I was removing the faceplate off the radio to rewrap in 3M Dinoc and I forgot to disconnect the ribbon cable that goes from the head unit to the back of the circuit board for the buttons for the AC, Radio, Etc.. and I pulled the faceplate off and ripped the ribbon cable right off the button circuit board.

Stupid mistake! Now when I start the car my AC turns up on full blast and none of the radio buttons turn on and the speaker make a single beep noise.

What do I do??? I please beg of someone to help me. I have the non Bose headunit. Will I have to replace the whole headunit now? It looks like that ribbon cable only comes with the headunit. Or is there someone that can repair this for me?

Ripped off the contacts of the ribbon cable:



This is where it was attached to on the circuit board for the buttons

 

The AC is controlled thru the radio so if theres an issue with radio it will affect the AC. Check you fuses in the kick panel I had one blow before and it made my ac turn up like yours.

 

I already stated my issue. I accidently ripped the ribbon cable that controls the radio buttons

 

You might be able to cut the ribbon cable back where there's still metal inside to contact with and expose it.

See if you can apply the method from this fix to what's left of your ribbon cable:
https://g35driver.com/forums/audio-v...g-channel.html

 

im an electronics technician, that cable is not repairable.. you will need a new one, more then likely itll be the same thing on the other end, if your lucky. Otherwise the other end is soldered onto a board..either way, youll need to replace the radio, or crack it open, and connect a new wire OR de-solder the old wire and solder in a new one

 

The other end of the cable is not soldered the are both removable it just snaps into the socket

 

Should I take it to my local car stereo/navigation repair shop?

 

I'd take just the ribbon cable in on its own, if they can replace or remake that, you'll be back in business.

 

Ok I dropped it off at the radio place and their sending it off to their repair guy.

I have a question though. I told the guy there that I was fiddling around with the ribbon cable trying to get a connection with the power on and he said I probably also screwed something else up in the process cause it wasn't grounded lol. Is this true? The most of what would happen is a blown fuse right? I didn't see any issues not did anything happen.

 

Anyone know if I can start the car without the radio in? Since my radio headunit was sent off I feel like my car is going to be stuck in the same spot for a while.. Don't want to screw anything up starting the car without the headunit inside.

 

You could just buy a new OEM face plate find it used somewhere for like under $50 with the ribbon attached even if it's bose, I have a bose face plate on my non bose unit.

 

Yes, it starts without the radio.

 

Hey thanks for the reply man!

I know the car will start without the headunit/radio in, but what I'm wondering is will it short anything out starting the car without it plugged up and inside? I thought maybe since nothing is grounded it might screw the car up or something.

 

So long as you don't have exposed wires that you cut, there's no issues.