Head unit just shut off

[MrRoseBlackMSP]

Yea so im driving my girlfriend home tonight and my head unit was on tuner and all of a sudden the thing just shuts itself off and folds half out like it would right before i shut off the car, so i take it out put it back in i try this for 10 minutes then decide to rest the system and it came back on, i dont know why it happened but it pissed me off something fierce, now i have to put all that time reprograming the head unit...does anyone know why something like this happened or does mazda just like to play with peoples emotions like that??????:wtf:

 

[Dexter]

dunno what the problem is, mine did the same thing once.

pressed the reset button, its been fine.

 

[03Speed]

No one up at mazda know what the problem is. Your lucky that you were able to reset yours. Im already on im 5th radio, and they dont have any answers for me.

Oh, the reset button didnt work for me at all.

 

[Newf]

With the problems with these head units I think they should get kenwood to recall them, and put in something else. This is pathetic. Maybe I should take the z828 out before I sell the mp3. That thing has been flawless since day one.

 

[nmaino]

Mine did that too, it is in the shop right now. I hit the reset and it has worked, but this is the second time that it has happened, makes one think.

 

[ARunto]

Happened to me as well....I tried the reset button and it didn't work so I disconnected the battery and it started working again.

 

[Heathen23]

I have the same issue everyone has stated here. The reset button did the trick. It's a pain in the ass because you have to go back and fix all the settings, not to mention it usually happens when you are out on the road enjoying music

The head unit is a POS

 

[03Speed]

id have to agree with Heathen23 "The head unit is a POS"!!!

 

[nmaino]

Well, just got the call from the dealer, they are going to replace the head unit! Haha, I get a new one for free, hope this one works better.

 

[ping]

I found that it seems to be the contacts between the face and the h/u - I played with mine and (knock on my head) it hasn't acted up in a month. Had the same problem with it all-of-a-sudden (and in the middle of a GREAT Blues Traveler riff) shutting down, folding up, and sticking its tongue out at me plbththth. I removed the face, checked and tweaked the contacts between the face and h/u, and it's OK now.

To me, the sound is GREAT, but the h/u itself, the user interface, and the durability is in question. Anyone have a recommendation on a decent replacement - something with bigger buttons, perhaps less flash, same/similar features and sound? Oh - and if it plugs right in, so much the better!

 

[1sty]

DId everyone have the radio up loud when it just folded up?

Did everyones just fold up or did it turn off and stay where it was?

Once folded up, will it come back down with the next key cycle?
If yes does it come back on but has lost its settings?

Oh by the way kenwood not mazda.

 

[ping]

1st MP3 in NH: Mine wasn't too loud (had my 10-year-old son in the car the first time it happened), it folded up and that was that. Upper left corner opened it, it stayed open but didn't play or turn on, then folded halfway, then closed. After I removed the face and twiddled with the contacts (making sure they were sticking up and aligned, and cleaned with a small very mild abrasive (a pencil eraser, careful to remove any trace of rubber particles), I tuned the car off, replaced the face, and was off to the races again.

Happened twice in a week, then hasn't recurred in a month.

Still want a simpler interface, this one's too flashy and the buttons too small (but the sound is great). Or maybe I'm getting too old... nyah!

 

[1sty]

I would agree, I hate that radio.

 

[Heathen23]

DId everyone have the radio up loud when it just folded up?

Not me. Normal listening levels the first time. Loud levels the second and third time. The result was identical....In mid play of a CD it just turned off, folded halfway (flat like a table) then stopped in mid flip. It only revived when I used the reset. One thing I have noticed is it never happens when listening to the radio....1stMP3 are you thinking it's power strength or power source related?

Like PING said, is there a HU that could swap with this unit very easily? My interests aren't really car audio (although cool) and I would just want something that's very "plug and play" to the current system components allowing for a similar sound quality and ease of transition.

Oh, PING, just change your display settings and it's not flashy anymore. I just change it to "Display B" and have the clock and Title displayed.

 

[1sty]

For $279 I would get the Kenwood KDC-X569. It has been a good unit for us so far. No coplaints and it has MP3, Crossovers and subwoofer level controls. Its also not a phantom face crap so one less thing to break and be an issue. The KDC-X469 is crap and should never be purchased. Plus it does not have MP3.
The benifit of using another kenwood is that the radios cage doesn not have to be removed it can be reused.

I would personaly get an alpine but I don't like radios without built in crossovers so in Alpines line you will need to get the CDA-9811. Which is about $300 but doesn't have MP3. YOu can go down one unit to the CDA-9807 and get MP3 but loose the crossovers or go up to the CDA-9813 and get both but pay $400.

 

[1sty]

I am also thinking that maybe the extra tweeters in the MSP are cuasing an issue as they are likely creating a 2 ohm load for the radio. Which is never a good thing.

 

[Heathen23]

For $279 I would get the Kenwood KDC-X569. It has been a good unit for us so far. No coplaints and it has MP3, Crossovers and subwoofer level controls. Its also not a phantom face crap so one less thing to break and be an issue. The KDC-X469 is crap and should never be purchased. Plus it does not have MP3.

1st Mp3 in NH you are the man! I will be saving your recommendations so when the frustration mounts beyond my tolerance I will just shell out the cash and get on with it. Thank you!

 

[1sty]

Thse ar just suggestions that I like for there features.
Which features do you want?

 

[Heathen23]

Thse ar just suggestions that I like for there features.

No rush now, more of a back-up plan for when the "angry" gets the better of me and I don't want to replace a POS with the same POS. I will be sure to pester you further when it's really time to replace the stock HU

 

[ping]

Would the KDC-X569 plug right in? Any additional wiring/etc. necessary? I'll have to check in out on Crutchfield or something...

I like the audio features of the current unit, but the flip-fold seems to be a broken unit waiting to happen, the display (esp. the blue volume ring) is bright and distracting (althoughI've set it on "Boring"), and the buttons are too small even for munchkins.

Need:
- Good FM and AM tuners (live far from the stations)
- CD/MP3
- Ability to work the current speaker setup, sound that's no worse than the stock unit (I kind of like the sound)
- Sturdy
- Clear display and a user interface (buttons, lighting) that's easily used while driving.