94 Q45 Cd changer won't come in, what's wrong??

[Q45dude]

Hi,

My 94 Q45 sony 10 disc cd changer does not come on when I press the 'CD button' on the radio. Fuses are all ok, what other possible things should I be looking at?I used to get the CD error message on the radio but now not even that comes on.

Thanks

[Rex]

I don't have one in my Q, but disconnecting the battery over-night seems to help solve some random electronic gremlins.

[xekushnr]

it sounds like the unit may have gone bad. if you can source another one, try swapping it in and see if it will play. also, if there is a reset button anywhere on the unit (most likely not, but just in case) then give it a push.

[SeattleQ45]

Hi,

...I used to get the CD error message on the radio but now not even that comes on.

Thanks

A number of 94 owners have had the CD Error message problem. When that happens, the unit usually needs to be power cycled, either by removing the connector at the back corner of the unit (between the player and right side of the truck), or by disconnecting the battery. Either way works, but the battery cables are easier to get to and less likely to brake (my connector on the CD player is now damaged from disconnecting it too many times).

As for the no message problem you have now, I don't know what to tell you.

[maxnix]

It must not be "visible" to the head unit. Check your connections.

It may be time to refurbish it.

[renkema]

You knew a lot about my engine, so here goes a question on the cd changer.

I currently do not have a cd changer in my '97 Q45t. I'm trying to use the cd inputs on the radio for my IPOD. I can see with the attached from the FSM what wires are the inputs. However, there are other connections that I do not understand (REQ, TXD, RXD).

However, before I start rewiring, I want to make sure that I can even do this. When I'm in the car with the radio on, I push the cd changer button and NOTHING happens. That makes me think 1) that portion of the radio no longer works or 2) in order for it to work the changer has to be connected. If it is #2, I'm back to the wiring problem. In other words, what is the connection to tell the radio that it "sees" a device and will allow the "cd changer" button to change the radio input to cd changer (and hence my ipod)

[qsiguy]

I've tried to duplicate the cd signal on my '94 Q and wasn't successful. We found some possible circuits that were supposed to work but I couldn't source the proper IC's. We since figured out a way to use an available AUX input through an 8 pin DIN plug on the back of the 94 radio. Can you post the diagram you have for the '97 and/or a photo of the back of the radio. We might be able to make an adapter that will work. I make DIN to RCA and DIN to iPod adapters for the '94-96 models and I'm sure it'll probably work on some other models but don't know at this point.