Stereo Cutting Out

[VS 5.0]

Hi all.

My head unit is playing up in that it usually comes on when I start the car but will then cut out. The buttons are is still illumminated but there is no sound and the screen is blank.

Then some time later (it may be 5 mins or may be 1/2 an hour) the screen will work again but no sound. If I press the station selection button the sound will come on.

The unit is oooold now (Sony XR-7070) from 1992 or there abouts so it is probably time to get a new one but if it is something that I can easily fix then I can save some $$$ for elsewhere on the car.

Any ideas on what is happening would be appreciated.

[holdenboy]

Probably not something you can easily fix. Although i would just try cleaning the brass contacts in between the face and the unit, sometimes they can get dirty and not conduct electricity very well.

Other than that i think its time for a new head-unit

[LAP004]

Its time for a new headunit mate it had a good run

[scozz76]

Here's the link to the service manual.

http://www.eserviceinfo.com/download.php?fileid=33070
http://www.eserviceinfo.com/download.php?fileid=33069
http://www.eserviceinfo.com/download.php?fileid=33068

It's a multipart download (Zip).

[ethann]

Thats like 16 od years old.
Maybe just treat your self to something like this

ALPINE CDE-100EUB 50X4W WMA MP3 AUX USB - eBay Players, Audio, Video, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 15-Mar-10 14:25:04 AEDST)

(Just an example)
Plays mp3/usb input etc

[StoneX]

Except buy from a real store, not eBay, so you get a proper warranty. Things don't last like they used to, so you'll probably need your warranty at some stage.

[Majestic 36]

It seems that you need warranty with everything these days

[ethann]

Yeah but I have had my alpine 9886 for about a year and a half now, No dramas.

[StoneX]

I've had my Pioneer for 5 years with no dramas but I see all brands returned within months... So you can't be too careful with warranties.

[ethann]

I've had my Pioneer for 5 years with no dramas but I see all brands returned within months... So you can't be too careful with warranties.

Nothing is made to last at all these days.
But 5 years is a good effort!

[VS 5.0]

Thanks guys...esp scozz76 for going to the trouble of adding the link to the service manual.

Might try pulling it out, give the rear connector a clean and see what happens. If that doesn't work then I will be half way there to replacing it anyway ! It's getting pretty boring travelling 50+kms a day with intermitent tunes.

Can't really complain about 18+ years of use I suppose. The CD stacker still works pretty well too.

I won't expect the same life span out of something new though.

[VS 5.0]

Pulled the old Sony unit out today.

Thanks very much to Atriedae for his excellent How To with great photos and simple wording - Complete VN,VP,VR,VS,VQ,VG Headunit Guide [56k warning] - for helping make it a pretty simple job in the end.

Tried cleaning the contacts as suggested by holdenboy with cotton buds and rubbing alchohol. Geez were they dirty but unfortunately it didn't make any difference. Still cutting in and out at irregular intervals.

So with the dash in bits on the back seat, time to go shopping.

Didn't want to spend too much (I'm not much of a doof doof head). Endned up grabbing one of these - Car CD player with direct iPod® control - DEH-2100IB :: Pioneer Australia - for $190. Think I got a reasonable deal.

It comes with an ipod cable as well so ran this to the glovebox to keep it out of the way.

Connected up nice and easy, put the dash back together and now I have tunes again.....and they don't sound too bad either. Hooray !!!

It's the first stereo install I've done since I put one in my LX Torana in the late 80's so pretty happy with the end result.

[holdenboy]

Well done, sorry to hear about the Sony, although 5 years is a good run.

[VS 5.0]

Thanks mate.....and it was 18 years.....that stereo spent time in my VB, then the VK and finally came to it's resting place in the VS where it has been for the last 11 years.

A very good run I think but nothing lasts forever !

[holdenboy]

Oh yeah, well thats an awesome life span!