Hi all. I'm up to about 145,000 miles on the '91 Q. Today, a lot of things went on the fritz. It started a few days ago when my left front speaker started buzzing and crackling. I thought, of course, that it was dying and had every intention of replacing it this weekend.
Today thought, it really buzzed loud, to the point where I had to shut off the radio. I then noticed that I had a "tail light inoperative" warning and that the dahsboard illumination didn't come on when I switched on the lights.
I'll check the fuses tomorrow and the bulbs but obviously, something is not working right here. Any ideas off the top of your heads?
Electrical system failing?
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Q451990
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Sounds like two very common but unrelated problems.
1-Speaker buzz. Bad Bose Amp. Bose will rebuild these for you at no charge since your car was in the rear amp recall years. Check to see if the rear amps have already been replaced. If not you can ship all at the same time. You'll be amazed at the difference in sound quality when everything works correctly! Do a search for "Bose" and you'll find one or two lengthy threads about this.
2-Tail Light Inoperative Warning. Check for signs of overheating at the rear bulbs. Clean the sockets or replace the socket assemblies as necessary. It's not unusual to have a short there that will take out the fuse that feeds the tail lights (and your dash illumination) - so check your fuses. Use only OEM or Sylvania LL bulbs for best results. Cheaper aftermarket bulbs tend to pull more current and cause the problems you describe.
Good luck!
Heath
1-Speaker buzz. Bad Bose Amp. Bose will rebuild these for you at no charge since your car was in the rear amp recall years. Check to see if the rear amps have already been replaced. If not you can ship all at the same time. You'll be amazed at the difference in sound quality when everything works correctly! Do a search for "Bose" and you'll find one or two lengthy threads about this.
2-Tail Light Inoperative Warning. Check for signs of overheating at the rear bulbs. Clean the sockets or replace the socket assemblies as necessary. It's not unusual to have a short there that will take out the fuse that feeds the tail lights (and your dash illumination) - so check your fuses. Use only OEM or Sylvania LL bulbs for best results. Cheaper aftermarket bulbs tend to pull more current and cause the problems you describe.
Good luck!
Heath
Looking through the service records, therte is an entry regarding a "Bose TSB" so I imagine that this must be the recall in question. The radio/CD player, however is a JVC I got installed years ago because the Bose didn't have a CD player and the tape player was broken.
The folks that installed the system did also include a "crossover" so that the speakers would be compatible with the new JVC player. In the four years since I hadn't had any problems until now.
Could it be just the speaker blowing out? Every other speaker seems to work OK. I took the grill off and took a quick look. There was some reddish discoloration on the speaker itself. Don't know if the others look the same since I didn't check.
I also checked all the fuses both inside (next to the brake release) and in the engine compartment and they are all fine. The dashboard light is out and both taillight bulbs do not light up even though the bulbs look fine. Brake lights work fine.
I don't like the looks of this....
The folks that installed the system did also include a "crossover" so that the speakers would be compatible with the new JVC player. In the four years since I hadn't had any problems until now.
Could it be just the speaker blowing out? Every other speaker seems to work OK. I took the grill off and took a quick look. There was some reddish discoloration on the speaker itself. Don't know if the others look the same since I didn't check.
I also checked all the fuses both inside (next to the brake release) and in the engine compartment and they are all fine. The dashboard light is out and both taillight bulbs do not light up even though the bulbs look fine. Brake lights work fine.
I don't like the looks of this....
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Q451990
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How about the front running lights? I'd check the fuses again - or it could be a bad headlamp switch (rare) or dimmer control (rare) or relay (also rare). I'd still very carefully check all four bulbs in the rear assemblies. I've heard of the sensor causing problems when they fail, but that's (you guessed it) rare too.
As far as the audio, you'll have to figure out if they're still using the Bose amps with the ohm adptor, or if they're bypassed altogether. I suspect it's an amp though. It should just sound distorted if it's the speaker. Remember that each speaker assembly has it's own amp.
Heath
As far as the audio, you'll have to figure out if they're still using the Bose amps with the ohm adptor, or if they're bypassed altogether. I suspect it's an amp though. It should just sound distorted if it's the speaker. Remember that each speaker assembly has it's own amp.
Heath
The front running lights are working fine. I'll recheck the fuses but doubt it would be that since I checked all the fuses and they all seem to be OK. I'll also replace the tail lamps and see if that makes a difference.
As far as the left front speaker, any idea how much it would cost to get that fixed/replaced? After looking at it, it seems that they'll have to take that out to at least take a look at it. I know Infiniti can charge quite a bit and the local Bose dealer told me that I would have to take it there to get it fixed...
As far as the left front speaker, any idea how much it would cost to get that fixed/replaced? After looking at it, it seems that they'll have to take that out to at least take a look at it. I know Infiniti can charge quite a bit and the local Bose dealer told me that I would have to take it there to get it fixed...
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Q451990
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Use the search button at the top of the page and seach for Bose Amps. You'll find instructions on getting the fronts rebuilt by Bose at no charge.
If the front lights are working, but no rears, and no interior, I think it's related to the sensor that controls the "tail light inoperative" message on the dash. Do you have the service manual? At this point it's probably one of those things where you just trace it from the front to the back of the car with a multimeter.
Heath
If the front lights are working, but no rears, and no interior, I think it's related to the sensor that controls the "tail light inoperative" message on the dash. Do you have the service manual? At this point it's probably one of those things where you just trace it from the front to the back of the car with a multimeter.
Heath
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Q451990
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The recall was definately for 1991 and not for 1990. I think it may have covered the 1992 model year too, but I'm not sure on that one.
I have the entire 1991 system in my 1990 - bought the speaker/amp assemblies first as a set, then realized that I needed to swap the head unit too due to different line levels. Worked out well - it already had new amps in the rear, and now new fronts... Pretty cost effective that way.
Heath
I have the entire 1991 system in my 1990 - bought the speaker/amp assemblies first as a set, then realized that I needed to swap the head unit too due to different line levels. Worked out well - it already had new amps in the rear, and now new fronts... Pretty cost effective that way.
Heath
I have the service manual but am no mechanic. I know the sensor is located in the trunk so it may be that this is one one the problems going on. As far as interior lights, it is only the dashboard that doesn't light up. All the other lights work fine.
As far as the amps are concerned, the rear amps were replaced in 1999 when the recall was issued. I'll check with the dealership reagarding the front amps since it definitely sounds like the amp is on the fritz now. Sometimes it "pops" when the radio is turned on and sometimes there's a high-pitch sound coming out.
Since I'm no mechanic (or electrician for that matter), I don't want to mess around and make things worse. I'll probably be trading in the car or selling it within the next 3-4 months anyways.
As far as the amps are concerned, the rear amps were replaced in 1999 when the recall was issued. I'll check with the dealership reagarding the front amps since it definitely sounds like the amp is on the fritz now. Sometimes it "pops" when the radio is turned on and sometimes there's a high-pitch sound coming out.
Since I'm no mechanic (or electrician for that matter), I don't want to mess around and make things worse. I'll probably be trading in the car or selling it within the next 3-4 months anyways.
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Q451990
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cbeaudry wrote:As far as the amps are concerned, the rear amps were replaced in 1999 when the recall was issued. I'll check with the dealership reagarding the front amps since it definitely sounds like the amp is on the fritz now. Sometimes it "pops" when the radio is turned on and sometimes there's a high-pitch sound coming out.
Defintely sounds like the typical amp failure. Your dealership is probably unaware of the free front amp rebuilds - I didn't hear of it until they offered it to me. Check that thread and you'll see how to contact Bose directly.
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natsoundup
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Well, the interior light/tail light issue was resolved and it was, in fact, just the fuse that blew. I had missed checking that fuse since it is one of those four installed vertically in the left-hand side of the fuse box.
As far as the speakers, I plan to send both front speakers to Bose since the left one is completely dead and the right one sounds like it might be dying soon also. There is no "bass" eminating from it and sounds very "tinny."
I couldn't find the place in the service manual that tells me how to remove the door assembly covering the speaker. I take it that I have to remove the interior panel that covers the speaker creates the door's storage compartment. Is this something I just pull off? Or is there a particular procedure listed in the service manual? If it is, I couldn't find it.
Thanks for the help all. Like I said before, I'm no mechanic....
As far as the speakers, I plan to send both front speakers to Bose since the left one is completely dead and the right one sounds like it might be dying soon also. There is no "bass" eminating from it and sounds very "tinny."
I couldn't find the place in the service manual that tells me how to remove the door assembly covering the speaker. I take it that I have to remove the interior panel that covers the speaker creates the door's storage compartment. Is this something I just pull off? Or is there a particular procedure listed in the service manual? If it is, I couldn't find it.
Thanks for the help all. Like I said before, I'm no mechanic....
Well, I called Bose this morning and I told them of my problems with the speakers. As hard I as tried to get the freebie job for the front speakers, it wouldn't fly since the guy kept telling me that the recall was only for the back speakers. Maybe they decided not to offer the "free" rebuild for the front speakers anymore...
So, the speakers will cost me $75 each to get repaired. Now, I just have to wait for the RMA label to get here and then I'll ship them in. Turnaround time is 3-4 weeks.
So, the speakers will cost me $75 each to get repaired. Now, I just have to wait for the RMA label to get here and then I'll ship them in. Turnaround time is 3-4 weeks.
You're going to love this....
Well, I got the speakers out and am sending them to Bose to get the amps repaired. Dismantling the car door was a piece of cake after I saw the procedure.
I replaced the fuse for the dash lights and everything was working fine until tonight.
Now, the dash lights only come on if I press on the brake pedal. It doesn't matter whether or not the headlights are on or not. Whenever I press on the brakes, the dash lights come on. If I don't, they are off.
In other words, the only way I can check how fast I'm going at night is if I press on the brakes. Even during the day, when the headlights are off, the dash lights will come on when I press on the brakes.
Interesting, no? Any ideas?
I replaced the fuse for the dash lights and everything was working fine until tonight.
Now, the dash lights only come on if I press on the brake pedal. It doesn't matter whether or not the headlights are on or not. Whenever I press on the brakes, the dash lights come on. If I don't, they are off.
In other words, the only way I can check how fast I'm going at night is if I press on the brakes. Even during the day, when the headlights are off, the dash lights will come on when I press on the brakes.
Interesting, no? Any ideas?
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Q45tech
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"I have the service manual but am no mechanic"
What would being a mechanic have to do with trouble shooting electrical or electronic devices. They are mutually exclusive!
Number one problem in industry today automotive technicans are not trained very well to deal with electronics.They are not electonic technicans nor computer technicans nor software designers.
Soon vehicles will be repaired/diagnosed by teams of technicans at $200 an hour and consulting specialist may be called in.......the dealerships will just be for triage/emergency room and your cars will wait weeks for appointments and may be sent to the equivalent of the MAYO Clinic...........don't think it isn't happening now!...........module after module gets swapped until the problem goes away.
What would being a mechanic have to do with trouble shooting electrical or electronic devices. They are mutually exclusive!
Number one problem in industry today automotive technicans are not trained very well to deal with electronics.They are not electonic technicans nor computer technicans nor software designers.
Soon vehicles will be repaired/diagnosed by teams of technicans at $200 an hour and consulting specialist may be called in.......the dealerships will just be for triage/emergency room and your cars will wait weeks for appointments and may be sent to the equivalent of the MAYO Clinic...........don't think it isn't happening now!...........module after module gets swapped until the problem goes away.
Two good things....
First, Bose fixed the speakers in a week (not the 4-6 weeks they warn about) and I'll be getting them back shortly. Total cost $150.
Second, I had a friend help me check out the electrical problem I was having with the dash. He knew how to interpret those schematics in the manual. Well, lo and behold, the problem was in the lighter socket in the front ashtray. I had my phone power cord plugged in there and for some reason it was creating a short that blew out the fuses as soon as they were put in there.
I had gotten the ashtray from a junk yard years ago since the one that was in the car originally no longer closed.
So problem solved. I just don't use that socket anymore....Now everything works fine. Total cost $0.
I wonder how much it would have cost me if I would have brought the car to the dealership....
First, Bose fixed the speakers in a week (not the 4-6 weeks they warn about) and I'll be getting them back shortly. Total cost $150.
Second, I had a friend help me check out the electrical problem I was having with the dash. He knew how to interpret those schematics in the manual. Well, lo and behold, the problem was in the lighter socket in the front ashtray. I had my phone power cord plugged in there and for some reason it was creating a short that blew out the fuses as soon as they were put in there.
I had gotten the ashtray from a junk yard years ago since the one that was in the car originally no longer closed.
So problem solved. I just don't use that socket anymore....Now everything works fine. Total cost $0.
I wonder how much it would have cost me if I would have brought the car to the dealership....