I just installed A pioneer FH-P8000BT in my 06 Element Ex (which I must say way the biggest pain in the a** ever!). Well to make a long story short I made my own wiring harness. I spliced into the speaker wires coming out of the amp and ran them through the dash up to the new head unit. I figured doing it that way I wouldnt have to run a line converter which worked out really well. I work on harleys at a local harley shop and I had connectors and connector terminals and the harley crimping tool so I was able to make them quick disconnect. Doing it that way I have the stock harness intack and could plug the stock radio if i needed to or hook up the new one easily. I connected all the wires and put the dash back together and played a cd and the driver door speaker volume is about half as loud as the rest. After being out in 20 degree weather for 5 hours hooking everything up I was done and didnt feel like messing with it anymore so I quit and figured maybe someone on here has experienced a problem like this. I was thinking maybe the positive and negative wires going to that speaker is bakwards. Any help?? Thanks

I think you nailed it. You might have the speakers "out of Phase". Take a nine volt battery, remove the grill covers. When the positive and negative leads are correct, the speaker will move toward full deflection into the car. If you have it backwards, it will sink away. Don't keep it like that too long, just a touch will show you if you hooked it up correctly.

You could have gone from the preamp outputs of the Pioneer to the amp. To me it seems like the most practical way to do it. I can't imagine there'd be much of a difference from the OEM amp in the EX and the one in you rHU.

Did you replace the speakers? Did you disconnect the speaker wiring harness from the output of factory amp? How is the sub wired in?

Did you find this site AFTER you spent 5 hours on a 30-45 minute radio install?? There are lots of threads here on how to install a radio and the poster above me has a link in his signature that explains a lot. I personally doubt that the phase of the speaker is the problem.

I have stock speakers. I spliced the speaker wires coming out of the amp and soldered wires to the spliced parts of the stock wires then ran them up to the HU through the dash. Then I spliced the ground, Illumination, battery, and accessory wires and soldered on new wires to at the splices. I used an old rca and cut then end off of it and ran the poitive and negative parts to the sub connector coming out of the stock HU, so I could have stand alone sub control. I also spliced the amp turn on and soldered a new wire off of it the connected to the remote wire of the new HU.
One problem I had doing it this was is everything sounded great until I plugged up the sub turn on wire. All of the speakers stayed at a low volume and when I turned up the volume on the HU the speaker levels stayed the same level but would distort. I didnt know if I may have spliced into the amps ground for my new HU or if the voltage was running back into the amp causing interference because my new HU is powered. So to solve that problem I pulled the connector out of the amp that had the new soldered wires to the stock wires and pryed the clip locks loose, pushed the locking pins back, and pulled the speaker wire terminals out of the connector, plugged it back in leaving the power, ground, and sub wires still in the connector, and there was no more interference. Just the one low level speaker. I think I read your post to do the sub with the cut rca I think and if it was your post then thank you so much. I had my doubts but it actually worked.

Did you find this site AFTER you spent 5 hours on a 30-45 minute radio install?? There are lots of threads here on how to install a radio and the poster above me has a link in his signature that explains a lot. I personally doubt that the phase of the speaker is the problem.

Yeah I spent about 10 hours reading on how to do it on here. I did it my way because I dont have a dime in any of it and the stock stereo can still be plug and play. If you dont think that the phase is the problem then do you have any suggestions? thanks

Silly question time. I always like to get the easy stuff out of the way. Did you try swapping speakers from left to right and see what happens? Is it possible you had a pooched speaker before you even started?

I have stock speakers. I spliced the speaker wires coming out of the amp and soldered wires to the spliced parts of the stock wires then ran them up to the HU through the dash. Then I spliced the ground, Illumination, battery, and accessory wires and soldered on new wires to at the splices. I used an old rca and cut then end off of it and ran the poitive and negative parts to the sub connector coming out of the stock HU, so I could have stand alone sub control. I also spliced the amp turn on and soldered a new wire off of it the connected to the remote wire of the new HU.
One problem I had doing it this was is everything sounded great until I plugged up the sub turn on wire. All of the speakers stayed at a low volume and when I turned up the volume on the HU the speaker levels stayed the same level but would distort. I didnt know if I may have spliced into the amps ground for my new HU or if the voltage was running back into the amp causing interference because my new HU is powered. So to solve that problem I pulled the connector out of the amp that had the new soldered wires to the stock wires and pryed the clip locks loose, pushed the locking pins back, and pulled the speaker wire terminals out of the connector, plugged it back in leaving the power, ground, and sub wires still in the connector, and there was no more interference. Just the one low level speaker. I think I read your post to do the sub with the cut rca I think and if it was your post then thank you so much. I had my doubts but it actually worked.
Okay...my concern was that you had both the output of the OEM amp and the radio hooked up to the same wires. This could fry one or both of the units. The only troubleshooting ideas I could think of is to try reversing the phase, or if that doesn't work, try hooking up that one channel to another output to see if maybe it's a wiring/speaker problem. I'm assuming you checked the fader and balance settings. :cool:

Silly question time. I always like to get the easy stuff out of the way. Did you try swapping speakers from left to right and see what happens? Is it possible you had a pooched speaker before you even started?

What do you mean swapping from left to right?

What do you mean swapping from left to right?


Pull the speaker out of the door and plug it in to the other side.

Okay...my concern was that you had both the output of the OEM amp and the radio hooked up to the same wires. This could fry one or both of the units. The only troubleshooting ideas I could think of is to try reversing the phase, or if that doesn't work, try hooking up that one channel to another output to see if maybe it's a wiring/speaker problem. I'm assuming you checked the fader and balance settings. :cool:

Yeah the balance ahd to be on 4 out of 10 on the left side for it to be equal on both sides. I really think its a phase problem. Only thing that sucks now is that its killing me to switch it and see if thats the problem but my element is in the body shop getting fixed from a deer hitting me about a month ago. I never thought about hooking the channel to another output either. Thats a really good idea. Im suppost to be getting it back in a few days and I will check the phase and keep you guys posted. Thanks for all the help. And if you guys get any other ideas please let me know.

Pull the speaker out of the door and plug it in to the other side.

Do you know how to get the door grille off by any chance or how to get to the speaker?

Well there's your problem...you've got a deer stuck thru your door.:shock:

Do you know how to get the door grille off by any chance or how to get to the speaker?
1. pop off grille with screwdriver or long fingernails
2. unscrew speaker
3. unplug wires

:razz:

Do you know how to get the door grille off by any chance or how to get to the speaker?


Start pulling near the bottom or the sides and it will pop off.

Yeah I spent about 10 hours reading on how to do it on here. I did it my way because I dont have a dime in any of it and the stock stereo can still be plug and play. If you dont think that the phase is the problem then do you have any suggestions? thanks

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but spending 5 hours on the install and not spending a dime on it and not having it working doesn't compare to spending 45 minutes and $15-$17 and having it work...at least IMO. Anyway, if you did as BigAl feared and had the output of the headunit linked to the output of the factory amp at the same time, you may have very well damaged your headunit. Probably best to wait till you get it back so you can do some diagnostics instead of speculation cause if your like me, it would just drive me crazy having info but nothing to apply it to. :cool:

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but spending 5 hours on the install and not spending a dime on it and not having it working doesn't compare to spending 45 minutes and $15-$17 and having it work...at least IMO. Anyway, if you did as BigAl feared and had the output of the headunit linked to the output of the factory amp at the same time, you may have very well damaged your headunit. Probably best to wait till you get it back so you can do some diagnostics instead of speculation cause if your like me, it would just drive me crazy having info but nothing to apply it to. :cool:

Im not trying to be a jerk either but the 5 hours was my time spent and not yours. Also walmart here doesnt carry any harness and said they cant get any which was my only source of getting a plug and play harness, since I dont own a credit card. Also $15-$17 dollars would buy me lunch at work for 3 or 4 days. Im a Harley-Davidson Technician and I take pride in the things I build and do and I know that the problem is not in my wiring harness. Thank you for you help but it seems that the other people on here are a little bit more willing to help me rather than tell me that I need to spend money that is not needed. Thanks anyway

Im not trying to be a jerk either but the 5 hours was my time spent and not yours. Also walmart here doesnt carry any harness and said they cant get any which was my only source of getting a plug and play harness, since I dont own a credit card. Also $15-$17 dollars would buy me lunch at work for 3 or 4 days. Im a Harley-Davidson Technician and I take pride in the things I build and do and I know that the problem is not in my wiring harness. Thank you for you help but it seems that the other people on here are a little bit more willing to help me rather than tell me that I need to spend money that is not needed. Thanks anyway


Well, I wasn't telling you how to spend your money, I was simply making a statement that as a "tech" you should know, time is money. I did make a suggestion as to what I thought was wrong. I said that I felt (as did BigAl) that you may have damaged your headunit by having the output of your headunit and the output side of your factory amp wired together (via YOUR wiring harness) at the same time. I ultimately believe that your wiring is the issue or ultimately what caused the issue at hand. Sorry if I am not telling you what you want to hear. I'll butt out of your thread at this point with hopes that money saved on the harness didn't cost you a new head unit. Good luck :rolleyes:

I spliced into the speaker wires coming out of the amp
and ran them through the dash up to the new head unit. I figured doing it that way I wouldnt have to run a line converter which worked out really well.

I'm pretty sure here lies the problem,if anything you should of wired it to the speaker wires going into the amp,not coming out. :confused: As for using a line convertor,you don't even need one for your unit,as it has some really great pre amp outputs.Also,there really was no need to go directly to the factory amp for any of those connections for the install...all of the connections could have been easily made directly behind the actual headunit even without the use of an aftermarket harness,just by simply leaving the factory plug/harnesses intact and tapping into the wires behind the factory harnesses.This would of still left you the option of a future re-installation of the factory unit.

Good luck,I hope you get this worked out.By the way it looks like you chose quite a nice head unit for your E':cool:

Well, I wasn't telling you how to spend your money, I was simply making a statement that as a "tech" you should know, time is money. I did make a suggestion as to what I thought was wrong. I said that I felt (as did BigAl) that you may have damaged your headunit by having the output of your headunit and the output side of your factory amp wired together (via YOUR wiring harness) at the same time. I ultimately believe that your wiring is the issue or ultimately what caused the issue at hand. Sorry if I am not telling you what you want to hear. I'll butt out of your thread at this point with hopes that money saved on the harness didn't cost you a new head unit. Good luck :rolleyes:

TIme is money at work,but not at my house. BigAl asked to see if it was and after I explained to him that the way I had it wired that was not the case. And you dont have to butt out of the threat. Im not trying to make enemies on here, but you not even seeing my wiring harness I think that the assumption has been made, and hopfully thats not the case. But thank you.

Maybe your alternator sprung a leak :lol:

Maybe your alternator sprung a leak :lol:

Lol. Maybe so! I get it back tomorrow and I will let you know what the problem was thursday. Also I have a question for you since you have dependable answers. Do you know what size the front door speakers are? I have some polk audio I think 5 and 1/4" speakers I might just throw in there when I diagnose the problem since that one will be out ayways.

Can you please post some pics of the deck installed? I am actually looking at this same deck for my E. Please please please. :)

Lol. Maybe so! I get it back tomorrow and I will let you know what the problem was thursday. Also I have a question for you since you have dependable answers. Do you know what size the front door speakers are? I have some polk audio I think 5 and 1/4" speakers I might just throw in there when I diagnose the problem since that one will be out ayways.
They are 6 1/2".

Thanks to everyone for helping me out but the problem was speaker phase. This deck sounds so good. Also I looked at the speakers and they are polk audio db6500. Not the new 6501's. Im gonna try them hoping that they arent too deep. Crutchfield said that they wont work, but im still gonna try. Thank for everyones help on this threat and I will post some pics of the installation tonight. Thanks

Can you please post some pics of the deck installed? I am actually looking at this same deck for my E. Please please please. :)

Sounds like you have your "E" hooked up man. Do you have pics on here somewhere of it?

Alright! I'm the winnah! One to nuthin......

Aw, come on, let me have this one....

Alright! I'm the winnah! One to nuthin......

Aw, come on, let me have this one....
You might have won the battle...but you haven't won the war. Muahahaha Muahahaha

;-)

Sounds like you have your "E" hooked up man. Do you have pics on here somewhere of it?

Here you go!

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49665

and at the bottom:

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50564&page=2

speaker phase that bad huh? thats impressive, would have been a good demo lol

Here you go!

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49665

and at the bottom:

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50564&page=2

Trailor mod?? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA That was so funny man. I love the blue emblem painted! Love the luggage rack, And I love the fog lights. Im gonna get the same fog lights, and will possibly come to you for questions if thats cool? Has anyone said if those foglights are illegal or had any problems with the law when you run them?

Trailor mod?? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA That was so funny man. I love the blue emblem painted! Love the luggage rack, And I love the fog lights. Im gonna get the same fog lights, and will possibly come to you for questions if thats cool? Has anyone said if those foglights are illegal or had any problems with the law when you run them?

Yeah, ask away when you want to install them. I have not had any issues with the lights, but I typically only use the halos. the actual lights are driving lights, and are too bright to use most of the time.

Here are the pics I promised

alll blue loooks CLEAN
jsut got word from the roomate that my pioneer f90bt is sitting in the kitchen YIPPY! soon i can share the joy :)

alll blue loooks CLEAN
jsut got word from the roomate that my pioneer f90bt is sitting in the kitchen YIPPY! soon i can share the joy :)

Thanks man. Gotta have the all blue! lol And happy pioneer listening!!!

Not to bring this thread from the dead, but....

I'm looking at that same head unit (well, the premier fh-800bt anyways). After seeing your pictures it makes me want it that much more. Now that you've had it awhile, do you have any thoughts on what you really like or dislike about it? Have you added any of the add-ons (ipod, xm, etc.)? Have you had any problems.

I think you nailed it. You might have the speakers "out of Phase". Take a nine volt battery, remove the grill covers. When the positive and negative leads are correct, the speaker will move toward full deflection into the car. If you have it backwards, it will sink away. Don't keep it like that too long, just a touch will show you if you hooked it up correctly.

While this is a great tip, DO NOT use a 9V battery for this!!

Use a AA or AAA. It'll be more than enough power to make the speaker move and you'll run less of a chance of hurting your speakers. A 9V can actually roast the voice coil wires in your speakers.

Not to resurrect dead threads or anything but I too have this original problem... My passenger door speaker sounds as though its not even on until you put your head next to it..

But i've got another symptom... "sometimes" it turns on just as loud as all the others... usually after a hard turn.. and then it cuts off back to its lower sound.. sometimes it goes between both loud and quiet during the same turn ect...

Any suggestions?

Not to resurrect dead threads or anything but I too have this original problem... My passenger door speaker sounds as though its not even on until you put your head next to it..

But i've got another symptom... "sometimes" it turns on just as loud as all the others... usually after a hard turn.. and then it cuts off back to its lower sound.. sometimes it goes between both loud and quiet during the same turn ect...

Any suggestions?
That's a tough one. Are they aftermarket speakers? It's possible that a single strand from one of the speaker wires is touching bare metal, or something weird like that.

Yes they are aftermarket... I had pioneer's in there and swapping them for Sony GTX- 1621S's and the problem persists with them as well so I'm going to pull the head unit out today and make sure nothing is loose behind it (as its an aftermarket) and will post what I find, If there's any other suggestions please let me know! thanks!

So I was able to look behind the headunit and all wires are snugly installed with all bare parts covered with shrink tubing...

Not too sure what else to check...

So I was able to look behind the headunit and all wires are snugly installed with all bare parts covered with shrink tubing...

Not too sure what else to check...

Did you check behind each speaker?
That would be my next step.

Did you check behind each speaker?
That would be my next step.

Yeah they're new speakers now, I dont know an abundance about the element speaker wiring system but ive realized both speakers on the passenger side are having the same issue, could this be a blown fuse? or am I looking at rewiring entirely.

What I did today was swap each working RCA behind the head unit with ones that werent working and all that caused was no speakers to work so something is bugging out before that point...

just for people searching this, my problem turned out to be a bad connection with the ipod cable, so it has to sit at a certain angle and what not.