Bose radio not working right (possible theory as to why)

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Jul 18, 2015 | 02:31 PM
  #1  
I've posted about this before. I have a 95 maxima with the bose system in it, and it doesn't work correctly. First I thought it was the speakers, then the radio itself, but that wasn't the case. I now think it is a loose wire in the wiring harness. I think it may be the ground wire. How could i go about checking this, and also, where would i find the wiring harness? Any help/pics are appreciated. Thanks in advance!
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Jul 18, 2015 | 05:40 PM
  #2  
You have 20 year old stereo in your car. The Boss stereo was known to be trouble years ago. Time to replace it with something more modern.
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Jul 18, 2015 | 05:55 PM
  #3  
Yes, you may very well have a loose connection, but I doubt it's in the wiring harness. More than likely it's a bad or cracked solder joint on one of the circuit boards. Very common in auto electronics since they are subjected to wide temperature swings and vibration. I would remove the cover and touch up all the solder joints I could find.
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Jul 18, 2015 | 06:17 PM
  #4  
Junebug, you might be right on.
I had the common bad speedometer problem. The recommendation was to re-solder certain contacts. Worked for me.
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Jul 18, 2015 | 08:24 PM
  #5  
The Bose stereo should be replaced with an aftermarket radio, it's alot better and they are cheap now. That's what I did.
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Jul 19, 2015 | 08:21 AM
  #6  
what are the exact symptoms you have?
I recently (about a week ago) fixed my bose, but my symptoms were that the volume k n o b was not working correctly and also that my lcd display was on the fritz. I took out the whole console removed it from the metal bracket (which can be a pain but just put a screwdriver into the screw and hit the screwdriver with a hammer while turning the handle counterclockwise to remove) took out the radio and removed the front cover to get to the circuit board. I replaced the volume kn ob and resoldered that in and then soldered the loose lcd display back in and now it works flawlessly. ill be going back into to it to put in red led bulbs because its so easy. I never soldered anything in my life before and just used a 3 dollar soldering iron from harbor freight (replaced the tip with an 89 cent copper tip from home depot) some flux and some soldering wick. for about 20 bucks (15 for the clarion volume kno b and 5 for the soldering stuff) I got my bose system back into amazing working condition. its a perfect stereo that no one will want to steal. To those who said just replace it, remember bose systems are delicate its easy to blow the speakers with a different brand stereo.

edit: took me about 2 hours total because I never did it before, second go around would be much faster.
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Jul 19, 2015 | 12:36 PM
  #7  
Why keep 20 year old speakers?

Replace them as well. They are not sacred cows. Neither is the bose.
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