QuestionQUESTION: We have an 04 tundra access cab sr5 that has 6 disk changer that does not
appear to be jbl and we purchased the exact same looking 6 disk changer that
does say jbl on the face both units have the same plugs on the back...
replaced non jbl due to disk changer not working and plugged the jbl unit in
and the volume control does not turn down and is stuck at full blast.... help???
what do we need to do?
ANSWER: Hi Catherine,
Unfortunately, there's no way to make a JBL head unit work with the non-JBL system in this vehicle.
The trouble is that the JBL package included a data-controlled amplifier. The head unit just produces a fixed-level, 2-channel output; the volume, balance and fader functions are controlled through the JBL amplifier, using data commands from the head unit. Your non-JBL audio system also includes a factory amplifier, but it works differently. It's not capable of working with the data commands from the JBL head unit, which is why you can't adjust the volume. Turning the volume knob on your new head unit doesn't affect the output level; it just sends the appropriate data commands to the amplifier, which isn't capable of acting on them.
Obtaining the JBL amplifier for your vehicle wouldn't help you either, because the JBL system uses a different speaker setup, with different wiring and different plugs. Your best bet is to look for a non-JBL CD changer for your truck, or switch to an after-market head unit.
Hope this helps!
Brian
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hello again Brian, I thought I would let you know that I was unable to stop
thinking of ways to get the JBL head unit to function properly in our Tundra
and all my obsessing has paid off. I thought I would open up both the head
units and see if it was possible to remove the disk changer/player and swap
them.... (meaning put the one from the JBL HU into the non JBL) and if it
would be fairly simple. Lo and behold... very easy and took less than an hour
from start to finish AND..... it worked. I now have a fully functioning head unit
and am pleased as punch ;) Thank you very much for your time and input. I
am very glad that I found someone I could ask and to have gotten such a
rapid response. Thanks again. Catherine
AnswerCatherine,
Good thinking! Your solution was one I hadn't thought of, but it makes sense that the same CD changer mechanism would be used in both players. I'm glad you got it fixed, especially as (in response to your earlier follow-up question) you'd have a very difficult time finding a multi-CD changer built into an after-market head unit. 6-CD units are very common in OEM head units, but I don't know of any comparable models in the after-market realm. Hopefully this one will hold up for you better than the original one.
Thanks for the feedback!
Brian
