Bose Stereo Question - J30

[mersidoe]

Hope you don't mind me posting this here, instead of the car audio section, but I thought it might be seen by more J30 owners.

My radio (Bose original head unit) seems to have bitten the dust. It went out a few months ago, and I got a lot of good informtion online, but then it started working again! But now it seems to have died for good, and no amount of whacks on the side, or bumpy roads will bring it back.

The problem is, I can't find the information I had found before! I thought it was on this forum, but I've done several searches and can't find the thread.

The basic suggestion was to buy a new head unit on ebay, and then sell the old one to another internet site that had been mentioned, so that the net cost was under a hundred dollars. Does this ring a bell with anyone?

Also, when I was attempting to repair it last time, we had a h*ll if a time getting the woodgrained cover plate off. The instructions said it was difficult, and would take some time, but I was never able to get it off, I was afraid of breaking it. Did I just give up too soon, or is there a trick to it?

Thanks in advance!

[Rex]

Hmmm, lots of unknowns.

Are you planning on staying with Bose?Do you have pics of your dash? (?woodgrain?)Are you looking for In Dash CD?Have you seen this thread?Have you checked out Car Stereo Help?

Sorry for all the questions.

[mersidoe]

Sorry, didn't mean to be so vague.

Yes, I want to repair/replace the original BoseMy dash is the stock one (woodgrain around the unit)The only CD would be the single player that's in the stock head unit.No, that's not the thread I was thinking of.I figured I'd go with "Car Stereo Help" if I can't find the other solution.Hope that helps!

[carlos_knology]

Mersidoe, the trick to removing the wood trim is to use something like a hook tool (you can find one at Sears). http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr...13000

The hard thing about removing the wood trim is that there are two retaining clips holding the thin section at the top of the wood trim (below the clock and AC vents but above your AC controls). The clips are located about 1-1.5 inches from each of the top corners.

Here's how I do it, I pull the bottom of the wood trim (ash tray) towards me. That makes the top of wood trim section tilt towards you a little bit. It tilts enough to get the hook tool under it. With the hook tool in place, I push the ashtray section back down. This is because the retaining clips will not be easy to release if you pull while the bottom of the trim is pulled towards you.

The trick with these retaining clips is to pull straight back (or as straight as possible). Now keep in mind that when installed, the wood trim is already at somewhat of an angle. When I say pull back straight, I don't mean parallel to the ground. Just try to pull back at the same angle the trim is sitting in.

The first time I did it, those dang clips were on REALLY tight. Now that I've removed it so many times, I don't even need the hook tool.

Also, when I first did it, one of the clips came off and it took me a while to find it. I ended up using one of those telescoping magnets to find it.

Don't let this scare you off. It REALLY is quite easy to get that wood trim out.

For illustrated step by step images, see http://carstereohelp.com/stere...o.htm However, I think you've seen those already since you mentioned carstereohelp earlier in the thread.

Good luck.

[mersidoe]

Carlos,

Thank you so much!

Marianne

[pridenJoy]

I have a 97 J30t with the factory BOSE radio. It had the exact same problems that you are describing. I was able to repair the radio myself, but I have extensive experience troubleshooting electronics. If you can get it out of the dash, I may be able to help you repair it. Shoot me an email and we'll talk.

[J-Owner]

You should send it to Factory Car Stereo Repair, same people as Car Stereo Help.

I had the same problems with mine. I sent it to them about a year ago now and they fixed eveyrthing that was wrong with it for about $140 and a two week turn-around. Very professional, and very polite group of people.

I would recommend them to anyone.

Just my 2 cents anyway.

-Brandon

[pridenJoy]

Depending on the problems exhibited by the head unit, it may need to be professionally repaired. My display was working intermittently and all of the power would cut out occasionally. If these are your symptoms, I can perform the same repairs that "Factory Car Stereo Repair" do for around $80 parts/labor. I have repaired my head unit using the same technique and it has worked flawlessly ever since. Bose/Infiniti really should have recalled these head units as it is the same manufacturing flaw that leads to all of these head units acting up. I would recommend leaving the a/c bracket on the head unit though because it is really easy to strip those screws.

[VimyJ]

There is a common problem on the 93 and 94 Js where the short lead to from/to the power source on the unit becomes detached. Cheap fix and known gremlin.

[VimyJ]

The wire solder on the head unit is the problem in most cases I have read.

[driverdriver]

The J's Bose stereo was not manufactured by Bose but rather by Clarion. Mine went a number of years ago, I bypassed the Infiniti dealer and took it to a Clarion Canada's service depot. I belive they only charged me something like $30 to fix and the unit is still working.