Radio troubleshooting
 

Hi, I bought an 2003 S from auction which needed repairs after being in an accident. It has the Bose stereo with the bass box behind the seat which does not work. It will turn on, and it says "Porsche" on the display but there's no volume.
Any ideas what I should check for besides fuses which seem to be ok?

Check that the amp is powering on in the frunk? I cannot remember if the head unit pulls power from the amp or directly itself.

It's definitely not powering up. I'm assuming it's not because the fan isn't spinning. I might dig into the wiring next to see if it's cut anywhere.

check out this thread:

http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-general-discussions/27651-my-amplifier-stopped-working-help.html

4 asterisks?
 

are there 4 asterisks on the display below the Porsche.

This would indicate you need to input a 4 digit code.

I wish I could be more help. At least you can probably narrow the search down to the amp if it indeed is not powering up. I also don't know if the amp has a separate fuse or not. I would assume it has the same fuse as the head unit, but you never know. Would be nice if it was just a simple bad fuse issue. If fuse is ok, I'd try unplugging the amp and plugging back in just to make sure it has a good seated connection

Does anyone actually look at the little piece of paper in their fuse panel, or do a google search for 986 fuse panel?

Nope nothing like that. I can actually flip through radio stations, adjust settings, etc. just no sound.

The fuses were the first thing I checked. I wouldn't be posting if the problem was a blown fuse.

that was directed at everyone else that just posts what they assume without even knowing.

Have you take the radio out to see if things are hooked up? Is the amp in the front trunk hooked up? Tuned the fader to front speakers?

You have a 2003 so there is no radio code. The radio is coded to the ECU, it will only work in your car. If this radio isn't the original radio in your car, that might be the problem, I don't know what happens when another CDR-23 is installed in a car, other than it won't work. 2003 also uses the MOST fiber optic bus, so it could be something related to that. These two things are different in the 2003 and 2004 986's vs all the earlier years. That's all I've got, sorry I don't have a real answer.

Having a most system or not wont be the issue. Doubt a different radio was actually put in also.

Since this is new to you, I would start again with the simple stuff, change the fader to be on the front speakers. If that doesnt do anything then move on to wiring. easiest to check is the amp in the front trunk. There will be 2 connectors...the most(fiber optic cables) and a bigger one with power & speaker input & output wires.

If all that checks out and is connected move on to the radio & look for the same.

If all that checks out, the front amp could be bad. I would spend any time checking the speaker tray. if the front dont work then the rears will most likely not work either. Most common is a cable disconnected or a bad amp.

So you're that dick in the forum. Got it

Yup. It's called GOOGLE and SEARCH. Should learn to use them