How-To: Fix KDC-919 (56k unfriendly)

[Focus]

Another source:

http://bestbuy.partsearch.com/Part/Kenwood/Kenwood/KDCMP919/Kenwood/Kenwood/J86002105/New.aspx

 

[Keno1542]

Another source:

http://bestbuy.partsearch.com/Part/Kenwood/Kenwood/KDCMP919/Kenwood/Kenwood/J86002105/New.aspx

this place doesnt have it either, i ordered it from them and like 2 weeks later they said they dont stock it anymore.

 

[Keno1542]

Any updated information on this??? my HU crapped out on me and I'm going to try and replace the ribbon. did you get a new connector plate also?

i have the one i fixed for sale, if you dont wanna mess with yours, click the link in my sig...willing to work on prices

 

[LEXi73]

ordered my cable and completed the switch over...everything works great so far! was not that hard to complete.

 

[FLAMSP]

going to order one soon!

 

[vicious503]

I tried this fix with the part from bestbuy partsearch. When I put it back into my car the head unit went back to its position as if it is going to work but it doesn't turn on. Well at least it isn't sitting half open anymore.

When I hold the reset button and let go I can hear the little motor make some noise but the unit still won't turn on. Sigh.

I will take it apart later and check the soldering.

 

[vicious503]

I resoldered and now it works! So happy.

 

[Laser Blue]

subbi-dub-dub

 

[Jason94Cobra]

Looks like I might have to try this... hope the part is still available...

 

[livelyjay]

I did this to my personal Kenwood deck and it worked fine. Unfortunately the other Kenwood decks I bought that were "broken" have a security code, so I can't use them, even though I fixed them. The fix isn't difficult at all if you follow the instructions.

 

[Jason94Cobra]

Anyone know if they sell this cable complete with a new port so there wouldn't need to be any soldering?

 

[Laser Blue]

What security code? I thought lots o' folks has purchased decks from others on the forum and done the "fix" with fine results. Never heard anyone else mention a code...

I did this to my personal Kenwood deck and it worked fine. Unfortunately the other Kenwood decks I bought that were "broken" have a security code, so I can't use them, even though I fixed them. The fix isn't difficult at all if you follow the instructions.

 

[Laser Blue]

MASSIVE FAIL(lol)

 

[Dr.Sound]

just fixed my headunit.
the deck has been in my evo since I flipped my spicy into tuna canyon in 2003.
it crapped out 3 days ago. ordered the cable same day, got it yesterday, fixed the deck today. all is well. love this unit.

 

[skilletrx]

great write up. just put my radio back together. soldering was the worst part being i this is probably the 2nd time i've ever soldered something. seems like i could drip a boat load on the ribbon and would always be able to clean it off so dont fret about it too much. as far as "flipping" it over to access the back of the ribbon, it took me a while, but i turned the gears to expose the face, then detached the face to get access to the 2 small screws holding the ribbon to the piece its soldered to. gl!

 

[PSUENGR]

Hate to revive this old thread, but it's better than starting a new one.

a month ago I had the ribbon cable failure where the screen stopped working but the radio and everything still functioned. Today, everything stopped working and the face plate just sits in the position waiting for me to insert a CD even though I never pressed the button to do so. If I take the face plate off, the head unit flips back into the normal position where it would be without a face plate. When I re install the face plate it sits for about 5 seconds and then flips down to insert a CD position.

Is my new problem a continuation of the ribbon cable failure or is it something else? I don't want to buy the ribbon cable and fix it if I have a new problem, but the msp had been relegated to my beater car so I don't want to buy a new head unit either.

 

[livelyjay]

It is a continuation of the ribbon cable failure. The blank screen is a single channel of the ribbon cable getting split. The split then moves across the cable cutting off other functions and eventually complete failure of the head unit to function.

 

[PSUENGR]

It is a continuation of the ribbon cable failure. The blank screen is a single channel of the ribbon cable getting split. The split then moves across the cable cutting off other functions and eventually complete failure of the head unit to function.

thanks. Guess I'll order the cable and find someone to solder it for me. my soldering iron broken a while ago and I'm not sure I have the patience to solder something so small. You think TV repair shop would do it for me if I brought them the part and a print out of this thread/instructions? I'm thinking that they would charge less than me even buying a soldering iron and attempting it. If not, any other suggestions?

 

[livelyjay]

It's actually a pretty easy fix. I've done it like three times now and I've had success every time.