Kenwood Radio problems

[daffodildeb]

When I bought my Boxster, it had a Porsche radio in it with a cassette player. I don't have cassettes anymore, and I listen to audiobooks on CD as I drive. We bought a Kenwood radio from Crutchfields. My problem is that the sound doesn't come on all the time when I start the engine. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. When it doesn't, I can see the seconds counting down on the panel, so it's playing the audiobook. Occasionally it will suddenly start playing after a few minutes, where ever it is at that point in the book, so I have to hunt for where it was when I last parked. If I turn off the radio, then restart it, cycle through all of the Pandora, local radio, etc., and get back to the CD setting, it will usually have sound immediately. I shouldn't have to do that, though

This seems like a problem within the radio itself, or the settings. The buttons are so tiny I can't read them even when parked. The instruction manual didn't help. Any idea where to start troubleshooting? I'm about ready to toss it in the trash.

[rexcramer]

Crutchfield's tech support is usually very good. Have you contacted them for help sorting this out?

[daffodildeb]

Not for this particular problem. We were in contact several times during the installation. (Never again will we DIY a radio!) I'll have hubby give 'em a call.

Does this sound like a defective radio problem or a defective installation issue?

[KevinH1990]

Do you have an amplifier in the front trunk and did you continue to use it with your new head unit? If you did, I suggest that you check to be sure the wire on the head unit that sends the signal to the amp to turn it on is tightly connected to the adapter that Crutchfield provides to facilitate the installation. If that wire works its way loose, the amp won’t turn on and you won’t have any sound even though the head unit is working. It is also possible that the amp is starting to fail.

[dghii]

+1, especially if it the factory amp.

[Cunningr]

I suggest you check the connections where you installed the unit. A looses connection might cause the audio to drop out.

[daffodildeb]

Thanks, Kevin, that's something we hadn't thought of. We'll check it out.