Probably not the right place for this, but owell.


My head unit just seemed to stop working today, for no reason, was working fine and then shutoff and wouldnt turn back on. I cant figure out whats wrong with it. Any one have any ideas, really stinks cuz i had to put in an aftermarket one that i have to shut off separate from the car. I feel like a bum!!!!!

Plz help!!, and if its broken, does anyone have a headunit laying around for cheap, or feeling like a good samaritan and jsut want to give away for the shipping!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Guys

 

fuse?

 

fuse

 

nope, i checked all fuses, and as much wiring as was readily available. It really stinks tho. Any other ideas?

 

Should somebody come up with a factory head unit, I'd really appreciate any leads on a set of used Harmon/Kardon speakers for an '03; at the very least I need a pair of the 6.5" speakers.
Thanks.

 

act quickly
complete harmon/kardon system

 

Did you check the FUSE in the BACK of the radio?? IT is a Mini (not being smart) fuse. It is a 10 AMP. If it's gone then you have a short somewhere maybe? replace it and leave the radio out and turn on (does not need the key) and try it. I would also ask if you put in an aftermarket radio (sounds like you have done this before??) did you splice the wires??? When you put the factory back after that?

If you are going to get a new replacement factory (I assume you have the MFSW controls?) radio I would opt for a 2006 unit as they can play MP3 burned CD's as well as have the capability for aux function for MP3 connection.

Good Luck

Regards


Scott.

 

HOLY CRAP!!! ITS A DREAM COME TRUE!!!

- one question: how compatible are the parts? they drive an '06 and I've go an '03. I bounced some of the part numbers off my stuff and there's a few differences in the last couple of digits. (p.s. I was looking for a head unit also) So, ideally, I should be ok if I just strip the entire system sans wires and replace it with this one... any ideas???

 

Well, first off, no I haven't done this before. Second of all, the fuse is still good.

my situation all started when i blew one of the 6.5" speakers. While looking for a used pair to replace them, my entire system went kaput. When I turn the stereo on (completely stock Harmon/Kardon), all I hear are random 'pops' coming out of all of the speakers one at a time. I think if a fuse was blown not even that would be happening right?
-- Also, MFSW controls???

 

You mean burned as data? My '02 HU can play burned music, but not data mp3. I have the aux too.


My guess, and its only a guess, is that it would work - since it is the whole system. The only issue I foresee is an incompatible wiring harness. They aren't selling the harness. The H/K system might have different connectors than the standard system. But, since they are parting the car, you might email him about that, but odds are it is already cut and hacked to bits.

edit: i see you already have the H/K, so this thing should just plug right in... Don't quote me on that...

 

It will work fine. I just put in the SAME radio in my 02 MCS and I made my own AUX input adapter for my MP3 and it works GREAT!!!!

I also tried my MP3 file CD (over 200 songs) and it played them all fine. I have MANY burned CD's like this (as backup) and it plays any of them.
This kit on e-bay has the extra speakers and amp. I'd jump on it if I didn't just get this radio. The only issue I can see is with the rear 6X9's removal and install, it would seem to be a PITA....

It's a nice upgrade too in looks to the 02-03 radio. If you have MFSW will work perfectly.

Good Luck.


Regards

Scott.

 

ve3hzz, you are as awesome as your great information. Thank you!

 

That question seemed to slip through the cracks -

MFSW = Multi-Function Steering Wheel.

(basically, it means that you have stereo controls on the steering wheel)

 

MULTI-FUNCTION-STEERING-WHEEL

If you have cruise control (I think that's how it goes) you get the function buttons (2002-2003) on the back of the steering wheel.

I didn't read your original post regards that you already have HK system.

From reading it again, it would seem that you can turn your radio on? but just no sound? or simply popping sound? is that correct?

If you have popping sound only and the radio will turn ON it MAY be your AMP. I am not familar with the HK system but does the AMP itself have it's own built in fuse? Since you said you can install an aftermarket radio and it plays, is this when using an adapter kit to the original wiring? if So are there ANY (again no HK here)unused connectors, that MAY go to the AMP??
I've had issues in past with AMP's zapping and caused this as it is the final amplifier and the output signal from the radio goes through this to the speakers. If it does not work (for whatever reason) then no sound.

If think if you have HK now and purchased that one off e-bay it would work fine, as the wiring from what I can tell for radio's did not change from 2002-2006. Can't say the same for 2007- but they have different radio configurations so could see them having different plugs etc. Others who know those can chime in.

Regards

Scott.

 

Except for the differences in the convertible (smaller rear speakers and different mounting tabs on the amp since it's under the seat rather than in the back of the car), all of the H/K components are interchangeable across the 2002-2006 models.

The ability for the head unit to display text and play MP3 files started around 2005. You can easily tell the newer head units because the volume **** is larger than the earlier head units and is fluted.

 

Thank you ve3hzz!

Well first of all my current system is still completely stock, and I've got no experience with car audio except for taking my head unit out the other day. Also, I've learned thru various sources (including NAM) that the stock H/K system is totally incompatible with any aftermarket product. It's basically all or nothing with this thing. (As in, you replace factory parts with factory parts or you gut the entire system including wiring if you want to go after-market) Lots of ugly details as to why but after I read the same stuff on about 10 different threads I started to believe it all.

Also, I googled 'MFSW' (what a concept!) and figured it out.

Thank you

 

Well, you wouldn't really have to gut all the wiring to go with an aftermarket amp & speakers for the H/K system, but it's definitely not as easy as just plugging in new H/K parts.

Fortunately, the H/K system is a pretty nice setup for a factory radio (my wife and I have it in both of our convertibles). The one annoying thing we've noticed about it is that the maximum volume it will put out is drastically reduced if you set the "BASS" and/or "TREBLE" controls very far from the middle setting.

 

Well I agree with that second paragraph for sure ScottRiqui.

However, after doing all of the research on this (forums, car audio stores, crutchfield) I found out that the speaker wires are not compatible with after-market systems because they run a 2ohm impedance while %95 of all after-market systems have 4ohm. Basically, it sounds like the wires are too whimpy to handle anything else. Again, I'm definitely not an expert but this is just what I've figured out thru extensive research.

 

Random 'pops' = blown amp

Don't bother replacing the whole system until you've tried replacing the amp.

 

blown amp eh?

Well I've gotten to the point where I wouldn't mind spending a couple hundred on a 'slightly used' entire system from eBay and just install it all myself. Like I said, I definitely blew a speaker too. It's either that or pay somewhere between $1,000 to $1,500 on a Bose/Alpine/Pioneer system.

But, it is nice to know that random 'pops' means a blown amp... If this eBay thing gets too expensive, I'll have to reconsider just getting an amp and a set of speakers only.

 

Actually, delivering power to a 2Ω speaker requires 40% *more* current than delivering that same amount of power to a 4Ω speaker, so if anything, the wiring in the H/K system would be beefier than the wiring for a system from another manufacturer that uses 4Ω speakers driven to the same power level.

And while most automotive speakers are still 4Ω, there are plenty of 2Ω choices out there as well. As an example, the Infinity "Kappa" line includes several 2Ω models in appropriate sizes for the MINI. So even if you fix all of your problems with a new H/K amp, you can still improve the sound by going with some good aftermarket speakers.

 

Gotcha. Well, like I said I'm really not too smart in this particular matter so I thank you for that info. I didn't really ever think car audio was this involved.

And that's why we forums!!!

 

Like you say, that's how we learn. I've been into car audio for 25+ years, and I still don't know *why* some car audio systems use 2Ω speakers while others use 4Ω speakers. Thankfully, there are tens of millions of cars out there with Bose and other factory systems that use 2Ω speakers, so the aftermarket has stepped up to the plate with quality drop-in replacements. Way back in the day when factory premium stereo systems and 2Ω speakers first started getting popular, there were virtually no suitable substitutes in the aftermarket.