Problems with my audio installer! +a question

[LazerBlueP5]

About a week after getting my car I take it in to get an aftermarket (Eclipse) radio installed, as the first component of my future extensive system. Well when I get it back the dash surround around the radio is all scratched up. I confront the installer and demand he replace the dash. Which he does.

Fast forward a week. The dash part comes in, I take it back in to get replaced. When I get my car back I notice when I change the knob to upper vents only (the last one to far right) it doesn't "click" into place like all the other settings. Almost as if he didn't reinstall the cable correctly when putting the dash back in.
I reached under with my hand to make sure it was getting the vent setting and not vent/floor- which (thankfully) it is, but this bothers the heck out of me. I know it has something to do with their shoddy work. I got it done at Tweeter by the way...
Anyway I take a look above my gas pedal under the dash where the vent knob cable is connnected and fiddle with the knob to see how the mechanism works. I can't see why it's not "clicking" into the upper vent position. It rather feels like it's still in-between one of the settings....almost like a loose disconnected feeling.

Sorry for that rant, and I know in the big spectrum thats a ridiculously small problem- however the car is BRAND-new and it should be perfect.....ya know. Anyway, does anyone have a similar problem, like one of the far settings doesn't lock in on your vent knob? Also what can I do to fix it? I couldn't tell what I could have adjusted/changed on the mechanism the wire is attached to?! I appologize again for the stupid rant, just needed to vent.

 

[JrTekSilverP5]

I HAD THAT EXACT PROBLEM... the problem is that there is a cable it the back of the radio thats just HANGING in the way of the rear of the knob... that should be the problem, cause that happend to mine too... if that doesnt work then... i say get them to fix it

 

[LazerBlueP5]

Are you serious. I wouldn't think a wire/cable would obstruct the knob in that way. I mean I can turn it as far as it will go, till it completly wont turn anymore and it doesn't click.
However if you are right (which I'm hoping) how do I move the wire that is obstructing without ripping the dash appart? Can I go thru the glovebox?

 

[JrTekSilverP5]

i honestly dont remember if u can go through the glove box... but the whole peice around the radio CLIPS right off... or u could just take out ur radio... its easy...

 

[LazerBlueP5]

When you had your problem, was it with the temp knob or the vent knob. And which position wasn't locking in?

 

[1sty]

The cables not lined up, go and talk to the Manager of that Tweeter, demand they fix it and remburse the install fee for the bulls***. If they don't I'll get you corperate Tweeters number.

Those cables suck nuts I had to of mine do it at different times. One time it was obviously out of wack the other I had to force the knob and eventualy it knocked itself loose and I reatched it and it was fixxed.

I think what happens is when you pull out the radio bezel it pulls on the vent selection wire which has some retaining clips on it then when you put it back in the cord is still stretched but back in postion and the last selection get out of range. If you remove the glove box there is the cable attach ment. Disconnect it and then move around the dial then reatch it.

Tweeter should do it though without question. Keep me posted, I hate shaddy installer in My company!

by the way post something like this inthe audio Forum. That way all those that have done audio upgrades are likely to read it and thats what were there for. We have a few very experienced installers on this board.

 

[JrTekSilverP5]

When you had your problem, was it with the temp knob or the vent knob. And which position wasn't locking in?

it was the vent knob... trust me... take off the glove box and try and move the wire thats in the way of the knob... it WILL work...

 

[custompr5]

the clip on the cable is not secured in place..pull down your glove box,then pulee it out(it just snaps out) you'll see a bunch of white plastic,there the cable is run to and a hoop attaches it to the piece that opens and the heat,makes it hot or cold..make sure th clip is clipped on to the white piece stickout out..after that get over to the drivers side, look under there up on the right,same set up ,same procedure..

 

[LazerBlueP5]

Yeah the cables are run to opposite sides meaning the temp goes to the rear of the glovebox and the vent knob leads to an area above the gas pedal. I checked it and it looks completly secure. I even visually compared it to my moms Protege5. JrTekSilverP5 might be on to something- I tried today to try and reach in thru the glove box and move any wires that were obstructing the rear of the dial. Either I couldn't reach or I wasn't hitting the right spot.

Now, today, after driving with the radio off I noticed a lot of clunking- comming from inside my dash. I think the installer left some wires hanging which are banging against my dash pocket as I drive....DRIVING me absolutly crazy!
This Tweeter totaly sucks rocks man. I can't speak for the company as a whole- but constant problems since I took it there. Sorry no disrespect to you "1st MP3.."

In a standard hedunit install, do they bundle loose wires and audio cables and tuck them so they dont bang around behind the radio? Maybe I'm hyper-sensitive to the noise because the car is new but it's driving me up a wall to hear the clunking of cables against my hollow plastic dash pocket!!!! UGH And the vent knob, thats a whole other story- GRRRR

 

[1sty]

Typicaly the loose wires are covered with soft plastic so you don't have to but yes I ususaly wrap up alot of the cables. i had a similar issue and brought myuself 1/2 way to mad trying to find the rattles. Turned out it was the silver radio bezzel. Are dash is built like s*** and everything rattles. i had to put foam tape on everything and hot glue the pop clips in place. If you have an alpine or other radio that has an outboard dc-dc converter like me I wire tied that in place behind the dash. I keeps it still and make the radio impossible to get out.

I think If you go back to that Tweeter and calmy explain all the problems and that it has been a huge hassle then you can probably get it fixed and get your money back for the install. If you go in ranting and raving then who knows what might happen.

 

[LazerBlueP5]

No, I wouldn't do that- that's what this board is for....ranting. I'm always calm and respectfull. And as a matter of fact so far they have been helpfull. However I know for a fact they don't like me, I'm more of a pest to them of sorts.
I'm gonna call tomorrow when my installer is back in and see what he can do. If, for some reason, he can't fix the cable- what should I do then? Ask them to replace it again?! It was a $300 part!....believe it or not
Lastly do you have any advice on areas I should apply the foam tape to reduce the rattles?

 

[1sty]

Th eback of the bezzle and when the bezzle is off glue the metal pop clips in place other wise they rattle even when the peice is back on.

To be honest i would go right to the manager otherwise when you do it will be hard to recall everything that has happened. Tell them you don't want to be a pest but you find this install unexceptable.

 

[LazerBlueP5]

The problem is the installer IS the manager. Well the Car audio install manager. The guy above him is the "Moble" manager. I really dont want to piss him off by going over his head. I'm gonna see if he'll do what it takes to fix my problem before I start bringing upper management into it. Wish me luck- calling them tomorrow.

 

[1sty]

Forget that! Go to the store manager, I have been on both sides of such a situation. Its better if you go to the top ASAP!

 

[LazerBlueP5]

Ok, UPDATE.....the vent knob was fixed. They released the cable, wiggled the knob, and reconnected it and it's fine.
They "did their best" to bundle the wires/rcas behind the radio so they wouldn't cause noise banging against my dash pocket.

So I was driving it home, happy, beings my problems have been sucessfully fixed. And I start hitting harder bumps and hear a clunking again comming from my dash pocket. This time it sounds like it's the actual plastic of the dash kit being noisy. Maybe the pocket is vibrating up against the bottom of the radio...I'm not sure. I ordered the "Best Kits" kit...does anyone else on here use this kit? Lastly, when I push up on the bottom of my radio from underneath, in the dash pocket, the whole kit it'self has about 1/8" of play. In other words it wiggles a little bit vertically. Is this normal?...or are kit's supposed to be tight and solid?

 

[Boxer6]

Wow! I feel sorry for you! Hopefully they didn't stripe the screws. They should be on tight and solid...(hmm)

 

[LazerBlueP5]

Well I'm going to have to take it back, again for the 3rd time this week sometime. UGH As I drove it this weekend I've found that it is, indeed the kit. The bottom of the kit has a little bit of play both up and down and in and out if I press on it at the bottom. Darn!...who would think a simple headunit install would spiral into this many problems!!!!!

 

[LazerBlueP5]

Wait?! DOES the kit actually screw into the dash?