Date:         Fri, 3 Oct 2003 09:16:37 -0400
Reply-To:     David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
Subject:      Re: Definitive on the 87 not using a common ground for rear
              speakers
Comments: To: Tim Beidel <tbeidel@MAINE.RR.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <BDELKJNNAONJGIPFALPKKEBPCJAA.tbeidel@maine.rr.com>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

On Thu, 2 Oct 2003, Tim Beidel wrote:

> Others have said I should use a VOM to check for myself. If I had a VOM (a
> voltage ohm meter?), what should I look for? How do I use one to test these
> wires? (I am sure I can borrow one from somebody).

Identify the pair of wires from each speaker, then simply test between
each wire in one pair and both wires in the other pair.  There should be
no connection between any two wires that don't go to the same speaker
(i.e., infinite resistance if you keep your fingers off the probes).  If
you put the probes across the two wires that go to the same speaker,
you'll read a low resistance, probably between 3 and 16 ohms.

If the grounds *are* connected together in back (and I don't know why
they'd do this if they're already running four wires) then you may be able
to find the connection point and cut it.


David Brodbeck, N8SRE
'82 Diesel Westfalia
'94 Honda Civic Si