Radio Amp

[g300d]

Thanks for posting to conclusion. I am gonna need to do this soon...

[Effduration]

Thanks for follow-up.

So the factory amp you replaced is the Alpine-made unit (actually made in China), that mounts vertically in the left side lower rear compartment near the tail lights?

[talljames]

Yes, that is correct. Underneath the cd changer behind the black plate and held in place by three small bolts. Best to remove cd player and cd changer first to gain access. Use the connected loom to lift it out. It is a lot harder if you disconnect, undo bolts and it drops down. Best to get a replacement that is close to yours. Look for the kW: ??/?? on the label that is similar. I will have another post in a week after I confirm that I have no more issues.

[talljames]

Ok, sad to say that the radio comes on for a while with good crisp sound on the right side then reverts to left side only. This is with a good amp and radio module in the back. So, I am pretty sure it is a coding issue having replaced the nav head unit. I have the software now and just need to get the cable. Will post again in the future.

[talljames]

ok, next update. Turns out my second bm53 radio module is bad (luck of the draw when your buying off ebay). Sent my bm53 radio module off for repair/upgrade. While waiting for its return I put the other bad one back. In the mean time my maps on the screen disappeared and i had a basic menu system. The yellow light would come on when i pressed the power button but obviously no radio. Then the whole head unit went dead. Received the fixed bm53 radio module and installed. Turned the engine on and I had full volume radio but no controls at the head unit to turn the volume down. Still no head unit activity and I notice the cd equipment in the boot does not have a red light on. A little stumped at the moment. I did try the removing of 7, 72 & 73 fuses and the disconnecting of battery with no luck.

[talljames]

update, decided to put some new fuses in the boot. The existing ones looked fine but did it anyway and success the basic menu and all controls now work including turning down the volume. No red indicator on the cd in the boot still that shows the nav maps. Have to figure that out now.

[wpoll]

Did you inspect the old fuses visually or with a continuity tester (multi-meter)?

[talljames]

update. Fuse 75 was blown which feeds the cd nav unit. Replaced it and the head unit came up with all controls except no nav still. Was working like that for a day or so and came out this morning and the head unit was off again. Checked #75 and sure enough blown. Replaced it and it blew again so looks like a short somewhere. Will take out the MK IV for the next job. still has the maps cd inside.

I inspected visually but have ordered a fuse tester which I should have had all along as I wear glasses now.

[talljames]

yes, could have used my multimeter.

[talljames]

The moral of that little fuse story is dont rely on old school visual testing as the fuse looked pristine and did not have the usual break in the middle. Instead it was at the very top join to the blade and was not obvious as it just looked like a color variation.