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Copyright 2005 Crutchfield Corporation
Replacing Dash Speakers
Although they can be tough to reach occasionally, most dash speakers are
small and relatively easy to replace. In some vehicles, all you need to do is
remove the grilles, which are usually held down by screws or friction fittings.
If your grilles use friction fittings (you’ll know because there won’t be any
screws evident), carefully pry them up from the edges. To avoid marring or
cracking the surrounding area, put a broad, flat item (like a panel tool or putty
knife) underneath the tool you’re using to pry up the grille.
Other vehicles, however, require that you remove the entire dashboard panel
to access the connections. Fortunately, most dash panels are held in place
by just a few screws. Once you’ve removed the screws, carefully pull off the
panel, making sure you don’t catch any wires or ducts in the process. You’ll
find an offset screwdriver or stubby Phillips screwdriver useful to get at the
screws near the windshield.
Remove the old speakers and make sure to note the polarity of each
terminal. The speaker’s positive terminal is the larger of the two, and is
usually marked with a “+” or a colored dot. If your speakers came with a
Crutchfield wiring harness, use it to connect to your factory wiring. If not,
you’ll want to crimp or solder the connections from your new speakers to
the wiring in the vehicle. Don’t secure the wires with electrical tape, which
can deteriorate rapidly because of the temperature extremes in your car. It’s
also a good idea to test the speaker to be sure everything works before you
secure it tightly and put the dash back in place.
Most dash speakers are small and relatively easy to replace.
