HELP!!! BOSE stereo refurb
Discussion
Unfortunately, the CD player in my old C4 has finaly succumbed to the weak point in the system and now only plays CD's when it feels like (not very often at the moment and I swear it's not my choice of music) Does anyone know if there is a radio technician in this country who can refurb the standard BOSE stereo, or have I got to send it out to the States? Thanks for any help.
They are a bl**dy nightmare ,ime reinstalling my interior and am going a different route with the stereo.
Recently i had a system fitted at H*lf**ds to my sierra ,the CD/Tuner was fitted free and cost just short of a hundred quid.
OK i will be the 1st to admit its not the"top of the range" but even so it puts sound systems of 5 years ago in the shade,to me it sounds brilliant!
Ive boxed up my skippy Bose with its stupid amplified on every speaker system(i think a speaker amp costs $100 to replace) with a radio thats not suited to the UK and am going back to get another system the same as in the sierra with new speakers.
Its a 1 din head unit and they carry frames and pockets to make up the difference to make it look a profesional job.
Ok its not standard but then it will be a lot better system and cheaper.
Recently i had a system fitted at H*lf**ds to my sierra ,the CD/Tuner was fitted free and cost just short of a hundred quid.
OK i will be the 1st to admit its not the"top of the range" but even so it puts sound systems of 5 years ago in the shade,to me it sounds brilliant!
Ive boxed up my skippy Bose with its stupid amplified on every speaker system(i think a speaker amp costs $100 to replace) with a radio thats not suited to the UK and am going back to get another system the same as in the sierra with new speakers.
Its a 1 din head unit and they carry frames and pockets to make up the difference to make it look a profesional job.
Ok its not standard but then it will be a lot better system and cheaper.
Be careful when fitting stereos into a C4/ZR1. I have now done 2 in mine. For those that dont know, I now have top of range Alpine head unit, 6 disk mp3/wma changer, Kenwood KAC821, KAC823 and another Kenwood amp (800w), 500w woofer, 2x 200w 3ways, front 200w tweeters, 150w midrange (in the front) and a 1 farade capaciter to keep the voltage steady.
A few tips -
Euro stereos tend to be deeper than the bose so cutting may well be needed behind the stereo (its only plastic). Both stereos I fitted were sligtly wider than the Bose. Also take into account the fact that the Bose sits pushed up behind the facia and a 'euro' stereo will fit in through the facia. This added to the fact that many are very slightly wider (1/16") may also lead to cutting the facia of the dash - I had no choice but to do this with the new Alpine. With the previous stereo i got around it by taking some trim off the unit to loose that width.
Remember that the Bose unit is not a radio receiver - that is another box up under the dash on the passenger side - if you intend getting it to unplug the ariel - GOOD LUCK. There is a connector in the ariel cable hidden somewhere near the drivers rear wheel arch - plug a new cable in there.
You can use the original wires if you want - I didnt I ran OFC cable. I did cut into the original harness for things like power ariel etc.
To fit speakers in the original front positions I made wooded boxes to replace the original plastic moulds - I may still have the templates I made. There is a massive restriction on speaker size/depth for this location. I used a v.good stereo shop I've used since my teens to source the best speaker for the fit. I can look up the make if anyone wants it. Fitting the fronts is not easy - its the sort of job I've always been good at so if you don't fancy doing it dont.
i removed both seats, dash facia and the trim under the dash, around the door openings and the rear lockers, blind gear etc - it only takes a few minutes to remove all that and it makes life much easier if you are going to run new cables.
BTW a good quality amp can be switched to at least 2Ohm settings meaning that you could dump the speaker amps and wire them to a kenwood amp. The original speakers are Bose and do sound quite good through a kenwood. I know as I have been there and done that as well
You will just need to wire in a capacitor and resistor to set the frequency response for the speakers.
Colin, you could aslo browse the ZR1 net forums as several people in the states have had Bose refurb their unit for free!!!
>> Edited by Gixer on Thursday 25th November 17:11
A few tips -
Euro stereos tend to be deeper than the bose so cutting may well be needed behind the stereo (its only plastic). Both stereos I fitted were sligtly wider than the Bose. Also take into account the fact that the Bose sits pushed up behind the facia and a 'euro' stereo will fit in through the facia. This added to the fact that many are very slightly wider (1/16") may also lead to cutting the facia of the dash - I had no choice but to do this with the new Alpine. With the previous stereo i got around it by taking some trim off the unit to loose that width.
Remember that the Bose unit is not a radio receiver - that is another box up under the dash on the passenger side - if you intend getting it to unplug the ariel - GOOD LUCK. There is a connector in the ariel cable hidden somewhere near the drivers rear wheel arch - plug a new cable in there.
You can use the original wires if you want - I didnt I ran OFC cable. I did cut into the original harness for things like power ariel etc.
To fit speakers in the original front positions I made wooded boxes to replace the original plastic moulds - I may still have the templates I made. There is a massive restriction on speaker size/depth for this location. I used a v.good stereo shop I've used since my teens to source the best speaker for the fit. I can look up the make if anyone wants it. Fitting the fronts is not easy - its the sort of job I've always been good at so if you don't fancy doing it dont.
i removed both seats, dash facia and the trim under the dash, around the door openings and the rear lockers, blind gear etc - it only takes a few minutes to remove all that and it makes life much easier if you are going to run new cables.
BTW a good quality amp can be switched to at least 2Ohm settings meaning that you could dump the speaker amps and wire them to a kenwood amp. The original speakers are Bose and do sound quite good through a kenwood. I know as I have been there and done that as well
You will just need to wire in a capacitor and resistor to set the frequency response for the speakers. Colin, you could aslo browse the ZR1 net forums as several people in the states have had Bose refurb their unit for free!!!
>> Edited by Gixer on Thursday 25th November 17:11
Hello there!
Bose stereos - right - mine is an 86, so not only did have the low tech cassette head unit mine was also a pre-facelift dash (full digital not digi-analogue)
ANYWAY!
Firstly - it probably just needs a clean. I've done this successfully on many CD players - you'll need to slightly dismantle your stereo to get access to the lens. If you can do this use a cotton bud and some lighter fluid to gently wipe the lense. Failing that, the CD 'module' in the head unit is seperate, and it is possible to buy just this rather than the whole head unit (try some fo the usual suspect suppliers in the US), normally this is far cheaper than the whole Bose unit.
Secondly - aftermarket stereos, as Brett says the later units had a seperate tuner. All units used amplified speakers, and I assume the wiring set up for these is common. Basically the amps are powered up by a small relay behind the head unit. I put a Kenwood MASK head unit in mine, and you can activate this relay from the electric aerial wire provided from the stereo. You will need a head unit with line level outputs X4 (many mid range head units only provide 2 so be careful!) - then solder phono plugs onto the four screened wires coming out of the back of the head unit. I actually made a blanking piece to fill the gap in the dash (standard head units are smaller than the aperture for the stock unit) out of, er, a paint tray, but I think you can buy them too.
If you opt for the latter you are freed of the standard head unit shortcomings and can add changers, MP3 etc. but you also retain the stock speakers and locations, which in my opinion give great sound when working properly.
Good luck! And do try cleaning the lens first!
Francis.
Bose stereos - right - mine is an 86, so not only did have the low tech cassette head unit mine was also a pre-facelift dash (full digital not digi-analogue)
ANYWAY!
Firstly - it probably just needs a clean. I've done this successfully on many CD players - you'll need to slightly dismantle your stereo to get access to the lens. If you can do this use a cotton bud and some lighter fluid to gently wipe the lense. Failing that, the CD 'module' in the head unit is seperate, and it is possible to buy just this rather than the whole head unit (try some fo the usual suspect suppliers in the US), normally this is far cheaper than the whole Bose unit.
Secondly - aftermarket stereos, as Brett says the later units had a seperate tuner. All units used amplified speakers, and I assume the wiring set up for these is common. Basically the amps are powered up by a small relay behind the head unit. I put a Kenwood MASK head unit in mine, and you can activate this relay from the electric aerial wire provided from the stereo. You will need a head unit with line level outputs X4 (many mid range head units only provide 2 so be careful!) - then solder phono plugs onto the four screened wires coming out of the back of the head unit. I actually made a blanking piece to fill the gap in the dash (standard head units are smaller than the aperture for the stock unit) out of, er, a paint tray, but I think you can buy them too.
If you opt for the latter you are freed of the standard head unit shortcomings and can add changers, MP3 etc. but you also retain the stock speakers and locations, which in my opinion give great sound when working properly.
Good luck! And do try cleaning the lens first!
Francis.
I've actualy had the same problem with my home cd player a week ahead of a big party. Got a bloke locally (Basingstoke) who did the strip and clean job for me about 18 months ago (he's sone other video and cd previously for me).
At the time, he said it may need new components, but the clean would probably get me thru the impending party - which it did. It has just started playing up again, so I will be going to see him at the weekend.
If you want, I can ask if he can refurb Bose car hifi and let you know?
At the time, he said it may need new components, but the clean would probably get me thru the impending party - which it did. It has just started playing up again, so I will be going to see him at the weekend.
If you want, I can ask if he can refurb Bose car hifi and let you know?
Out of interest, and going slightly of thread here, 99% of PS2 failures are down to the really crap drive in them!!!!! A clean and readjustment of the lense azimuth is all thats required. I have fixed one, its not hard. BTW most the damage/where is due to people using them in the vertical position (as Sony still advertise). I do believe that in the US the 3 month warranty states they must be used in the horizontal position.
BTW Fran, I bought you the C5R 64 car yeterday......God my new job must be paying well
!!!!!!!!!!
BTW Fran, I bought you the C5R 64 car yeterday......God my new job must be paying well
!!!!!!!!!!SeeFive said:
I've actualy had the same problem with my home cd player a week ahead of a big party. Got a bloke locally (Basingstoke) who did the strip and clean job for me about 18 months ago (he's sone other video and cd previously for me).
At the time, he said it may need new components, but the clean would probably get me thru the impending party - which it did. It has just started playing up again, so I will be going to see him at the weekend.
If you want, I can ask if he can refurb Bose car hifi and let you know?
Ask away ,ive got a couple of Bose stereos he could look at if a clean is all they need.
Ditch the Bose and fit a Clarion Double Din (fits the hole in the dash on a C4).
I fitted one in Velveteen and it was fan-bloody-tastic compared with the shit Bose one. You need to get a little converter box (step down transformer) as the speakers in a C4 are "active" i.e each one has it's own amplifier.
The big advantage to buying a UK spec stereo is that the radio works properly including traffic news etc.
The Clarion I bought was about £350 plus about $50 for the step down tranformer which plugs into the existing wiring in the box under the jack. Which BTW is were the radio is for the stereo of the Bose.
I fitted one in Velveteen and it was fan-bloody-tastic compared with the shit Bose one. You need to get a little converter box (step down transformer) as the speakers in a C4 are "active" i.e each one has it's own amplifier.
The big advantage to buying a UK spec stereo is that the radio works properly including traffic news etc.
The Clarion I bought was about £350 plus about $50 for the step down tranformer which plugs into the existing wiring in the box under the jack. Which BTW is were the radio is for the stereo of the Bose.
Usually the BOSE cd in the C4 fails due to the rubber belt that transfers power from motor to cd turning platform, easy fix.
I have a spare cd unit just in case mine fails again. You can find them in ebay usually for less cost than you would think.
By the way, the amplifiers are quite easy to repair for the DIY, I have repaired 3 of my 4 speaker amps. and even 2 more for a friend, you only need to take the amp. apart and unsolder the 6 leaking capacitors on the board and replace with new ones (available anywhere, higher temp. rating if possible), approx. 30-40 minutes each including removal, and about 1 euro of cost per unit if you already have an small electronics soldering iron.
I have a spare cd unit just in case mine fails again. You can find them in ebay usually for less cost than you would think.
By the way, the amplifiers are quite easy to repair for the DIY, I have repaired 3 of my 4 speaker amps. and even 2 more for a friend, you only need to take the amp. apart and unsolder the 6 leaking capacitors on the board and replace with new ones (available anywhere, higher temp. rating if possible), approx. 30-40 minutes each including removal, and about 1 euro of cost per unit if you already have an small electronics soldering iron.
sunnyZR1 said:
Usually the BOSE cd in the C4 fails due to the rubber belt that transfers power from motor to cd turning platform, easy fix.
I have a spare cd unit just in case mine fails again. You can find them in ebay usually for less cost than you would think.
By the way, the amplifiers are quite easy to repair for the DIY, I have repaired 3 of my 4 speaker amps. and even 2 more for a friend, you only need to take the amp. apart and unsolder the 6 leaking capacitors on the board and replace with new ones (available anywhere, higher temp. rating if possible), approx. 30-40 minutes each including removal, and about 1 euro of cost per unit if you already have an small electronics soldering iron.
I did originaly look into fixing mine. There are good instructions on ZR1net and Maplins stock all that is needed
Gassing Station | Corvettes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff