Some 1982 Cavalier station wagons, equipped with stereo radios, may exhibit distortion at high volume levels or lack of stereo separation.
This condition is the result of wires having been mis-indexed in the rear speaker harness four-way connector in the tailgate, and can be corrected by following the procedure below:
(1) Verify the condition by turning the front-rear speaker control (F-R) full rear. Turn the volume up, and turn the left-right balance control (L-R) back and forth. The sound should be distorted in the center, and get clearer at full left or full right positions. There should be no difference in sound in the two (2) channels (no stereo separation).
(2) Remove the radio. Remove the blue connector (rear speaker wiring) from the radio. Remove the wires from the connectors (Figure 1), and replace as shown in Figure 2. This indexes the speaker wiring to overcome the incorrect wiring in the rear speaker harness.
(3) Replace the radio and verify normal speaker operation.
Labor Operation Number: T0046
Labor Time .4 Hour
General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.