I just read the how-to thread in this forum, but didn't find information on changing the CD player. I wonder how easy/hard it is to change the CD player that stops working in my 1996 Maxima. Where can I find a cheap used CD player? thanks guys

 

Are you looking to replace the entire stock unit with another stock or put in an aftermarket? Trying to fix the one you have or what?

Do you have Bose or NON-bose?

The install is not that bad, It is really only 5 screws and about 8 or 9 plugs.

If you have any questions just shoot me a PM.

 

I have a Bose.

I'm not sure if the CD player is fixable. The CD player is the only part that is not working in that entire stock. I don't want to change the entire stock unless I have to.

 

The stock unit you have is fixable, but the cost to do so is just not realistic. You can install an aftermarket Headunit and retain everything else or you could find a unit someone else has taken out. It must be a bose unit or it will not work right. There should me some ORG members that have them. I even have one. Took it out to put in a indash dvd/cd player and screen. The install will be easier with another stock unit, but the aftermarket is not hard at all. You just have to get the right parts. They make a harness just for the bose and one for NON-bose. The color code on the harness is a industry standard for most aftermarket headunits. I don't know your budget but i would lean towards a aftermarket. The stock one looks good in the dash but seriously lacks in features. You can get a Kenwood or some other name brand the will do full speed Ipod control, Bluetooth, Aux input, and that is just some of the options.The price really is not that bad either. I hope this helped.

 

+1 on getting aftermarket. Keeping the old Bose units going is difficult and pricey. Aftermarkets work better, look OK, don't cost much, and have modern features like MP3 inputs.

 

Thanks guys. Do you guys usually find aftermarket parts on eBay ?if so, can you send me a link to the right stock part? Thank you!

 

You can get the parts off ebay but you would probably do better if you went to your local car audio shop. Usually they can show you the parts and explain somethings for you. Make sure you try to talk to an installer and not a salesman. The installers are the ones that do the work and know the parts best.

http://www.metraonline.com/

Go to this site to look up your parts. most if not all car audio shops should have them. You can at least look at them so you know what you are buying.

The wiring Harness you need is a 70-7551 and your kit is 98-7499, also you will need a ant adapter most likely. part no. on it is 40-NI10. You should be able to pick this up the same day. they are not very uncommon parts and you wont have to wait or pay shipping.

 

Very helpful info! thanks a lot Jason!

 

Instead of buying the 70-7551 harness I'd recommend the Pac Roemnis2.

 

Get an aftermarket unit. IIRC crutchfield will give directions if you buy from them.

 

I would recommend you get another person to help you push down the pressure clips by the vent assembly. Can be kinda tricky since there's 4 that all need to be pushed down. (i used butter knives)

 

haha the butter knife is the best tool for the 4th gen it can be used sooo many differerent times

 

You can put a Pathfinder 6 disc player in with little effort. Mine is from a 2005. Only one wire to splice and a little work on the mounting hardware.

 

That pac piece would work alot better. it gives you the ability to adjust the sound levels and make it all even. You also don't have to worry about the radio having enough RCA's outputs. The best thing to do is just put in four new speakers and bypass all the bose amps. IMO. Yes, the other guys are right the vents are a little tricky without a proper tool. I have taken mine out so many times I can remove it sitting at a red light. It holds great, just have taken it out enough to be easy. Something wide and flat works great by yourself. Just be careful and don't force anything. That is the rule not to break anything.

 

The other reason to use the pac adapter vs the 70-7551 harness is that if you are just using rca signals to drive a bose system, they had better be at least a 4V output. Most cheap radios have <2V outputs, which doesn't get close to maxing out the bose system input...so the volume doesn't go to 100%, more like 75%.

Alternatively, you can just use the regular 70-7550 non amplified harness. That gives you the other extreme, the volume is maxed out at a lower volume (numerically speaking).

Also, I'd say 3 out of every 4 Maximas with bose systems hiss, pop, or click after you replace the radio...no matter what harness you use. Just another reason to follow Jason's advice and replace everything.