Ok, my warranty has finally run out and my Bose HU is acting up again. Same deal, when playing a CD, my left speakers cut out. Does anybody have any good recommendations on what type of head unit to get that will work with the steering wheel controls???

Thanks

 

man, my blose is doing the same ****, but not only on CDs. i hit a big bump, left speakers go out. i punch the radio 2x and prob solved. this is my 4th BLOSE, and i dont want to get rid of it as i want to add satelite radio. i think almost any HU will work, you need some kind of adaptor for the steering wheel controls to work...

 

you need to get the adapter from crutchfield to allow your steering wheel controls to work with an AM HU....it'll work with basically any HU...good luck, i wish i could afford a new one!

 

Man i hope i don't start having those Bose problems in my new ride. My 02 max base system was trouble free but lack good midrange

 

anybody know what this adapter is called, or if anybody has the link to it!!

 

"How do I make the steering wheel controls work with an aftermarket headunit on a 2k2 or 2k3?"

This is a two step process. First you have to obtain the PAC SWI-X adapter from Crutchfield or some other mobile audio dealer. This will allow you to utilize the radio functions on the steering wheel.
Secondly, to regain use of the trip computer (the one with temp, DTE, MPG, etc.) you have to first locate the small wiring harness you removed from the stock deck, but diudn't use in the install of your aftermarket deck. This is a small harness with 4-5 wires in it. One of these wires is brown with a white stripe/marking. This wire must be cut from the harness, the stripped and grounded. I recommend grounding it to the large metal peice below the vents (you can use a small screw or electrical tape), or any other grounding site. This will now give you full use of all steering wheel controls."


searching is your friend! that was in the stickies btw....

 

What the f***. I just traded in my 98 Max for a beautiful 02. I loved my Bose system in my 98, but the 02 sucks. I have played with the controls thinking I just need to adjust the base and treb, but no luck. I was actually thinking that the previous owner removed the Bose speakers and replaced with something else. Please let me know if this stereo system just sucks before I rip out my door panels. Also I get a ticking or maybe bad reception from the radio. Is this normal because of the window ant.? Sometimes it's fine and sometime it's loud as hell. Wondering if it is just a ground issue or the window ant. just stinks. Once again my 98 rocked and I am very disapointed with the sound system in the 02. PLEASE HELP ME!!!

 

in general, i think the BOSE system in the max is fairly good...it sounds a lot more crisp than a lot of other cars i've been in...keep in mind, however, that i'm not one to blare my music...i RARELY have the volume over 17, and i think it sounds pretty good...the bass is the best i've heard on a stock system as well (although i've never been in any other car with a stock woofer..)

but all that aside, it is a complete PITA...it is nice when it's working, but the majority of the time, its not! i just had mine replaced about 1k miles ago for the 2nd time (so i'm on my 3rd HU) and it's good for now, but there's no telling when it's gonna blow again....in my case, it was just as described earlier: the left side speakers would cut out only when playing CDs...others have experianced different problems such as faulty subwoofers, etc...

anyways, what i'm getting at is that it would probably be better, in anyone's case to replace it with an AM HU (as well as speakers) because of the reliabilty factor of the BOSE...it's a good stereo, but only when it's working...

 

How about the reception? Sometimes mine sounds fine and sometimes there is a ticking or maybe just bad reception. Is this a product of the window ant.? Not sure why they couldn't have just put a power antenna on the car? I don't trust this window thing.

 

look on the inside of your back window and make sure it is plugged in correctly...i think the plug is located on the passenger side of the car...i always get great reception, even in places that my 02 civic had a hard time with....