My Tape Deck Is Possessed! Repair? Options For Replacement?

[bmlawless]

I have a '99 with the 6-disc changer under the passenger seat.

My tape deck is possessed. From time to time, for no reason, it starts acting like it is flipping a tape over or trying to eject it. This is without a tape in it. I stuck a sacrificial Jimmy Buffet mix tape in there and it didn't help. I have zero complaints about the audio system. In fact, I am quite impressed with it! After a month of ownership, I rarely even notice it, but it shocks clients and is a little embarrassing when I am driving them around.

Option #1) I have a background as an electronics technician, so I was going to pull it and see if there is an obvious problem. If not, i was going to cut the power to the tape deck to shut it up.

Option #2) Replacement. I would love to replace the double-din system and have the extra storage cubby below the stereo. Are there any aftermarket units that will control the stock changer or would I need to replace it too.

[KoukiS14]

I think you can pay like 130 to have it repaired. . personally, I'd find one on eBay. I hate the factory Nissan (Clarion) decks. . But I love 'em when they work, because I dig the OEM look and feel.

I went through two on my 240sx. . first one was identical to what you'd find in a double din R50 of the same year (97) and the 2nd was from an Altima, was double din but no tape deck. . I sold the car with that in but the display was screwed up.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW

and an older one (same as I had in my 240, but I had non-bose -- I bet it's the same exact deck though) -- not sure if it'll fit, but probably.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW

[KoukiS14]

Well okay I wouldn't buy the first one. . should have read the description. . haha. . may be crap.

[fueler]

if your bose is anything like the one in my 99.5 QX4 then you cant simply cut the power to the tape deck - the deck is one unit and runs off one 12v power cable... unless you are down to completely open the radio up and find the internal power source for the tape deck... i wouldn't mess with it..

Thats the Bose I have.... I have one pulled out of my QX4 thats missing an unimportant button but works perfectly. If you have the same one, you can unclip the button off your broken one and its good as new. Or it can safely be used with a toothpick. ILl post a pic soon

And it is ready for the under seat 6 disc changer asking $40 shipped

[KoukiS14]

fueler is selling everything off his QX4.

[bmlawless]

One interesting thing I have sen with the ones you guys have shown and the ones on e-Bay is that they all have a different button for the audio controls. Mine has two small knobs for the fader/bass and treble/balance.

[KoukiS14]

The one in my 97 240sx had those knobs. . it's the older style, but I believe both are swappable. You have an early 99 or a 99.5? Maybe they changed for 99.5.

[bmlawless]

Mine is a 99. Don't know if it is early or late production for the year.

fueler- I have no fear of opening the unit to look at the tape deck's mechanical system and cut the lifeline if I have to.

[bmlawless]

I have one pulled out of my QX4 thats missing an unimportant button but works perfectly. If you have the same one, you can unclip the button off your broken one and its good as new. Or it can safely be used with a toothpick. ILl post a pic soon

And it is ready for the under seat 6 disc changer asking $40 shipped

Which button are you missing? We have slightly different units, but we may have the same button. I may be interested since it would save me the effort of troubleshooting the tape deck. Here's mine:

Modified by bmlawless at 9:52 PM 1/23/2008
Modified by bmlawless at 12:55 PM 10/29/2008

[KoukiS14]

Which button are you missing? We have slightly different units, but we may have the same button. I may be interested since it would save me the effort of troubleshooting the tape deck. Here's mine:

Modified by bmlawless at 9:52 PM 1/23/2008

Whoa same as what my 240 had, only I didn't have "clock" since the clock was in the gauge cluster.