Working on stereo...and other tidbits

daveimme · daveimme's Garage

Well, took a few hours fooling with the stereo installation in my car. Found out that the bracket had a kenwood adapter kit in there. My stereo, a Kenwood, though not that same kind, but it did fit snug. When I asked an audio place for a 'kit' for the 944, they said none was available. Anyway, was able to splice some wires and get some music out of it to the front speakers (stock speakers??). Needless to say, they need to be replaced. One question. When I 'insert' the key (yes insert) into the ignition, it is powered on, right then and there. Though that is cool to me, (no acc setting on the car like other cars), is this the way it is supposed to be. I like that where I can listen if I'm parked, but want to be sure this is correct....or I indeed do have some gremlins running around under the hood.

However, the two in the rear never came on, so I don't even know if there are any speakers back there....what do I need to take off to look and see? I have two pars of speakers; one is a Pioneer 6 1/2 inch and the other is Optimus 6x9's....would any of these fit in the rear? I'm hoping with the 1-2 hr window I have this afternoon (after Church and before basketball games) I can open the rear and look.....some assistance would be greatly appreciated if I can be told wha screws to take out and what to leave to remove the panel that holds the rear speakers. Thanks

On another note...I took ny cargo cover (venetian) to a blind repair place and the guy says he knows of no 3/4 inch rollers (what the 944 cargo covers are), but has 1 inch rollers and can replace, BUT that would mean the cover would not be able to rol up completely. I told him to give it a shot, because I most likely will not leave it closed anyway, but really want to cover the rear. We'll see.

Another note (FR WILK)....I did see two drain holes in sunroof, front and rear, on both sides.....I will be pouring some water there and checking to see where they come out. Thanks for the assistance there....

paulc · 12-08-2002, 08:21 AM

1 stereo should only come on when in ACC or ON positions if wired correctly

2 speaker are all 4x6. I upgraded my speakers to higher watt speakers and added bass-blockers so as to not flood the speakers with bass. I powered a separate sub for the bass.

3 to access the rear speakers you really have to remove the rear side windows

4 look on EBAY for your cargo cover roller...I'm pretty sure I've seen them there before

Crippler · 12-08-2002, 08:38 AM

One other thing you might want to do is run all new stereo wires and bypass the factory fader. All the stock wire is pretty much crap. This might even be why your rear speakers are not working

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Paulc,

The 83 944 does not have an ACC position on the ignition switch. The radio comes on when the key is inserted into the ignition switch.

Daveimme,

Yes you can bypass this wiring by grabbing the hot wire from the cig lighter. BUT...you are going to be in crapsville the next time you leave the radio on over night. This is just like not being able to lock the drivers door and shut it. You have to use the key when it's closed. There are reasons for this design.

The rear holes for the side speakers are for the same size as the doors. You can go larger but you have to cut the openings bigger and use a mounting sub frame. The later model 944's have a larger cut out here for larger speakers. I was able to get 6 x 9's into my 83 with some selective cutting -- no sub-frame. In some cases the wires for the speakers have been run by the factory. Check this first before you run your own. Yes you have to take the side windows out. Pull the metal strip first. But put the metal strip back in before you re-install the windows.

Best to buy a radio with the power built in as it's a pain to figure out where to put a power amp and wire it.

PS: There is nothing wrong with the size of the factory wires as long as you don't put an arc welder stereo in the car.

overkill · 12-08-2002, 09:24 AM

Dude, you dont have to remove the rear windows? I got access to my rear speakers without removing the rear windows. All you have to do is run your finger or a rounded tool along the stripping pulling out the inside panel to get access.

daveimme · daveimme's Garage

Remove the window? Fergit it!

Wish the Germans would stick with the powerplants/drivetrain/handling and let the Japs mess with the wiring and cosmetics. That's a real pain in the arse!!

I'm going to consider building a box for speakers in the rear hatch....much simpler....

Thanks, though.....