Strange Audio Problems -- System Completely Shut Off

**matt11601** · 04-10-2006, 10:52 AM

Lemme first say I searched, but it was difficult to search for this specific problem.

While driving earlier today, my head unit suddenly shut off and everything was silent. It was strange because it happened out of nowhere and I was not pushing anything on the head unit. Since I was driving on the highway, I couldn't really give the problem a lot of attention, but when it happened my clock and gauges did not dim or go out. It was only the HU.

After driving some more I pushed a button to change the CD track and I could hear it switch. I then realized my HU had some power running through it. I pressed the radio button and then my power antenna went up. So now I realize my HU is not displaying anything, but some parts of it are still functional.

Here's another part to the story, my amplifier. Usually I can hear engine noise while the car is running. The noise is subtle and most people won't hear it, but I can since I'm the one who drives it. When everything went silent, I could no longer hear the engine noise and now I'm thinking the amplifier shut off also.

Sooo now I'm back at school and have to wait till the weekend. The car is just sitting in the garage until Friday when I drive back home. The only thing I was able to check out is the fuse in my distro block. The fuse is not blown, but Im sure this isn't helpful.

I'm completely lost on this one and don't much experience with car audio. I have an aftermarket JVC HU and a Bazooka amp. I got Circuit City to install the amp about 2 months ago so I plan to go back this weekend.

I would really appreciate some advice in the mean time because I'm going to be obsessing about this all week. Thanks.

-Matt

**pancit175** · 04-10-2006, 09:05 PM

Just one question first. Does your amp even turn on at all? check your amp light if it activates when you turn on the radio.
If it doesn't then check your remote line going into your amp if you are getting any power there.
But regardless of the amplifier, it sounds as if your radio is shot. Circuit sold you a bum deck.
Go back there and they should be able to look at the installation. but since you're passed their 30 days return policy you probably have to get a new radio or send that one out to JVC to get their warrenty

**Legarcondemerde** · 04-10-2006, 09:10 PM

I agree, it sounds like it's your deck.

**matt11601** · 04-10-2006, 09:54 PM

The HU is about 3 years old, I only got the amplifier from Circuit City.

Yea I'm thinking it's the HU too. But it was just so strange when it happened. I didn't take a hard turn or hit a big bump or anything. I was just coasting on the highway and it shut off. It just makes me mad more than anything else.

The whole timing of everything is pretty funny because I just got all my carPC parts in so I was going to take the HU out anyway.

I won't be able to get back into the car until the weekend so I'll post some updates here. Anyone else have any advice?

**I302K** · 04-11-2006, 11:35 AM

As stupid as it might sound check your antena cable in the back of ur HU. make sure it is pluged in. if it poped out in some HU it works as a ground and will not power up

and if thats the case the remote wire wont even power up ur amp so that wont even work so check it out

**Will Albers** · 04-11-2006, 12:14 PM

Well does the deck light up? Does it function like it does all the time but without sound? What does your amplifier power? All 4 speakers?

If deck still lights up and your speakers are powered via the amplifier than i blame the amp. Get a multimeter and check power, remote turn on and ground at the amp. My guess is you blew a fuse with the amp.

If the deck no longer lights up then i blame the deck, which probably shut off the remote turn on thus no sound out of amp

**matt11601** · 04-11-2006, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by I302K

As stupid as it might sound check your antena cable in the back of ur HU. make sure it is pluged in. if it poped out in some HU it works as a ground and will not power up

and if thats the case the remote wire wont even power up ur amp so that wont even work so check it out

I'll remember that when I check it, thanks.

Originally Posted by Will Albers

Well does the deck light up? Does it function like it does all the time but without sound? What does your amplifier power? All 4 speakers?

If deck still lights up and your speakers are powered via the amplifier than i blame the amp. Get a multimeter and check power, remote turn on and ground at the amp. My guess is you blew a fuse with the amp.

If the deck no longer lights up then i blame the deck, which probably shut off the remote turn on thus no sound out of amp

The deck lights up, but nothing is displayed at all. It just looks like the backlight turns on. The eject button works because the CD pops out and if I wait long enough, the HU will pull the CD back in.

I'll rememer to check my connections. I'm thinking it's the HU at this point.

**matt11601** · 04-14-2006, 05:31 PM

Well somehow everything is working. I took my radio bezel off, unplugged all the connections, took out the radio and unplugged everything. Waited a few minutes and then reconnected everything. The display on the HU worked and the amp turned on. I have no idea what happened, but I'm just happy to see my amp lightup since that's what I really need for my carPC.

Thanks all for your advice and your willingness to help me out.