Anyone replace car stereos recently?

Thx to all, esp drvn, got the pathfinder nearly done today. Crutchfield has AMAZING tech support, they answer the phone within 60 seconds and walk you through stuff.
 
I say "almost" as the steering wheel control interface doesn't recognize preset-up, and I can't seem to remap it as the product manual is wrong. Calling the mfr tomorrow, crutchfield was at a loss.
 
Here's a pic, although its nothing special. Then again, nothing special is what I was going for, I wanted it to look like a regular install.
 
W21NJKx.jpg

 
 
Nicely done. Usually, what I've found when doing steering wheel controls, is that the manual has a section about a few wires from the device and how they need to connect to the factory wiring... For example, where you have to map that blue from the device goes to red/white in the car. It's generally a step or two below that, where the manual ends up saying to also connect X colored wire to ground or +12V... These latter steps are easy to miss since they aren't always grouped with the rest of the wiring information. I obviously have no idea if this was actually the case here, but it's certainly something to double check before you call the manufacturer saying, "Why isn't this device working? I need a replacement!"  Only to have them say, did you connect the yellow wire to ground? DOH! :)
 
[All wiring color information mentioned above is hypothetical. These are not instructions - do not attempt to follow them! I take no responsibility for any damaged devices or car fires caused by the connection of said wiring!] :D
 
I know the wiring is right as I can access that button, I just can't figure out where preset up is in the steering control interface box, and the mfr instructions are wrong. I've got it currently mapped to "toggle mute" so at least it's doing something...
 
Ahh ok. I misread the first post about the issue. With the interfaces that I've installed, I don't even know if there was an option to re-map buttons... they just seem to work as expected (compared to what the factory implementation was). That said, I've only installed them with Pioneer head units.
 
yeah, i wonder if I got a bum unit. The car was auto-recognized, but the preset buttons didn't work. I tried the remap to no avail.
 
I meant to call today when I read up on my other thread on vapor barriers in basements. Suddenly the drama with a single button on my steering wheel not working is lower on the list :-)
 
The right front speaker has an intermittent connection (pre-dated the install). Clearly the right answer is to first replace it, *then* reseat the amplifier connection. Oh but wait, speakers come in pairs. And it would sound funny if the front speakers were different than the rear. I best just replace all the speakers. Maybe a subwoofer too...
 
IVB said:
The right front speaker has an intermittent connection (pre-dated the install). Clearly the right answer is to first replace it, *then* reseat the amplifier connection. Oh but wait, speakers come in pairs. And it would sound funny if the front speakers were different than the rear. I best just replace all the speakers. Maybe a subwoofer too...
Click to expand...
Also, make sure to not add too much weight to the door by getting some speakers with those extra crossover boxes which you can hide up in the kick panel somewhere.... :D
 
IVB said:
The right front speaker has an intermittent connection (pre-dated the install). Clearly the right answer is to first replace it, *then* reseat the amplifier connection. Oh but wait, speakers come in pairs. And it would sound funny if the front speakers were different than the rear. I best just replace all the speakers. Maybe a subwoofer too...
Click to expand...
I did a few speaker installs over the weekend and ended up making a blog post about OEM speakers... Not sure if you have seen this yet or not:
 
http://cocoontech.com/forums/blog/46/entry-407-automotive-factory-speakers/
 
gatchel said:
Also, make sure to not add too much weight to the door by getting some speakers with those extra crossover boxes which you can hide up in the kick panel somewhere.... :D
Click to expand...
I added a little bit of weight to my doors ;)
 
dsc01289ww4.jpg

 
dsc01328ye6.jpg
 
I did notice on the newer vehicles the two speakers in the doors are mounted higher these days.  The tweeters appear to be in a little "compartment" right next to where the side mirrors attach.  That said theirs a discreetly mounted subwoofer under the seats on two cars which I really never noticed before.  There are little Harmon Kardon tags on all of the speakers.
 
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