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Snake is dead

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Old 03-23-09, 07:12 PM
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Snake is dead

I am in the process of attempting to get my stereo back functioning. The CD player and the tape player have both failed. When a CD or Tape is inserted both will attempt to start and the speakers make a popping sound and then the deck decides it doesn't want to play them spits them out and makes another pop. The FM and AM are working even though the antenna mast is not. I still get a pop sound when the radio is turned on or off. I didn't notice any sound from the rear so I opened the hatch and confirmed the SNAKE was DEAD. I have just puchased a JVC KD-AHD59 with two sets of 5V preouts.

<http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_17382_JVC+Arsenal+KD-AHD59.html?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=organic&u tm_campaign=froogle#>

I also bought a set of JL audio RCA to speaker wire molded plugs so i can wire the RCAs to the original wires thereby bypassing the internal amps in the JVC and eliminating the need for the scosche adapter.

<http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_17481_JL+Audio+XB-CLRAIC2-SW.html?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_ campaign=froogle>


Is there a way to test if the BOSE Amp for the snake is receiving its signal from the stock Headunit? Would it be possible for the snake amp to damage the head unit if it has failed? Where exactly is the snake amp located? I read that it was on the driver side of the car mounted somewhere in the rear. I didn't see any modules that looked like where an amp could be. Is it inside or under the tube somewhere? I will continue to search for answers but if someone knows the link to answers or has some experience with the popping sounds, CD tape ejection, and the dead snake I would appreciate your input.
Old 03-26-09, 03:23 PM
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Ok so I took out the snake and the amps. Took a voltmeter to the connector of the snake and checked. Some things. I found that the amp power 12 V is present. And when the radio is on I have four 5V signals for coming from the head unit. Measured all 4 referenced to ground. I realize the speaker signals are going to be differential but it is really difficult for me to see the small signals. I dont have a Oscilliscope handy at home. Does the BOSE Head Unit have 5V line outs. I believe the current head unit is supplying the signals to the amps. I can't really say whether or not they are correct but since i saw the same level to ground on each line I would think that the BOSE head unit is outputting a small differential signal with a common mode signal of 5V compared to ground. It will be nice to see what the new head unit signals look like when its hooked up. I will be posting more about my adventures in the days ahead.

Oh yeah the JVC head units now have variable screen and button colors that match the amber RX7 lights great. Also its a nice black color with minimal flashy symbols or silver colors. The one thing is does not have is a separate power antenna wire for when the radio is on. Not sure how im gonna deal with this. I don't want my car to look like some kid is controlling me every time i turn the head unit on. The stupid antenna makes it look like an RC car. Not that mine actually works right now but its on my list to get the mast fixed. I guess I will have to get some sort of switch to I can control when the antenna is activated. Is there any extra option switches that some RX7s had that the 93 Touring did not have that I could add and wire to the antenna.
Old 03-30-09, 04:03 PM
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Hey...Cut it out!

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You might consider getting another Fog light or Rear Defrost Switch and placing it in the 3rd switch spot (right behind the shifter). It would make for a very simple and clean install.

PS: You've created a Time Paradox! Snake? Snake? SNNNNAAAAAAKKKKKKEEEE!
Old 06-19-09, 06:55 PM
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Ok so just so update this. The Bose amps were dead. I bought a set from a forum member for 50 bucks. I installed the stereo and hooked the front speaker amps to the front channel preouts and the snake to the subwoofer preouts. I get alot of volume from the front speakers. I can tell now that the popping sound I was hearing from the speakers is from the center speaker. I think the amp is in bad shape. It still plays but it crackles if I turn up the volume really loud. The only problem I have with the setup is that I cant really get the snake to put out the volume I would like. If the preouts were 5.5V or 6V that may have let the snake go a bit louder. However with that said the volume level is plenty for listening just don't expect to rattle the neighbors windows with it.

The color match of the JVC head unit is great it has a day and night setting that you can customize to basically any color. I went with bright amber during the day and a low amber at night. You can turn up the green even to give it that slight green hue that you normally see behind the speedometer.

I found something else out when i sorta hooked up the stereo before i got my RCA to speaker wire adapters. With the JVC head unit you dont need that schocse adapter or preouts to hook it up. It has a setting for low power output. and it has a volume adjust that will limit the volume by +-10 on a scale of 0-50. So basically if you set it for low power and -10 you can use the head unit like that without over powering the input to the amps. I only used the preouts so i could use the low pass subwoofer crossover control of the head unit.

I suggest for the wiring harness adapter get the one from PAC that is built to adapt to the PAC OEM-1.
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...C+AMP-MAZ.html

It has the Amp Turn on wire built into the harness. So no moving wires from another place to make it work. Just cut off the end that would go to the PAC OEM-1 and get some quick disconnects and you can wire the whole thing in the living room. Just remember to wire the Remote turn on wire to the Amp turn on. If you want the antenna to work go ahead and splice that one into the Remote turn on as well. The JVC has only one remote turn on. I wish it had a separate antenna turn on for when the radio is activated. The PAC harness does have the separate wire for the antenna. I just left it unhooked for now since my mast is broken.

If you choose you can solder everything and use shrink tube. The good part about all this is you can do it outside of the car. Your choice to use RCA outputs or not. Either way it works.

So now I need a center channel amp and I still need a 93 R1 Din Pocket. That hole in the dash is annoying. Someone out there please hook me up.
Old 02-02-10, 01:29 AM
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So my purchased rear amps also died so I did this to repair a set

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ferrerid=90185
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