njacobss

1997 lexus ls400 pioneer radio. I want to replace my stock subwoofer. The subwoofer currently plays super super softly on any volume.. I have heard I can replace it with a ten inch and use the same wires. Since the sub plays super super softly and I see signs of a hackjob for the sub (multiple random screwholes.. and regular screws holding it in) Im wondering if the amplifier was bypassed or broke. (Can it be bypassed?).. I do not have a multimeter to check the wires so I would hate to buy a sub and plug it in and have it barely work... so if the sub plays a little - even barely can I be sure that the wires are good?

njacobss

Please bump I need an answer!!

deanshark

I'd say you should buy a multimeter. You can get one cheap for around $10. Probably not the only time you're gonna need it. A good, cheap, investment.
Even though you hear light noise from the sub, that does NOT mean the wiring is good.

LScowboyLS

you can get this Equus Innova multimeter at any Walmart or Amazon and it is great for troubleshooting car audio, I have one and it is very accurate and reliable!

LScowboyLS

also, if it is not the factory head unit, and the previous owner did not know what he was doing, he replaced the head unit not realizing the sub information is multiplexed and the sub is no longer receiving its inputs from the amp

solution = beatsonic magic black box

this is far more likely than a failed subwoofer if the head unit is not the original that came with the car.

LEXUSA400

Have you looked at the subwoofer? I'd pull the cover/grill off and see what the cone and surround look like. If either are disintegrated that would explain your lack of bass performance.

I'm not sure what you could actually check with a multimeter. If the woofer is making some sound then the wiring is somewhat intact and the ohm meter will show continuity, maybe even low resistance.