FIX for CD player missing channel (Ribbon Cable DIY Fix)
#1
FIX for CD player missing channel (Ribbon Cable DIY Fix)
Alright, here it goes...it may or not work for everyone but it sure worked for me. I am on my third blose headunit and it acting up again. The left channel cuts in and out when playing CD's, a common problem on these cars. Replacing is costly, repairing is still almost $200, and banging the left side of the stereo just gets too many weird looks. I'm finding new ways to fix all kinds of things now since I got engaged and am saving up for our wedding!
I ripped apart(delicately) the radio to get to the (2) ribbons to measure and replace them since this is usually the issue. Most repair guys wont tell you what it is and make it sound like it's some secret and repaired with mystical parts that they can only charge you for. My fix is about as cheap as it gets, free. What I did was get the radio out (lots of links on this forum on how to do that), pull the radio out of its cage, and take off the side and bottom plates of the headunit. This will give you access to the ribbons and tabs to pull them out. (The front has a lift piece on the ribbon connector so don't just yank.) Here's the fix, I trimmed about 2-3mm off each end of the ribbon on both sides equally, this way they'll fit back into the connectors without a hitch but will give you new contact points. You can clean the contacts/connectors if you want also with some contact cleaner, and add some hot glue to under the front ribbon cable to hold it to the cage if you want too. Put back together (remember the connector with the lift lock) and back into the car. Enjoy! A few pics of the ribbons bellow................
MOD EDIT:
The ribbon cable is part# 816-2550-00.
A new ribbon cable can be ordered from here for about $8 shipped. (Definitely can't say they've got it in-stock, but they're the only place I see listing it) - Wrathernaut
http://www.pacparts.com/part.cfm?sku=930583922777
I ripped apart(delicately) the radio to get to the (2) ribbons to measure and replace them since this is usually the issue. Most repair guys wont tell you what it is and make it sound like it's some secret and repaired with mystical parts that they can only charge you for. My fix is about as cheap as it gets, free. What I did was get the radio out (lots of links on this forum on how to do that), pull the radio out of its cage, and take off the side and bottom plates of the headunit. This will give you access to the ribbons and tabs to pull them out. (The front has a lift piece on the ribbon connector so don't just yank.) Here's the fix, I trimmed about 2-3mm off each end of the ribbon on both sides equally, this way they'll fit back into the connectors without a hitch but will give you new contact points. You can clean the contacts/connectors if you want also with some contact cleaner, and add some hot glue to under the front ribbon cable to hold it to the cage if you want too. Put back together (remember the connector with the lift lock) and back into the car. Enjoy! A few pics of the ribbons bellow................
MOD EDIT:
The ribbon cable is part# 816-2550-00.
A new ribbon cable can be ordered from here for about $8 shipped. (Definitely can't say they've got it in-stock, but they're the only place I see listing it) - Wrathernaut
http://www.pacparts.com/part.cfm?sku=930583922777
Last edited by Wrathernaut; 10-04-2013 at 11:03 PM. Reason: Found the ribbon cable NEW!
The following 3 users liked this post by gizsf:
#2
Awesome post gizsf, and contratulations on the wedding too.
So to clarify, the dark grey spots on the "gold" contacts on the ribbon cable are where it was contacting before, you trimmed a small amount off the end of the cable so that some of the "gold" contact towards the center of the cable would be touching where the dark grey used to, correct?
Oh, and did using the contact cleaner on the ribbon cable have any effect on the dark spots?
I suppose it's put back together, but if you have any more pics, I wouldn't complain.
So to clarify, the dark grey spots on the "gold" contacts on the ribbon cable are where it was contacting before, you trimmed a small amount off the end of the cable so that some of the "gold" contact towards the center of the cable would be touching where the dark grey used to, correct?
Oh, and did using the contact cleaner on the ribbon cable have any effect on the dark spots?
I suppose it's put back together, but if you have any more pics, I wouldn't complain.
#4
The contact is made on about the lower 1/3 of the gold contacts, this way you give a fresh contact point on the ribbon. Contact cleaner didn't do anything noticeable but I figured it wouldn't hurt. I'll update if anything changes.
If anyone needs help with this let me know. If you pull the stereo and bring it to me, I can fix it in about 1/2 an hour. I don't accept cash... Only beer or booze!
If anyone needs help with this let me know. If you pull the stereo and bring it to me, I can fix it in about 1/2 an hour. I don't accept cash... Only beer or booze!
#6
Just wanted to update... Fix works perfectly, not one channel has cut out since. Also, this method only cuts a small portion off the ribbon so if the issue comes back a few years later, you can get another 2 cuts more if needed. I think the drop of hot glue should fix it permanently though.
#7
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#9
Having seen this fix performed today, the picture is a bit misleading. The "thicker piece of metal" is simply a part of the ribbon - no worries. If you are having troubles, take your unit apart...its really clear.
#10