Audio Systems: bose car cd problem, bose amp, bose system

Question
By the headunit are you talking about the changer/receiver?
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-----Question-----
I have a 2002Nissan Max with Bose 6 cd in-dash changer.  The cd skips; radio and cassette work fine.  I've used a lens cleaner disc about ten times with no luck.  It seems to be inconsistent; the last cd it played the 1st 7 songs great and then messed up on the 8th, then played the rest ok.  Any ideas?
-----Answer-----
I know this car and the bose system very well.  The v-6 in the max is the greatest of its kind on planet earth!

The bose system is not great, but not bad.  If you have the subwoofer I think it is a little anemic.  If you don't, think about adding one; it will enhance the sound by a very large measure.

Okey, to your skipping problem:  The car is now 5 years old.  It is not unusual for the laser diode to start getting weak and/or the alignment of the optical pickup (where the laser diode  is housed deep inside) to go sour.  Unfortunately, the cost of replacement of the optics is very steep and expensive labor as well.  The bad news is that other head units don't easily match with the rest of the bose system in the car.

Therefore, I think, in your case I recommend you replace the headunit.

Here are some links to look at:

http://carstereohelp.net/gotquestionsQ04.htm

http://www.carstereohelp.com/stereoremovalNisMax0.htm

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-CwrBSIm1ls9/cgi-bin/ProdGroup.asp?g=300

Note, Crutchfield lists several aftermarket units that will fit the Max, but I would go cautiously and if you choose to buy from Crutchfield, make sure they can assure you it will interface with the bose amp in your car.

There is a bose replacement knockoff that is available on the internet, but I don't have much faith in it.

So, in conclusion; repair will be quite expensive; replacement head unit requires careful selection for compatibility and installation would best be done by an experienced shop.  UNLESS: You decide to gut out all the Bose electronics and start with a fresh, new system.  The car is worth it in my opinion.  (But, I am not a big bose fan).

Hope this helps.
cleggsan


Answer
Yes, the headunit is that which mounts in the dash.  The amplifiers and other electronics are usually mounted in other locations - such as under the seat or in the trunk.  Although more recently some head units do contain cd changers up to 6 discs.

The problem with bose is that not all head units will match the bose amplifier without modifications. The reason is bose does not follow the universal standards for voltage and impedance matching.  So, great care must be followed.

Crutchfield is the world smartest group of people about what car systems, wiring diagrams, interfaces and such are in use.  They can be trusted 99% of the time match systems properly.