Dashboard Speakers

[jdmini]

Evening all,
i've been trying to install a couple of speakers in the maestro today...i've done the passenger side, but i'm having troubles with the drivers side and the dash in paticular..

i got the speaker grille out in the end...but it seems i need to pull the dashboard forward (or at least the bit around the instrument panel.) after removing the grille and fitting the new speaker..it seemed awkward to re-fit the dash panel, and the switches (rear wiper, foglight and stuff) and the air vent didn't sit as nicely as they did previsously.

the speaker wires must have slipped off the terminals. so i need to do this over again tomorrow...any tips to make this easier would be appreciated!

also...there are no rear speakers, but i think i'll want some. will there be any wiring for them or will i have to wire it from the head unit?

Thanks in advance

[SimonR]

Hi there,

Congratulations on getting it nearly done :)

When you put the dash surround back in the second time pay close attention to how the plastic clips line up. It's very easy to stick them in the wrong place so that the dash surround doesn't push home correctly. I suspect this is what's wrong. You may find it easier to remove any that are still stuck in the dash then replace them on the surround before pushing it home.

You will probably have to squeeze the spade connectors for the speakers closed a little bit with some pliers so that they don't drop off again.

What car do you have? - it's obviously from between 83 and 85 but what trim level is it?

You'll prbably find that the wiring isn't there, or isn't complete if it is. You need a variable resistor in the centre console if the wiring is to work on all four speakers. In my experience (3 mk.1 cars so far!) it's preferable to run new speaker wires under the carpets to the rears and then just wire them to the headunit loom at the front. This also gets round problems if your head unit doesn't like common earth speaker connections.

Good luck!

[jdmini]

it's a 1.6 L model..i think what you're saying sounds about right with the speaker grille...but i can't seem to screw it any further, but there is a gap there though.

so it's likely to be that?

thanks for the help mate...i wonder how bad i can skin my knuckles tomorrow holding that bloody surround!

[Austin-Rover]

Unfortunatly for you, that style of dashboard is a real pain to dismantle and put back together. You have more than likely broken several of the retaining clips for the big oblong padded instrument surround. I suggest you pull out the remains of the broken ones and carry on with any remaining. They are quite fragile and you have to ensure each one is 'home' before giving it a final push and have it all clip back together.

Pay real attention that all the buttons/clock/vents/other switchgear are perfectly in place before attemping the oblong surround.

From memory the drivers side speaker grille slots in at the back end by the window and if located properly, the screws should line up.

[jdmini]

nothing seems to have broken, and i don't think i've damaged the white locating lugs either..it's only about 1mm out but i don't want to force it back incase i damage something.

[Austin-Rover]

If you think it is all lined up as best you can...try pushing the oblong surround at the top with a quick sharp push and then the bottom. You might find that will get it back in.

[jdmini]

i did it! it's all sorted now...the only thing is now it's vibrating a bit on the speaker grille (i think i'll do a little bodge to sort it out)

[Austin-Rover]

...the only thing is now it's vibrating a bit...

Yeah, they do that! :laugh:

Glad you got it back together. You can pad out rattly bits with...well...whatever you fancy really.