Ok, so my radio doesn't work. Like, it turns on, and the little antenna motor runs (even though the antenna is stuck up :P), but I am not getting any sound. I have heard that the amplifiers go if the battery is accidentally put on backwards. I was wondering how to access the amps to check them, as I know they are somewhere around the storage bins, but I am not sure where. Does anyone know how to get to them?

 

if you have a 84-85 take out the cargo pocket screws, remove the cargo pockets and they are screwed to the bulkhead for the cargo pocket, depending on which radio set you have will determing the size of the amps, if you have a 81-3 then one of the 2 amps will be under the drivers seat, if you have a 79 limited edition the amp is under the passenger seat, if you have a 80 anniversary edition or Leather Sport the amp will be behind the dash for most of the 2 post base model radios 79-82 there were no amps the radio had just enough power to run the little bitty speakers

hope this info helps

 

Thanks. I have an 85 GS with cassette and AM/FM tuner

 

I have a related question. I've got a '84 GS. Is there an amp in it? Where is it? under which bin? My tuner does not move, so I'm decided if I want to try and repair the OEM, replace it or Upgrade the system to a new CD set up, The rest of the car is 100% original. Input is appreciated

 

The amps are under the storage bins in the back.

There is one for driver's side and one for passenger's side

 

Working on those amps can be a PITA as well since Mazda liked proprietary connections iirc. You may want to swap them out just to get a more standard connection like RCA.

 

Which brings up a good question. Has anyone replaced the amps and speakers to get a better sound? If so, with what?

 

i got my car 3 days after hurrican IKE hit houston, the engine was fine but the entire interior got water logged. well i replaced all the carpet and stuff and got rid of the piles of sugar ants (i kid you not) in the car. anyway, gutted the car.

i put a new sony Xplod gt330
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_158GT33...y=Sony&tp=5684
it was cheap, puts out plenty of power, has sub out, and was red. which is good because it goes with the orange/red lights in the car.

for the sub i did a custom 12" sub box.
http://www.mazspeed.com/howtohideyoursub.htm

i used 3/4 MDF, make sure you test fit everything in the car before putting it together.

for speakers i just went cheap for now, i got some basic pioneer speakers. im am going to mod the back speakers to house 4x6 or something to that effect. possibly bigger if i can get away with the deepness of the speaker.

i used 12 gauge speaker cable for speakers(you can use 16 or 18 it shouldnt matter. but i listen to alot of techno so i just said the hell with it im never going to need to replace the wires.

for the subwoofer i bought a 4 gauge wire, because im powering a 1000 watt amp single channel kenwood amp from bestbuy. it had great reviews, but i personally would have gone with a 1000 watt kicker.

 

so how does it sound? what do you recommend for speakers? what is a kicker?

great write up on the boom box dimensions!

 

a brand of amp

 

it sounds good, i listen to metal/techno and you can really feel the bass against the back of your seat. i recommend better speakers than pioneers though.