HHR Speakers Not Working [Everything You Need To Know]

Generally, most of the HHR speakers last a long time, sometimes dominating aftermarket speakers. However, even they can stop working after some time.

So, why are your HHR speakers not working?

First, if your speakers are working intermittently then the most probable cause is a short wire. At the same time, it can be a wobbly connection too. Also, it can be the head unit and amplifier. Also, your speakers could be defective. So, you have to examine the wiring too. Finally, if all the steps fail, you need to replace the speaker.

This is nothing but just a summary of the whole issue. Keep reading if you wish to fix this problem.

3 Easy Methods That Can Fix Your HHR Speakers Not Working

Although there’s a lot of fixes, some will be a little harder to execute. So, calming down before going through the instructions will make everything easier for you.

With that being said, let us head right in –

1. If Your Speakers Are Working Intermittently

This is one of the most complained problems among HHR owners. It may seem annoying at first but it’s actually pretty easy to fix.

If your speakers are working intermittently, there can be two possible reasons. Either it’s a problem with the connection or there are issues with your speakers.

Check the Speakers

To examine the speakers properly, you can try these steps below:

Turn off the A/V stereo receiver
Make sure the wires are connected properly with the A/V receiver and speakers
If there are any electronic devices nearby, turn them off or take them away. Check the sounds are getting interference or not

Make sure the speaker wires are away from other electrical cords
Reset the A/V receiver to factory default settings
Try replacing the speaker wires

If you have a spare set of speakers, connect them

If the new speakers are working, then your speakers need replacement. However, if the other speakers aren’t working as well, replace the A/V receiver.

Here are some of our best picks regarding A/V receivers –

Now, you can easily grab some A/V receivers should you need them.

2. Bad Head Unit or a Bad Amplifier

Your head unit turning on doesn’t always mean that it’s actually working properly. That’s why it’s better not to rule it out before examining it thoroughly.

Ruling out the Head Unit & Checking the Amplifier

So, here are some steps that you can follow –

Make sure the anti-theft mode of your head unit is turned off
Check all the volume and other settings like fade and pan
Try out different audio inputs like radio or CD player

Test the fuses if there are any
Look out for unplugged or loose wires

And that’s everything you’ve to do to check the head unit. Check whether it fixes your speaker problem or not. If not, then it’s probably the amplifier.

In these cases, it’s mostly the amps that create problems. Because the audio always passes through the amp.

These are procedures that you need to take when checking the amp –

Make sure the amplifier is turning on properly

Verify that the amplifier doesn’t have the protect mode on
Look out for loose wires.
Test both onboard and inline fuses

By now you should have an idea whether the amp is working or not. Sometimes the amp can seem fine even though it’s not properly functioning.

In that regard, you have to bypass the amp by using another amp.

3. Faulty Speakers – Should You Just Throw It Away

If the previous methods didn’t work, it’s safe to assume that your speakers are faulty.

However, there’s more to be done. We can also check its speaker wiring before throwing it away for good.

Checking the Speaker Wiring

First, get some extra wires. Then you’ve to unscrew the screws and open up the sound system.

For that, you have to safely remove the door panels and trims. You won’t have to route the wiring so it’s not a complex task at all.

So, now we can examine the speakers directly. If the speakers work now, it’s safe to say that it’s a wiring problem.

Also, another way to test it is to unplug the wiring harness. Be careful when detaching it from the head unit or amp.

Now, get a 1.5V battery. Connect the wire’s pos/neg with the battery’s +/- respectively.

If you can hear a pop after connecting, that means the speakers are fine. Although, it doesn’t mean they are properly working though.

If that didn’t work and nothing is heard, your HHR speakers are probably defective. In that case, the best option is to replace the speaker.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are my front speakers not working?

Ans: In most cases, it is the head unit that is faulty. However, bad amplifiers also can cause defection. Sometimes, even a tiny problem in the wiring can shut down the whole sound system.

Q: How do I reset my HHR audio?

Ans: First start your car and then turn on the radio. After this, hold the MIN button till you hear a beep. Now, if you’re seeing a 0000 that means your HHR audio has completed a reset.

Q: Why do my car speakers work sometimes?

Ans: This is often caused by wiring problems. Even a slight break or crimp can completely shut your system off. However, the amplifier can be a reason as well. If the amplifier or the wiring is okay, then the head unit might be faulty.

Conclusion

And that’s everything we could gather on HHR speakers not working. Hopefully, you’ll be able to follow these instructions and successfully do it by yourself.

If all these seem too much for you, you’re better off hiring a professional.

So, were you able to fix your speakers?

Let us know which method fixed your HHR speakers in the comments below.
Good luck!

Author
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Rob Dahm

My name is Rob Dham. I am the founder & managing editor of greaseandgears.com. I am trying to offer invaluable insights and solutions to everyday vehicle-related challenges.