J30 Stereo broken?

[Faid]

So I recently picked up a J30t, in pretty good condition, but the stereo seems to be non-functional. The lights illuminate, but nothing turns on regardless of the button presses. Someone suggested to me that I may need a certain security CD that allows it to operate, but I haven't found anything like that in the manual, and the stereo won't grab my CDs anyways. Should I just buy a new one?

[StevieRaySTL]

-- Seems like everyone's had the Bose head unit shoot craps. My Cd function was shot when I bought mine, and the tape player died shortly thereafter, so I bought a Sony head unit & Boston Acoustic/Pioneer speaks. If you wanna stay stock in that department look for part-outs on here, there have been a few recently. GL.

[driverdriver]

Faid welcome to NICO!!!

The Bose units are problematic, especially with age. You options are a working part out from this forum, a working part out from Ebay, a rebuilt unit from an Infiniti dealer or aftermarket.

[Faid]

Is it possible it's not just a burnt out fuse, or a missing theft code?

[misfit6794]

I had sort of the same problem. My cd player would accept cd's and a tape was stuck in it. Sometimes it would take a couple minutes for the sound to actually come out. You can grab a rebuilt one for 150-200 on ebay. I have the bose speakers for really cheap if you need those too.

[crossbones668]

The Bose unit is really not a very good system. I have been working with variuos high-end stereo systems for years, and Bose mostly rides on their legacy. They used to make good stuff, but not anymore. The system is not worth rebuilding, and the newer systems cost about the same, play more formats, including usb sticks, and have a better amp system. Also, the cones on the Bose speakers start getting brittle after eight or nine years, and much better speakers with central mosfet amp controls are available.

[Faid]

Checked the fuse, no issue. Bought a replacement unit off ebay for $40.

[96J30]

a rebuilt unit from an Infiniti dealer

I called Infiniti on this one last week. $2000 for a replacement stereo (my CD player doesn't work) and apparently, there was a replacement program, but my car doesn't fall in the VIN range to qualify They said there are a few places that car repair them. Worth it?

[StevieRaySTL]

I called Infiniti on this one last week. $2000 for a replacement stereo

-- Never heard of that VIN # replacement prog. It's a shame how it's legal for buisnesses to rape consumers. This gives a new meaning to 'stealership'. I think I dropped just over 6 bills on my Sony/Pioneer/B. Acoustics system, and it owns the Bose crap, now it's five times louder and sound is more crisp.

[driverdriver]

Replacements can't be $2k. They dealers up here sell reconditioned units with warranty for around $150(Canadian).

Call up our sponsor everythinginfiniti.com.

[96J30]

Replacements can't be $2k. They dealers up here sell reconditioned units with warranty for around $150(Canadian).

Call up our sponsor everythinginfiniti.com.

I know, that seemed like a ridiculous price to me too. Maybe he meant to replace it with a new one?I'm considering getting something aftermarket (even though I like the stock look inside the car).

[dcat151]

Unless you just really want to have the stock look, I'd recommend checking out an aftermarket stereo. They're not too hard to install, and with the proper pocket kit don't look bad (in my opinion). (There's a thread I started a little bit ago with a picture of my car with an aftermarket stereo.) For the money, an aftermarket stereo is probably better than one of the Bose units.

[96J30]

I'm thinking about going aftermarket, maybe a double-din stereo. All depends on what I can afford. It sucks not being able to listen to CDs and having to use a tape adapter for my iPod. and, I live in the middle of nowhere, so all I get is country stations

[J-Owner]

If you want to keep it stock, check out carstereohelp.com

I had them repair my stock clarion unit about five years ago when I had my J and they did an awesome job. It was good as new for $125 in repairs and about a week and a half out of my car.

Good service for those units.

[kbflip02]

I'm thinking about going aftermarket, maybe a double-din stereo. All depends on what I can afford. It sucks not being able to listen to CDs and having to use a tape adapter for my iPod. and, I live in the middle of nowhere, so all I get is country stations

i recomend coming down to houston and check out a street called Harwin or Hilcroft...they intersect but are know throughout the city for their many audio shops with amazing prices...its fairly simple to get to from 45...just take 45 south to highway 59 and exit hilcroft...take a right from the feeder and harwin is the first street you come to...im redoing my entire stereo...minus the deck cause i already got one....for around $600...all 4 speakers...2 tweeters...and 2 subs and 2 amps...installed...your not far from houston so maybe it will be worth the trip...also i will be getting the custom intake fabbed and installed next week when i get back from my honeymoon...ill be coming up to huntsville next weekend and id be more than happy to show you what it looks like as well as my exhaust setup if your interested as well...lastly as far as the suspension is coming along i still have to try and locate 1 front strut and 1 rear shock in good enough condition for me to send off for him to make the sample out of...will let u know though....

fyi if you like the intake the same shop is also fabricating custom headers as well...

[xxcrashxx]

just out of my curiosity, what all is done to "rebuild" a faulty headunit?? dont they pretty much just reflow the solder all over on it??