i just picked up a 1996 gle and the one real problem is i have little to no sound in the rear speakers, i say little to none because if i move the fader all the way to the back and blast the music i can kind of hear it.

so is there any troubleshooting i can do before i start ripping things apart?

 

Rip things apart. You'll probably find that the speakers are obviously shot.

 

Best to get a test speaker and simply connect it to the speaker terminal. If it sounds the same your amp or deck are the culprit, if it plays your speaker is toast.

 

Magnet more then likely fell down.

 

Hah, I have had that happen too.