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

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:

In article <10qn5c1r0j0gaac (AT) corp (DOT) supernews.com>, dima (AT) tdasystems (DOT) com
says...

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?
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