Description: I noticed this yesterday, and it's the first-time it has happened. I returned home form the store during pouring rain and unloaded groceries. I got in my truck, put the key in the ignition, and turned it to the battery position. All the normal lights, indicators, and devices came on, including the radio and speakers blaring music. I cranked the truck, and I no longer had any music coming from the speakers. The radio would flick through stations and seemed to function properly, and all the other devices and lights in the cab were working fine. I tried turning the volume up and down, no effect. So then I turned the truck off, waited a bit, and tried my steps again.

I put the key in the ignition and turned it to the battery position. Speakers worked fine again, no crackling, popping, or any other odd noises; just music. Cranked the engine, the music ceased again. I was running late, so I decided to worry about it later.

About thirty minutes into the drive, the speakers began working again for about 30 seconds before fading out again. This happened about four times before going out again. I noticed also that when I was slowing down to a red light, pushing on the breaks would cause them to work. They worked during the forward G-forces of stopping, but when hitting the gas again, the backward G-forces caused them to stop. So I thought, "Loose wire?" But to be honest, I know very little about the electrical systems in the truck.

Could something that wasn't supposed to have gotten wet during the storms yesterday caused it? Even after drying out after the storms, it seems to still have this problem. NOTE: This is a stock radio system and speakers.

Summary:

1. Speakers work when truck is not cranked, stop once cranked.
2. Radio and all other electronics work just fine.
3. Speakers intermittently work while driving and during breaking.
4. Problems started after driving through downpour of rain.

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2005 Ford Ranger XL, 2.3L 4-cyl, automatic transmission, regular cab, basic stock package.
Purchased used 01/15/2012 with 91,000+ miles.
Mileage averaging 19 mpg (city) / 21 mpg (highway).

Yes, sounds like somehow your speaker plug on back of the stereo (head) is loose. I am assuming it is the stock system.

I had the same problem at point. I thought it was water too. It turned out to me that the wire plug in behind the radio loosened up a little bit. I just pulled the radio out push the wires back and was good to go.

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05 XLT Limited 4x4 4.0L
4'' Superlift Suspension
33'' MasterCraft A/T2 Tires.
Full Chrome goRhino Grill-guard
Custom Built Front Shaft