Head Unit Problems
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 1
Head Unit Problems
This piece of crap head unit came with my 99.5 2.8 A4 and the backlight doesnt work and neither do CDs (CD is inserted into the unit, not in trunk. CD inserted gets "ERROR" on display). The back has all the wires connected except for one which is cut, and one small one that I pulled out of the small hole where the cut one is. Anyone know if this has anything to do with either problem I'm having, or does anyone have any recommendations for a new head unit thats not too expensive?
<img src="http://69.118.200.0:3000/dan/audi/wide.jpg">
<img src="http://69.118.200.0:3000/dan/audi/close.jpg">
Also I've searched and found threads about the high pitched whine that comes out of the speakers when the radio is on but didnt find any real answer that I could understand about getting rid of it. It's unbearable on AM, FM is just an annoyance.
TIA
<img src="http://69.118.200.0:3000/dan/audi/wide.jpg">
<img src="http://69.118.200.0:3000/dan/audi/close.jpg">
Also I've searched and found threads about the high pitched whine that comes out of the speakers when the radio is on but didnt find any real answer that I could understand about getting rid of it. It's unbearable on AM, FM is just an annoyance.
TIA
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
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Thats not an original Audi head unit
You'd never find that many RCA outputs on an Audi head unit. You must have big gaps either side of the front fascia where the OEM Audi radio is so much wider. You can get blanking plates to fill them.
Also those wires hanging out of the top corner don't look like they're meant to be there, looks like a DIY bodge of some sort.
If you flip the top off you should be able to see where they go.
Also those wires hanging out of the top corner don't look like they're meant to be there, looks like a DIY bodge of some sort.
If you flip the top off you should be able to see where they go.
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
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Yeah it's a Sony unit. Would it make sense that there is a separate wire for the backlight
in a sony head unit but not audi's and that's why there are no extra wires? I checked way in behind the unit and all the wires are connected to something.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: NJ
There is a wire for illumination, the cut one might be it...
Im not sure though, im very handy with pioneer units, never messed with a sony one. Usually it doesnt have anything to do with the wiring if there is a CD read error. The disc might be dirty or there is a malfunction with the head unit. All the wiring does is output to your speakers and gives the unit power. If the unit is powdered then its the HU that is not working properly with the CD's. For the wine noise it could be from poor connection between the wires after soldering the wires together. Im not sure if u used a pre-made harness already though, if you did then its probally your speakers.
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
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I've gotten to the bottom of most of my questions through the A4 forum except the backlight issue.
If you could look at the pictures of the inside of the unit I took and let me know what you think I'd appreciate it:
<a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/2408820.phtml">Link to thread</a>
<a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/2408820.phtml">Link to thread</a>
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: NJ
Looks like they could be the culprit...
but again im not positive because ive never worked with Sony units. That could more than likely have somthing to do with which the CD's are not reading. Take it to a local audio place, or even a sony dealer and see if they can take a look at it. They can probally fix it but depending on the unit it might just be worth it to buy a new one. Check out the pioneer units like DEH-p6700mp or the DEH-7700mp, which you can also use the ipod adaptor with so you no longer need CD's.
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,264
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If I get a new head unit wont I still have the same problem because I dont know what those wires are
supposed to be connected to? I checked for wires in my car that were behind the unit that werent connected to anything and couldnt find any. So if I get a new HU how would it get backlight power?
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Junior Member
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you have a defective head unit.......
the cables you are looking at at most likely changer and aux in cables that were ripped out. the reason you get an error display is that the laser doesn't recognize the disc. are you using a commercially prepared disc. the back lighting almost never will run through a factory harness it is most likely defective as well
solution buy a new one it's not worth repair
if you still have engine noise post again
solution buy a new one it's not worth repair
if you still have engine noise post again