Ford Explorer JBL Premier Sub Woofer Out!

I have a 1996 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer with the premium sound system.  The factory Sub-woofer (in right rear storage compartment) just went out and I lost all bass frequency.  The speakers only represent the treble and mid frequencies and sound bad!!  I checked the vehicle users manual and found two or three fuses that control various functions associated with the audio.  I troubleshooted the fuses and they appear to be fine.  The CD changer, radio, etc are all working fine.  My local Ford dealer will not assist me in fixing it without scheduling an appointment and charging me big bucks!  Any ideas on what I can check myself before giving in to over-charging big dealerships???!!  Thanks!! :)) Mike

Thanks for the quick reply!!  I replaced each fuse with another (good one) just to make sure.  It did not help.  It went out while I was listening at low - mid voume.  It went out for about 30 seconds and came back.  I shut the vehicle off for a few hours and when I started the car back up, the sub-woofer was gone...has not worked since.  No sound or "hiss" comes out of the sub when the stereo is on...all other speakers appear to be functioning.  I tapped around the rear cavity (with the palm of my hand) to possibly "jar" any loose connections...no help.  Sub appears to be totally dead.  It has never acted up, cut out or distorted prior to this failure.  My guess is that possibly a power amp that drives the sub may have problems (connection or electronic).  No "burning" type smells noticed from heat or fused wires...  Any ideas where to go or what to check at this point???  Thanks!!  MikeMike

Might want to disconnect the sub and hook up a temp speaker to see if you get any sound distorted or not.  If you do get clean sound then you know it’s the sub. If you’re getting sound and it’s distorted then it could be the amp. However  if your not getting any sound then get a voltage tester and see if the amp is getting power. You might also want to remove the panels around it this will give you a good look at everything. As well as allow you to check all the connections. This will give you a good start in diagnosing the problem let us know the results

I have had the same problem with my 1997 EB Explorer. The rear woofer simply stopped working. I turned the car off and the system sounded fine. The next day, I get in and I have no bass. I figured it was a fuse because there was no hiss, no crackling, no sound at all coming from the speaker. The first time it happened (last summer), I bought a stock replacement from a Ford dealer (~$85). It just happened again the other day (I didn't even have the volume turned up) and I'm not too happy about buying another stock replacement, only to wonder if I'm going to get a few months out of it. Anyone know of a compatible replacement. I don't want to "upgrade" the sound with adding an amp or anything. I just want an after-market speaker that fits where the factory one does and has similar specs. For that matter, does anyone know the specs of the factory speaker. The Ford dealers I've contacted don't even know.

After a little more investigation, I figured out what happened. I took the speaker out of the enclosure and turned the radio on to see if I could feel any vibration at all. Nothing. So I got my multitester out and tested the leads to the speaker. The needle bounced in time with the music, so I knew the amp was OK. I inspected the speaker further and I noted that the flexible stranded wire that runs between the connection point on the speaker to the speaker itself was frayed. There was a single strand still intact, but there was no continuity on either side of it. It must have been strictly for tension. So I got out the trusty old soldering iron and a short length of wire to make up the difference between the frayed end and the connection point. I tinned both ends as well as the frayed end of the straded wire. I then soldered the two together and connected them to the connection point. Then I reconnected the speaker to the amp and voila! Music. The only thing I can figure is that the stranded wire frayed over time, eventually coming loose.

Thank you all for your notes concerning my problem.  I ended up taking it to my local Ford dealer and paid the $75.00 diagnostic (1 hour) fee.  They concluded that I was getting signal to and beyond the Sub power amp but the sub-woofer was not responding to the signal.  They have put a JBL Sub-woofer order in for replacement.  In addition to the $75.00 fee, I will be required to pay them $237.58 for parts, laber, etc.  The total bill from the Ford dealer to trouble-shoot and replace the speaker is $312.58 (diagnostic + parts + installation).  Again, I do appreciate all the responses, suggestians and information from everyone!!  MikeMike