doing a little more reading on the forums. it sounds like the fact that i can hear the tweeter on the right side means the problem is not with the headunit, but definitely the door speaker? does that make sense?
and does anybody have info on the polarity of the speaker terminals, or wiring connector?

 

There are several threads with wiring colors and polarity and pictures. I have pics of the door panels off in my build log. when testing resistance pull the quick connector and wires off the speaker test the terminals. Polarity does not matter when testing the resistance. Stick 1 prob in each terminal. I got 4 stock speakers that work that i pulled out I can test the polarity later and reply.

 

to save time for other folks looking for the wiring info, here it is...

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/show...20&postcount=6

 

Not uncommon. Had both rears replaced under warantee. Replaced my wifes front drivers in her Cobalt just recently.

 

If you use an ohm meter to check your speaker you should get a reading of infinity.

The voice coil is one continuous length of wire wrapped on a form that slides on the magnet.

If you do not get a very high reading the wire is probably broken.

The 4 or 8 ohm rating on speakers is ohms of impedance. You can calculate what your ohms of impedance should be if you know the values of the components in the amplifier your using but,... its a lot of math and its much easier to look it up.

I had my own problems with the stock speakers. You can read my thread here :
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/audio-video-17/stereo-problems-36646/

The original speakers are in some quickly slapped together boxes in the garage with the Clarion stereo driving them out in the garage and are still cranking fine.

I just don't get it. Why do they work fine out there just not in the car.