Three of the four Bose speakers in my 1987 Camaro are shot - it's time to replace them. Does anyone have any ideas or experience finding replacement speakers without having to re-wire the whole car?


If not, what is necessary to replace the old Bose system (or send me to the helpful thread - I couldn't find it)?

 

Chances are that it is not the speakers. It is the Amps that go bad. They need a re-build. The amps are inside the speaker enclosure. I have rebuilt several for members on here. If you are interested in having it done, let me know.

 

Converting to a non-Bose system wouldn't be that difficult. If you had no existing stereo wiring, you'd need three wires for 12v constant, 12v switched, 12v negative ground, and 2 wires for each speaker. Even if you pull the dash pad and door sill to run the wiring in the factory plastic wiring channels, it'd only take a Saturday.

 

Last week I pulled a pair of BOSE speakers from the doors of a 97 Caddy. They appear to be the same speaker as the rear speakers in your 87 Thirdgen, so if your SPEAKERS are bad - keep an eye out for a 91-98? Caddy in the local boneyards. That same speaker was also used in many other cars too,..... but I don't think that I've ever found Camaro Thirdgen BOSE kick-panel speakers in any other type of car.

P.S. I agree with *84TA; VERY high probability that your original Amps need to be replaced or rebuilt.

 

Matt rebuilt all four of mine two years ago and they are still going strong.

 

I would be interested...new to the forum and new owner of a 92 with no functioning audio. Replaced original stereo and it didn’t do the trick. Any help would be appreciated. If I can’t get the amps rebuilt then are there speakers that will plug into the four prong connector? Mine are in the rear hatch. Crutchfield couldn’t really help me.

 

Look up Bose repair central Florida. There is a place that repairs the amps. Bose speakers are different ohms than most other speakers.

 

Look up Noe Saldivar (goes by Ed) on 3rd Gen Camaro in FB.. He has refurbed 3rd and 4th gen original stereos
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...&theater&ifg=1

 

I've dealt with John @ BOSE central & had good results with them. I can also restore MOST BOSE amps @ $40 each + return shipping. The repair is not always possible; I've had about an 85% success rate. ( Sometimes the circuit board is just too 'cooked' to be repaired.)

If you install a aftermarket radio you will need to to use a signal converter so that the original Speakers and AMP can be used. The only other option is to install all new wiring for all the speakers and new speakers.

BOSE systems used a "shared" ground for the 2 front and the 2 rear channels. The other 2 wires on the 4-pin connector are Power (PINK) and ground (BLACK) for the AMP. BOSE speakers are also generally only 2 OHMs.

Feel free to send me a PM for info about BOSE,.... I might be able to help.

 

1. what kind of signal converter? Im using an aftermarket head unit with the original Bose speakers and amp and seems to work fine

 

You're the first and only person I've ever heard that make that claim......... I don't know how your stereo system is functional.

The BOSE head unit doesn
t have any AMP at all,... each speaker uses it's own AMP at the speaker. ( I'm GUESSING ) That your aftermarket head unit must be sending a pre-amp level signal to the original BOSE stuff.

 

I tried to pm you but I’m guessing I don’t have enough posts. I looked at the Bose schematic and assumed the amps were taking speaker level inputs so that is how it’s wired. Even the scoshe harness adapter plugged right in. Balance and fader both work. I don’t know if this matters but it’s an 87 camaro.

 

Do you still rebuild these amps?