Fixing my audio - doing a OEM upgrade?

[TheEdgeofSanity]

background info: stock head unit, tweeters, and rear speakers in my car. I replaced the front speakers last year with a set of pioneers from Best Buy and what a difference! Anyway, I am having some issues with my radio. CD and Cassette quality are decent in my car, but when I use the radio, I get a ticking noise that varies with engine RPM's. Is it a bad ground? bad antenna amplifier? bad alternator?

secondly, the passenger-rear speaker sometimes works, other times doesn't. I am unsure of where to begin to fix this because I don't know if the speaker itself is shot or if there is a wiring issue or problem with the hear unit? direction on fixing this would be appreciated.

Thirdly, I wish to replace my rear speakers this summer because I have to keep my base in the negatives otherwise the rear speakers crackle like no other. I would like to get better speakers and possibly install a factory amp from a junk yard if its easy to do.

So, what I am asking is, what do I do to check the non-working speaker, then what speakers are good replacements (pioneers again?), and then what is the process to install a factory amp?

thanks for the help!

[Runaboveit]

Well, I had an issue I noticed after buying my car that the right rear speaker didn't work. I looked at the connection on it, and it was this factory type clip which I hadnt seen before. Anyway, It was snugly connected. So I just went out and got a set at best buy as well, after checking online for the size (6x9 for the rear)

I got the new speakers, and then started taking apart the backseat basically to get access to them.

I had to cut that factory clip off and then took the two wires that were now exposed from cutting the clip off, slid them into a spade(?) connector (the connectors came in the package with the new speakers I bought), crushed the wires in with some pliers, then electrical-taped it for good luck. Then the other side of the connector just slides onto the little two prong post on the back of the new speaker. It was pretty simple. Hooked it up, and yay it worked. (oh and I'm sure you didnt need all those details, but it might help somebody someday searching posts)

I was a bit disappointed however putting everything back together. The main thing was the new speakers did NOT fit into the openings for the stock speakers even tho they are the same 6x9 size. The metal frame was different on it, and It couldnt be swapped over to the old speaker frame. They stick up about 3/4 of an inch. And because they didnt fit, none of the holes to screw them down lined up. But, because of the really strong magnent in the speakers it stuck right to the metal. Luckily when I put the rear mat speaker cover piece back on top , you couldnt really tell the speaker was sticking up.

And I got the bass up and they dont make any vibrating sounds from not being screwed down, so I guess I'm happy with my ghetto speaker replacement lol. At least they all function fine, wish it fit correctly tho. But oh well, I guess only I know its not right... so thats why it bugs me.

Good luck!

[Redog]

Getting to the rear speakers is a PIA, but it can be done.

Those Pioneers at Best Buy are the same exact ones I got in my car, I call it my free upgrade, complements of Pepsi (a small bouns that month)