Head Unit Repair

[spackelman]

I have a pioneer deh-p960mp head unit (the face folds down to reveal the oel dispaly and function buttons). Installed the unit about 18 months ago. Has been working great until recently.

When I hit the "open" button to flip down the face, the unit turns off and the face folds up and down repeatedly until I hit the "reset " button. With the face closed, the unit does work (radio and CD).

If anyone has any info on this hu and this particular problem, all would be appreciated.

Paid about $450.00 for this and it does sound great. I do have a 2 year warrenty which I might have to utilize.

Thanks again.

[PaulD]

if it's a removable face plate, take it off and clean the contacts on the face AND the body of the unit with an eraser.

[spackelman]

Originally Posted by PaulD

if it's a removable face plate, take it off and clean the contacts on the face AND the body of the unit with an eraser.

Yea, the face plate is removable.

I visually inspected the contacts - they looked clean. Never thought to physically clean them.

Its worth a shot.

[PlayStation3]

and besides with you have a warrenty why not use it

[spackelman]

Originally Posted by PlayStation3

and besides with you have a warrenty why not use it

I will - just trying to find out if this is an inherent problem or if a circuit fried or if the drive motor is bad or what.

I tried all over the internet so far, nothing came back except you guys. AF is great.

[PaulD]

late model alpines had the same problems, ended up being a motor problem - but those would be just get stuck. Yours sounds like some kind of processor problem.

[spackelman]

Originally Posted by PaulD

late model alpines had the same problems, ended up being a motor problem - but those would be just get stuck. Yours sounds like some kind of processor problem.

For those who want to know-

I figured out what the problem is. There is a flat type wire, (13 leads) that connects the face plate carrying frame to the unit. The face plate is connected to the carrying frame. When in the folded (closed position) this connector is folded like a piece of paper in half. I could "wiggle" this connector during the face plate oscillations and it would stop.

Upon closer inspection, you can see the insulation has worn off at the 'bend" in the connector.

Simply, its a bad design. How often can you bend a paper thin copper conductor in half before it breaks. Everytime the face plate would open - it was another bend.

The big question is what will Pioneer do about this.

I'll be back...

[spackelman]

Bump

[PaulD]

if it's still in warranty, they should fix it

[djmykeball]

hey spackleman..i have the exact same head unit as you, the pioneer deh-960mp and the exact same problem..what exactly did you do in order to fix it because it is a pain to have it not working?

[spackelman]

I ended up putting the factory stero back in the truck.

Never had the unit fixed - time hasn't been on my side. I will bring it to a factory service center near me and either have them fix it or by the cable and fix it myself.

I don't think I was able to find an online source for the flat connector cable.

I also thought, whats the point - it will break again. A bad design.

Let me know what you do.