Need help with head unit problem - BMW Forum

tbhtjd · 06-13-2006, 12:12 PM

I installed an aftermarket RCA head unit in my car about a year ago and it has worked fine. I installed 2 new amps about 8 months ago and they have worked well. I recently uninstalled a digital music jukebox I had connected to the CD changer input to make room for my ipod.

Ever since then, the audio out RCAs have been messed up. Nothing will play unless I jiggle the RCA cables from the audio out ports on the head unit. I keep adjusting the RCA cables until they work, but as soon as I reinstall the head unit, the same problem comes up again.

Alright if that made any sense... could it be a problem with the head unit or possibly the cables? Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

-Tim

da_bull · 06-13-2006, 04:46 PM

Grab another set of RCAs, run them over the top of the seat, install the headunit, see of that fixes your problem. If it does, you have bad cables, if it doesnt, you have an issue with the jacks in your headunit.

Just a silly thing, are your amps still on whenever this happens? I was wondering if your remote turn on connection is possibly making/breaking connection. Kinda strange for all 4 (I am assuming 4) RCAs to quit at once. Just food for thought. Hope this helps...

tbhtjd · 06-13-2006, 05:23 PM

Thanks for the quick reply...

As I started to put in a new temporary set of RCA cables I decided to try the old ones one more time. I found that they worked fine with the head unit out of its spot in the dash. However, when pushed beyond half way into the dash, the sound would cut out. Leaving the music on I managed to fit the head unit in and adjust the cables so the sound stayed on. I am going to see if this lasts and if not then try the other set of cables.

Also, seeing the shotty job I did wiring the remote turn on wire made me think that could be the culprit, but the RCA connections seemed a more logical culprit considering the sound cuts out when the head unit is inserted into the cramped dash. Anyway, thanks again and I'll keep you posted.

-Tim

da_bull · 06-14-2006, 05:15 AM

No problem, lemme know what you figure out. RCAs are pretty delicate cables, so I am pretty sure they are the problem, but I just wanted to throw out some additional places to look. If they are bent pretty hard and/or setting against some air ducts or something similar behind the dash, RCA cables can break easy over time with vibration and such. Good luck...