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2004 996 CDR23 Radio - No Sound

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Neil-R

PCGB Member
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The radio on my 996 C4S has no sound. It lights up OK and picks up stations but unfortunately no sound. It is the Fibre optic unit with separate amplifier in the frunk. I am trying to establish whether it is the head unit or the amplifier at fault before I send for repair. Is there any easy way of checking? One suggestion was that I should look for a red light on the output connection on the head unit
( mine is currently not showing this) but not sure if this is reliable indicator of head unit fault. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I really would like to know which item need to be sent for likely (expensive!) repair. Thanks, Neil.
 
First of all, did you check the fuses? There is a separate fuse for the amplifier - D9.

The head units are pretty reliable. If it is lighting up and displaying stations I would be surprised if anything is wrong with it.

Do you have a CD Changer? If so, that's another possibility. The Head unit, Amplifier, and CDC are connected by the fibre optic loop, which transmits sound and control signals. If either the amp or CDC go down, the sound stops.

A simple check for the CDC is to see if the cartridge ejects. If it doesn't, then the glass fuse on the circuit board may have blown. (The CDC needs to be taken out and the cover removed to change it). Another option, if you don't use it, is to put a fibre optic loop on the MOST plug to eliminate it from the system.

The weak part of the audio system is the Bose amp, and it isn't uncommon for them to fail. If everything else checks out OK, I would look for a used amplifier on eBay, or from a breaker. I don't think there is anyone who offers a service to repair them.
 
Thank you for your response. I have just checked CD operation. The head unit CD operates ok (Without sound) but when I push button several times for CDC nothing happens so I guess fault might be there. I will obtain a fibre optic loop and try that as suggested. The amplifier on mine is not Bose but the Becker BE6600 DSP amplifier 996.645.331.03 , original so fault could also lie there?
 
If the amplifier is faulty, causing a break in the fibre optic loop, then the CDR23 head unit will not operate the CDC. The MOST loop transmits control signals as well as sound, hence no control over the CDC. If it ejects the cartridge, then the CDC has power, and in my opinion is less likely to be the problem. Try the optic loop, and at least it will eliminate the CDC, but I think it is more likely to be a problem with the amp. Trouble is, there isn't a way to self-test it.
 
did you have any joy resolving your problems? My C2 has exactly the same setup & the identical problem.
 
Unfortunately haven't resolved it yet. Took a punt on buying a working head unit from ebay. Took it to my local Porsche Indie to link it to my car. It worked but still no sound!! So I think the problem lies with the separate amplifier which is in my Frunk. Have found a car audio repairer who has dealt with many Porsche units so have now handed both head unit and amplifier to him for further investigation. Won't get any feedback for a week or so as I am away but will let you know when I have more info. Cheers, Neil.
 
Neil-R said:
Unfortunately haven't resolved it yet. Took a punt on buying a working head unit from ebay. Took it to my local Porsche Indie to link it to my car. It worked but still no sound!! So I think the problem lies with the separate amplifier which is in my Frunk. Have found a car audio repairer who has dealt with many Porsche units so have now handed both head unit and amplifier to him for further investigation. Won't get any feedback for a week or so as I am away but will let you know when I have more info. Cheers, Neil.
Thanks Neil . I bought a 2nd hand Becker amp to try - though I did not realise it had to be paired at the time . When I connected it the head unit display was doing strange things . Normally the head unit performs exactly as it should but zero sound .
so am am I pretty sure the amp is my problem too.
such a shame the the Bose ones are so much cheaper & much easier to get .
let me know how the repair goes please .
darren
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Hi Darren, Sorry this has taken a while due to other non-car issues but finally have resolved it with the help of my local car radio specialist. Both head unit and amplifier were tested and found to be ok. So next I removed the CDC changer and we by passed it with a wire loop connector which was a very simple job. This resulted in the radio working perfectly. So maybe this might be a solution for you if you have not already resolved it. I have asked to have the CDC changer tested to see if it can be repaired. In the meantime I have sound again!
 
A fibre optic loop wire was fitted to the original cdc connector. These loops are readily available - I have seen some very cheap ones on ebay but not sure of the quality. If you are happy to let me have your email I will send you the pictures of the connectors. I have tried sending them on here but failed - think files are too large.
 
Neil-R said:
A fibre optic loop wire was fitted to the original cdc connector. These loops are readily available - I have seen some very cheap ones on ebay but not sure of the quality. If you are happy to let me have your email I will send you the pictures of the connectors. I have tried sending them on here but failed - think files are too large.
Click to expand...
PM sent

 
i also had a problem where my radio was on but no sound.
the gentleman who pointed out that the cd changer may have blown was correct.I took the cd changer out,took the mount off,and the circuit board cover,which is one screw,the 2 amp fuse had blown.Changed fuse,reinstalled and the system is working again.
Great advice.Many thanks ????
 
Richard,thanks for your post.It is exactly as you said,changed fuse in my cd changer and the system is working again.
many thanks to you.
 
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