SubWoofer Rattle and Passenger Window Switch

[cyled]

I saw this in another thread, but wanted to ask specifically, how many of you have your sub woofer sound like it is blown on low freq? Normal range seems okay. I am talking even from Radio stations. I fine that I have to adjust the bass way back to stop this (below flat (half way)).


Also, ask the dealer why my passenger window switch does not light up but the door lock does. They said, it is that way by design. What's up with that? To me it is a little detail that they could of finished out. Yeah Yeah, I know it's picky, but.....

[Flash]

Had the same speaker problem, Brian posted this and it was this exactly;

"Background.
Between the carpeted package tray trim and the package tray sheet metal is a sheet of foam-backed mastic sound absorber. That sheet is used for applications that get a package-tray mounted subwoofer and also in applications that do not get the subwoofer. There is a knock-out that should be removed at the factory for all applications that get a subwoofer. On non-subwoofer applications, the knock-out is left in place, to block the road noise in the trunk from getting into the passenger compartment. In applications that use a subwoofer, the knock-out should have been removed, so that the sound from the subwoofer mounted under the package tray has an unobstructed path into the passenger compartment. If the "knock-out" is accidentally left in the car on applications with a subwoofer, the subwoofer sound is attenuated, and the air pumping action of the subwoofer turned up to high volumes may push the mastic sheet up against the bottom of the package tray trim, which is made of a pressboard-like material. The slapping of the mastic against the pressboard can cause a rattle or popping sound.

First thing to check is if the "knock out" for the subwoofer in the package tray mastic damper has been removed. One easy way to do this is to make a tool with a common paper clip. Take a paper clip and straighten out two bends so that you have about 2 inches of straight stiff wire, with the remaining bends forming a handle to hold on to. Go the left side of the package tray, inboard of the left rear speaker and outboard of centerline. Lightly push down on the package tray trim carpet, and you should be able to feel circular holes in the pressboard underneath the carpet (holes are maybe 3/8 inch in diameter). Find the area where these holes are, and choose one near the center of the hole pattern. Gently try to push your 2 inch paper clip wire through the carpet and the hole. If the mastic knockout has not been removed, you will not be able to get you paper clip in more than about ½ inch and it will definitely feel like you are hitting the rubber mastic. If the mastic knock-out has been removed, you should be able to push the paper clip in all of the way. DO NOT USE A TOOL LONGER THAN 1 OR 2 INCHES. You do not want to push a tool in so deep that you puncture the subwoofer speaker cone. A 2 inch tool provides plenty of clearance to the cone. Note that there is an open-cell foam "plug" at the top of the subwoofer, and this may provide some resistance to inserting a paper clip. Try wiggling the clip around with a gentle insertion force. If the knock-out has been properly removed, it won't take much force to get the clip to go deeper than ½ inch. You may want to try this on several of the round holes in the package tray trim panel, if you can't seem to get through the first hole. Note that some of the holes around the perimeter may be blocked by the mastic pad if there is not perfect alignment between the mastic pad and the trim panel, so it is best to try holes closer to the center of the pattern. Having blockage of some of the perimeter holes does not seem to be an issue, so long as the majority of holes are "open" to the subwoofer.

If you find that the mastic pad knock-out has not been removed, then it needs to be removed. (Since this is a fairly involved process, you may want to have your Dealer perform it.) To get at the knock-out, you have to remove the rear seat cushion, rear seat back, both C-pillar trim panels, the center high-mount stop lamp, and the carpeted package tray trim. The mastic pad is now exposed, and the circular knock-out has a pre-stamped cut pattern, and can be easily removed. While you are at this point, you may as well check torque on the fasteners that hold the subwoofer to the package tray, and the fasteners that hold the left and right speakers to the package tray. You MAY also want to consider adding a little extra foam between the mastic pad and the package tray pressboard, as some of the previous posts in this forum have suggested. Re-assembly is the reverse order."

__________________
Brian

09-10-2002 03:59 PM

[LincMercLover]

I think just about everyone has had the woofer/rear deck problem. Just gotta get it fixed...

As for the lights on the buttons, are you talking the window switches IN the back doors? Those light up when you enable the rear passenger to control their own windows (controlled by a toggle switch on the drivers master panel).

[Donald]

I have the sub problem. Dealer had sound guy check it. They are blaming the song I use to show problem. Track 13 on the first Sopranos soundtrack CD.

I will use the Brian message and check the system out myself.

[kashvili]

thanks for the info...i thought it was just me....has anyone tried to get the dealer to perform the fix?

[Black Terror]

Yes, I got my car back Friday. They changed Subwoofer Assembly and told me that the cutout had already been removed. However, the problem of Rattles/Pops still exist. The dealer offered to hold over and get a Mercury Rep to look at it but I declined for time being. I am going to try the fix of inserting extra foam under the package tray before I let them use my car for testing. If anyone has other ideas, I would like to hear them. I can stop the rattling/popping noise by lightly applying my hand on the package tray so the association is with the package tray being moved by the Subwoofer.
Again, any other ideas? I only want to take that package tray out once.
Thanks.

[SergntMac]

Gee...guess I should turn my radio on once in a while, eh? Still prefer to hear the growl...Hope this passes before my warranty expires.

[Marauderman]

Gee,,I don't get it--My MM hasn't had any of these problems as yet--sound systems is great and no problems with the light switchs as mentioned...more and more I read ..I am finding my MM to be the real exceptional to most everyone problems///will keep my fingers crossed...
(I check after everyones compliant and it is okay with mine)