I've been dealing with this for about a year and a half, and it's starting to finally drive me crazy. Actually, this is one of two problems I want to ask about.

1. When turning up the volume on my stock BOSE head unit, as I pass about the 30% level, I get a LOUD heart stopping crackle that almost sounds like lightning through the speakers. As best as I can tell, it's coming through all the speakers. So it crackles, then I'll keep turning it up, and it might crackle with each increase in volume level, and it might not. It's unpredictable. Any ideas? I've wondered if it's a loose wire or connection somewhere, but I'd think that'd cause continous static/crackling.

Here's my other problem, it's with the stock Sony 10disc CD changer "I think":

1. IT doesn't play CD-R's well. Even some REAL pressed CD's (ie pressed professionally, not on a CD-R) don't play well. I get a weird noise that I can only describe to be digital static, as if I was listening to a radio station and I was out of range. The music will crackle and be staticy, then it might just drop out all together for a few seconds. It might come back and play for a few seconds, or it could come back up and start crackling again. OR, the CD player might give up and give me an error code on the little control unit/screen saying "E-04".

YA'll got any ideas? I'd love to replace the whole system like my brother did, but I don't have the money to pay the tax man next month, let alone replace the stereo in the Max.

Thanks for your time and expertise guys!!

 

I've heard about problems with the stock CD player when it isn't warmed up. I know that sounds nuts, but... Have you checked your connection between changer and head unit? Checked power, ground, all wires? Have you CLEANED the CD-changer lately?

As for the pops/crackling from the HU, this is almost surely a ground problem...

On the tax man, I'll pray for you if you pray for me..

 

I have also heard that you will get crackling and poping if the contacts in the volume control pot are dirty. Do a search on BOSE, and there was a post once on how to clean them....

 

It sounds like your radio needs to be cleaned. My girlfriend has a Legend with the Bose radio. She has the same problem. Every now and then she'll beat on her radio to get it working right. I laugh everytime. But I love her. Shop around for a place who can save you money on cleaning. It's not going to be cheap at all.

K

 

A cleaning probably is in order, heck, the whole system is 11 years old.

How much would a cleaning cost? $30 or $150? Why is it something I can't do myself with some canned air and a CD cleaner?

Just curious...thanks for the help though guys!! (If I do clean it myself, I'll rip out the changer and the head unit, clean 'em thoroughly, then reconnect and check all the connections and grounds).

 

I don't know, I am in Atlanta and we took her car to Spectrum Sound, they said it would be $150. I thought to myself, D*mn, that much just to clean. I don't know, what else to say about Bose, they have a mind of their own.

K

 

I might drop by the shop that has done some work for my brother tomorrow and see what they say. I did find that thread about cleaning the POT though, very helpful. Hopefully just cleaning that will eliminate that, and the CD-R problem, well, who knows.. maybe the player is just too old and finicky. The crazy thing is, my Dad's '94 Q45 has the EXACT same cd changer, and my CD-R's work just fine, none of the problems I have. Who knows...

Thanks for the help!

 

crackling sound: common problem with any electronics when they get old.. the volume **** pot is dirty. clean it.
As for cleaning it, remove the head unit from the car, then pull off the cover and figure out how to clean the contacts on the pot. usually some contact cleaner and small amount of electrical contact grease does the job quite well. then plug it back in and see if that fixed your problem. if it's fixed, then put everything back together. if not, play with it a little longer and try to clean it again and see if that helps. sometimes it takes a couple tries to get it right, sometimes it just doesnt' help at all.


CD changer probs: that's f***ed up man.. hellifIknow! :shrug:

good luck!