Hello, I'm new here, but have helped others on other forums regarding other topics and am now looking for cross-forum pay back, if that's ok.

I just bought a 2003 Spyder GT Convertible which is 100% stock. An older gentlemen owned it, and he passed away a few weeks ago. His wife didn't know very much about it, but here's the story:

When I looked at it, it was flooded with fresh water due to extensive storms which came through this area last week (Pensacola tornadoes, and all). She says that it had always been dry, and that the stereo worked when she last drove it. I found the leak below the rear window, and have fixed it (I hope).

PROBLEM: The stereo turns on, tunes, shifts from FM1 to FM2, AM, CD and back, but it doesn't create any sound. There is nothing coming from the speakers. There is no static, music, nada. The steering wheel controls work as well. I checked two fuses, one in the engine bay and one inside the driver's door - they're good. When I pulled the fuses, the system did go off as expected, and back on when I replaced them - no apparent need for the security code or anything. Where should I start? Pull the amp? Dry it out? Take it to a electronic repair store? Is there a humidity protection circuit?

Side note: There is an error code for the CD player (E-03), and it doesn't like to eject CD's, but can be convinced to do so - dirty?

The car is completely dried out now, but there was standing water in the floor boards.

THANKS! in advance,

John

I found my original problem, now have a new dilemma - The amp is corroded beyond recognition. My guess is that this car had been leaking for a while. The plug that goes into the amp is not in great shape either.

What should I do? Replace the amp and wire a new plug in, or replace the head unit and wire the new one to the speakers? Is this system that great? I've never heard one.

Anyone with upgrades have a spare amp for an '03 lying around?

best to save some money and buy aftermarket equipment (even if you can still use the HU its best to replace it). you will notice a huge difference between stock stuff and aftermarket products in the sq and spl.

Yes, and you will want to get new speakers cause those stock ones can't handle the power that an aftermarket amp will give them.

Thanks,

I'm looking at an Alpine HU with MP3 and Ipod cap's, but it's only 18 watts. I'm going to be ok with that. I'm not going to put a lot of money into this car to make it go boom, but I would like a nice, clean sound system.

What will I lose by going aftermarket?

Steering controls - gone (That's ok, at least they're hidden)
Upper display screen - blank (I'm considering leaving the old HU hooked up for the clock!)
Anything else? Auto-locks? security of any kind?

actually if you get the right HU you won't lose any of that. we are currently in the process of putting a pioneer avic z2 into a 04 tahoe z71. if you have every seen the inside of this car it has every electronic possible and we have harnesses for all of them. the harnesses aren't cheap but you won't lose any steering wheel control or security features
but yes like bobthecow said you chould definitely get new speakers

but most of the time the HU doesn't effect many other things in the car in most cars that aren't 05 or newer

An aftermarket head unit does usually have a clock you know. But you might lose the steering controls, you really don't need them anyways. I mean, honestly, is it so hard to turn a knob? Your power locks, windows, everything else will still work, your security system should be fine, although I know chevy did something where you have to buy a special harness from them.

Oh, and btw, order that stuff either from sonicelectronix.com or crutchfield.com. Much better prices, much better service.