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CD player for Saab

Hello,

My C900 has an aftermarket MP3/CD player that first started playing on one speaker only, and then stopped altogether. I removed it, and the connection in there is a rats nest, very difficult to troubleshoot for various reasons, not least of which is the ratsy job done by the installer, done before I purchased the car. I am wondering what I should do to restore music capabilities in my car. My choices seem to be:

  1. Go to an independent Saab specialist and ask them for advise. I may ask them to troubleshoot the current unit, or perhaps replace the wiring with the replacement original Saab harness, and restore the proper connections. Perhaps the current unit will be revived, perhaps I will have to replace it, but at least I will have an operational harness.
  2. Go to an aftermarket car accessory place and have them replace the unit. I doubt they will be willing to troubleshoot the current unit.

I realize that doing troubleshooting myself would be the cheapest solution, but without a manual for the unit (which I could not also obtain from the Clarion web site - the unit is Clarion ProAuido DXZ635M), I am having a lot of difficulties making sense and doing troubleshooting. Any recommendations?

Thanks,

-Dima

Reply to
Dima
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Pretty straightforward stuff to DIY. Get a test light and a volt meter. You basically have 3 important power connections and 8 speaker connections. The power is constant 12V (usually small gage), switched

12V (heavier gage) and ground. In addition, you have a sense wire for the antenna (usually blue from the head unit) and a dash light connection to dim the display, but not necessary. The front 2 speakers are pretty straightforward. Pull both speakers and it will be easy to see which goes to what. Get some inline connectors and re-splice it or run new wires (your choice). Since the car had a radio in it from the factory, the Bentley manual will help you decipher what color wires are for what on the car side if it is unclear with the test light...

An independent Saab mechanic will probably laugh you out of the shop or change you an arm and a leg.

An aftermarket joint will be able to help as well, but I'd troubleshoot my own first...

KeithG

Dima wrote:

Reply to
KeithG

First thought.Are they the original papercone speakers?

I know about Ratsnest cabling (and almost all of it was factory). When I pulled the Clarion R/C from my old 900, it did not use the Saab audio connector, just basic wire conections, so I had to hard wire in an ISO connector.

When I fitted a lowish powered modern headunit, it lasted about 3 weeks (at not excessive voume or bass) before the original factory speakers started distorting. Didn't keep them in enough to let them blow, but I wonder if the higher power of the modern headunit has blow the old speakers?

Reply to
Sleeker GT Phwoar

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