Why do my new speakers smell like fish?

I just got new Sony door speakers for my truck and installed one, but I’ve been having trouble. It only works if my window is halfway down. On top of that, while driving to work, the truck smelled like fish. Has anyone had this happen before?

Sounds like a loose connection. When the window moves, it might be just enough to get the speaker working. How did you hook the new speaker into the truck’s wiring?

Vesper said:
Sounds like a loose connection. When the window moves, it might be just enough to get the speaker working. How did you hook the new speaker into the truck’s wiring?

I just connected the wires directly, using crimps and some electrical tape. The speaker wires are way too long, so I plan to cut them shorter and redo it. Should I be worried about a fire starting?

@Mai
You’re probably okay, but it’s better to fix it sooner rather than later. Loose connections can cause problems, and while this is low power, fires usually start from bad wiring. If you have extra wire, that’s fine, just make sure it’s secured so it doesn’t get caught in the door mechanisms. When crimping, make sure the connection is super solid—give it a good tug to check. And yeah, a rushed job can lead to issues. Take your time and do it right!

@Vesper
I completely removed the speaker on the passenger side because it wouldn’t connect properly. I crimped the wires and covered them to make sure there aren’t any exposed wires causing issues.

Mai said:
@Vesper
I completely removed the speaker on the passenger side because it wouldn’t connect properly. I crimped the wires and covered them to make sure there aren’t any exposed wires causing issues.

Good call. Bare wires can damage your radio, and replacements aren’t cheap. It sounds like you’re on the right track, just need to be a bit more careful. I’ve rushed projects before too, and it always ends up with more work later. Now, after a few upgrades and some patience, I’ve got a setup I’m proud of. People even think I had it done professionally, but I’m just a YouTube learner!

@Vesper
I definitely rushed this time. I started late in the day, and by the time it got dark, my fiancé and I were out there with flashlights, frustrated and cursing. Thanks for the advice—this weekend I’ll take everything out and redo it properly during daylight.

@Vesper
I’m planning to take everything apart and secure the wires until I can get some help this weekend. It rained today, and for a moment, I thought water might’ve gotten into the door because I didn’t secure everything properly when I put it back together.

Vesper said:
Sounds like a loose connection. When the window moves, it might be just enough to get the speaker working. How did you hook the new speaker into the truck’s wiring?

I connected the wires directly, using crimps and electrical tape to secure them.