How are they run? Why aren't you using the stock wiring that is already IN the door? You don't have speakers powerful enough in a door that requires upgraded wire.

 

it's technically not the wires but the PINS in the door jam connector. Replace the pin....problem solved.

 

The stock wiring on the driver's side isn't working. I've spliced in the wire that came with the speakers into the harness.

 

I'm guessing that's your problem right there. Check your wiring.

 

I've rechecked the wires and made sure they were ok and they seem to be. In the process of doing this I've noticed a weird crunchy staticky noise whenever I close my door. A few months ago, I got into an accident and a motorcycle driver slammed into me and dented the driver's side fender (I think that's what it's called). I think that pinched the wires going to the door and is what is causing the problems I'm having now. I pulled the dented part back a little and now when I close the door the sound fades out and fades back in as the door is shutting.

This weekend I'm going to take the door off and repair the dent a bit more and maybe replace the pins as NVTurbo suggested. While I'm at it, I'm going to run the speaker wires properly. Is there anything else I should be looking for?

 

dweston, if you're looking for replacement pins (and wires), grab them from a '96-up Civic. Don't get it from the door jam but behind the radio. They are the correct pins plus they aren't rusted at that location.

 

I'm guessing this isn't something I can just pick up at a retail store?

 

NO....like I mentioned above, go to your local PULL-A-PART auto salvage yard and cut the pins (with 5-7" of wire) so you can solder the "new" pins in.

 

im pretty sure its the wiring

 

it is......at the door jam connectors.

 

yupp i had the same problem until i did exactly what you told him to do and my problem was fixed

 

The door jam wire pins are proned to corrosion even though they are covered with electrical protection spray. I had this issue in my old '94 4dr Civic.