I searched for a while but didn't come up with anything so I hope this wasn't covered already. I have a 96 I30t with the bose. The head unit works only when I have the parking/headlights on. When the lights are off, the head unit shuts off fairly soon. When the lights are on, the bose works 98% of the time. Is this a head unit deal or a wiring hack job from the previous owner? Thanks.

 

So what happens that other 2% of the time when it's not working? Sounds like an unrelated issue to me.

 

there has been a few times when it won't take the cd for a little while.

 

you have to be more specific, does this occur with the car running or with the key in ACC position.

what about the rest of electrical thing in the car, climate control, defroster, power seats?

there are only 2 power wires running to the headunit, 12v and accessory......because you said that it turns on and then shuts off I would agree with Nismo and say they are unrelated issues.

The only way to be sure is to take out the headunit and measure the voltage off both lines 12v+ACC from the headunit harness

 

My Maxima came like that when I bought it from a private owner. They ****ed up the wiring in the back so I had to rewire everything. My stereo only turned on when I had the headlights on.

Check the wiring in the back. Make sure the ACC from the headunit harness is wired to the ACC wire coming out of the BOSE harness.

 

the h.u. is toast, get rid of it. mine died too. bose h.u.'s FTL