testing polarity of speaker wires, 03 accord

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csnut18

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Joined: January 27, 2007

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Posted: March 19, 2007 at 6:19 PM / IP Logged

Hi, I would like to know how to test the polarity of the speaker wires in a automotive sound system. I know the battery trick in which you hook one of the speaker wires to the positive and the other to the negative side of the battery and if the speaer moves up then the positive speaker wire was on the positive battery side etc... Now what happens if the speaker is in a location which it is not viewable like behind a doorpanel and taking off the door is not practical then how do you do it? Is there a way to do this using a multimeter? I am not asking a question about a specific car so I do not need wire colors i would rather like to learn the technique. Thank you so much in advance

aznboi3644

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Posted: March 19, 2007 at 9:31 PM / IP Logged

Check a wiring diagram.

If a speaker is behind a panel and taking off a door panel is not practical than you need some more practice...basically ANY car can be torn down...panels aren't permanently attached in place.

Only physical way I can think of is looking at the speakerr

csnut18

Copper - Posts: 196

Joined: January 27, 2007

Location: United States

Posted: March 19, 2007 at 9:36 PM / IP Logged

Firstly I am not a professional installer, I just like doing my own work so I don't have to pay considering I do have some skills. Also taking apart a ls430 or some benz is probably no fun even for a professional. Anyways back to my question. I was told there was a way to test speaker polarity with a multimeter and was wondering if anyone here could tell me how .thanx

KarTuneMan

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Posted: March 19, 2007 at 10:34 PM / IP Logged

Phaze, not polarity. You use your meter to check continuity. You identify one wire at a time. The best bet is to find a diagram of the car you are working on, and go from there.

csnut18

Copper - Posts: 196

Joined: January 27, 2007

Location: United States

Posted: March 19, 2007 at 10:36 PM / IP Logged

Hey kartuneman, thanx for the response but can you explain in detail what you mean? and how should i go about doing it with a multimeter when i get a diagram and find the colors?thanx

kassdog

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Posted: March 19, 2007 at 11:55 PM / IP Logged

I've never heard of being able to check to phase of a speaker with a multi meter but just continuity. Meaning that you can check if the two wires have a common connection at some point. Usually if there is any type of grill on the speaker, You can take like a broom brissle and put it in the grill and pop the speaker. If the brissle pops out you have the right phase according with your battery. If it doesn't move then you have it reversed. They do sell phase testers I believe but just one of those wastes of money tools I think.

DYohn

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Posted: March 20, 2007 at 10:37 AM / IP Logged

Wires do not have polarity, speakers do. :) As has been stated above you cannot determine speaker polarity using a multi-meter. The best thing to do if you plan to use factory wiring is to check a wiring diagram and/or disassemble the system and check continuity with your multimeter. And no, there is no car that is too difficult to disassemble. If it's too difficult for the installer, then that installer should not be doing the job, IMO. Also, if you are using a proper vehicle wiring harness adapter, the polarity of the speakers will be marked on the adapter wiring.

A cheap and sleazy way is to look at the wires going to each speaker and determine if one wire is striped and the other in not, and then arbitrarily decide to call the striped wire "negative." In most cases, you can get lucky and the speakers will be in phase. But not always. Don't be lazy, take the vehicle apart and do it right.

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csnut18

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Posted: March 20, 2007 at 2:50 PM / IP Logged

thanx everyone

csnut18

Copper - Posts: 196

Joined: January 27, 2007

Location: United States

Posted: March 20, 2007 at 2:53 PM / IP Logged

Hi can someone please list the stereo wiring colors for a 2003 honda accord lx 4 cylinder sedan with the factory in dash 6 disc changer. I know this site has it but it does not list the polarity of the speaker wires which is what I actually want. So if anyone can get me a tech sheet with the stereo wiring colors including each speaker wire and its polarity I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you

the12volt

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Posted: March 20, 2007 at 2:58 PM / IP Logged

Typically the first color listed is postive and the second is negative.

testing polarity of speaker wires, 03 accord -- posted image.

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