Speaker wiring

**fordmech** · 07-15-2015, 04:41 PM

We bought a used 2013 2720SL late last year. It had speakers but had never had a radio installed. I put in a radio but it kept indicating errors. I checked the speakers and wiring and after lots of chasing I found one of the speaker wires is shorted to ground somewhere in the front upper shell. Does anyone know where the wires are routed from the splices on the side? Otherwise I will make alternate arrangements for speaker wiring.

**commodor47** · 07-15-2015, 06:05 PM

See if the information in this thread helps:

http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...t=speaker+wire

Post #4 is from my experience with a non-functioning speaker.

Dick

**ShrimpBurrito** · 07-15-2015, 06:08 PM

It is my understanding that the wiring from the stereo speakers mounted on the front shell goes:

from the speakers, through the front cabinets to the street side wall (the side with the fridge/sink)
then behind the moulding mounted where the ceiling and that wall meet.
then I believe they go down to the bottom of the shell (in PVC pipe, perhaps), down the shell support arm, and then up into the space behind the fridge, where they find their way to the stereo.

I believe that moudling is nailed to the wall. One of the nails may have pierced the wire and then by contacting the wall, is shorting the wire to ground. That moulding can be removed, but I seem to recall hearing that it is usually destroyed in the process. You could check if a nail is the problem by checking continuity between the speaker wires and each one of those nails with an ohm meter. Then simply pulling out the the offending nail might solve the problem.

You could also check those exposed areas behind the fridge all the way until it gets hidden.

Dave

Harry Womack · 07-17-2015, 10:55 AM

The top corner moulding is snapped on an aluminum corner bracket. It does not have nails in it. The speaker wires are taped to the aluminum bar so that it makes it easier to snap the trim on.

**ShrimpBurrito** · 07-17-2015, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Womack

The top corner moulding is snapped on an aluminum corner bracket. It does not have nails in it. The speaker wires are taped to the aluminum bar so that it makes it easier to snap the trim on.

Well that's interesting. I've never taken the moulding off, but on my TM, I can certainly see what look like penny nails protruding through the surface. Is that somehow part of the bracketing, or did the factory perhaps change the installation at some point? On yours, does the moudling just snap in/out easily? Mine definitely does not.

Dave

**commodor47** · 07-17-2015, 11:51 AM

Dave,

I have removed the corner track cover on the curb side of our TM in an attempt to track a roof leak. Looks like the change may have taken place some time between 2000 and 2003. It was not easy to remove but can be done as long as you take your time and use small tools. See attached thumbnail.

Dick

**ShrimpBurrito** · 07-17-2015, 12:04 PM

Thanks, Dick. What is shown in your picture is definitely not what mine looks like. Mine is what appears to be either solid wood or PVC quarter round moulding that has been painted. And with the nail holes.

I would expect the new stuff is easier to remove/reinstall, and it appears as if it may even look a bit nicer too.

Dave

**fordmech** · 07-18-2015, 04:17 PM

Today I decided to try and find the shorted speaker wire. Found the small piece of wood trim on the bottom side of the front cabinet had been stapled through the wire. Reconnected all the wiring and the radio works great. Thanks for all the input. Dick

oldstick · 07-18-2015, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordmech

Today I decided to try and find the shorted speaker wire. Found the small piece of wood trim on the bottom side of the front cabinet had been stapled through the wire. Reconnected all the wiring and the radio works great. Thanks for all the input. Dick

This reminds me of a friend telling me last week about his house AC system. It started leaking Freon after working perfectly for 10+ years. He and a technician friend spent days trying to locate the leak. Nothing in the outside condenser or inside evaporator units. They resorted to cutting into walls to check all the refrigerant lines. Kept tracing and finally got to a place where they had to remove some baseboard trim in the basement. Yep, found a finish nail that had nicked the line during construction. Somehow it held OK for years but I assume the nail eroded away over time.