Audio System Overhaul

[BrooseDaMoose]

Yeah, that’s not it. Hope he didn’t fry something. But that does not sound good to me if it’s not the fuse. There are two fuse boxes. If I were you I would be hoping he checked the wrong fuse.

I mean, it’s possible, but I know this guy very well and he is top notch! I’ve known him for 30+ years! He does all high end stuff like Mercedes, BMW, Ferrari, etc. so he knows what he’s doing. But I guess even the best can screw up once in a while. I don’t know how because it’s pretty much plug-n-play with the ZEN. I hope it’s not the case but, if it is, he will make it right.


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[MrBigglesworrth]

I mean, it’s possible, but I know this guy very well and he is top notch! I’ve known him for 30+ years! He does all high end stuff like Mercedes, BMW, Ferrari, etc. so he knows what he’s doing. But I guess even the best can screw up once in a while. I don’t know how because it’s pretty much plug-n-play with the ZEN. I hope it’s not the case but, if it is, he will make it right.


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It is definitely plug and play. That simple. What doesn’t make sense is the fact you have lost your screen. That doesn’t strike me as a zen issue at all. He wouldn’t have had to mess with the screen either. All the connections are in the back. It’s not like he removed the screen and then it stopped working. He would have never touched it. So the fact that it’s dead would be concerning to me. Once again, I would triple check that he checked the correct fuse and really hope that is the issue.

 

[BrooseDaMoose]

So here's the update; I went to the shop and the screen is lighting up and works fine. The problem he is having is there is no signal at the A2B in the back. Even when he put the factory amp back in it doesn't work. Right now he thinks it lost communication with the ACM and needs to be reprogrammed. Either that or he did in fact fry it. But would the screen still power up and the warning chimes still work if it was fried?

 

[Cruising68]

So here's the update; I went to the shop and the screen is lighting up and works fine. The problem he is having is there is no signal at the A2B in the back. Even when he put the factory amp back in it doesn't work. Right now he thinks it lost communication with the ACM and needs to be reprogrammed. Either that or he did in fact fry it. But would the screen still power up and the warning chimes still work if it was fried?

Strange indeed. I added a zen and bunch of amps myself and it was really plug and play simple. No need to touch the dash. Curious what he could have done. Maybe unplugging something that had power at that moment? I did disconnect the battery when I did mine.

Good luck and keep us posted.


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[MrBigglesworrth]

So here's the update; I went to the shop and the screen is lighting up and works fine. The problem he is having is there is no signal at the A2B in the back. Even when he put the factory amp back in it doesn't work. Right now he thinks it lost communication with the ACM and needs to be reprogrammed. Either that or he did in fact fry it. But would the screen still power up and the warning chimes still work if it was fried?

I had same issue. Tiny fuse in engine bay fuse block had fried. I think it’s #127. But I could be wrong.

 

[BrooseDaMoose]

I checked and #115 and #127 are for the amplifier and are located in the engine bay. The ACM fuse is #32 and is located inside the vehicle. He said he checked them but would check again. I should be able to check the ACM with FORScan right?

 

[MrBigglesworrth]

I checked and #115 and #127 are for the amplifier and are located in the engine bay. The ACM fuse is #32 and is located inside the vehicle. He said he checked them but would check again. I should be able to check the ACM with FORScan right?

When I wasn’t getting power at the nav/amp it was because #127 was blown. They are the tiny fuses. I seriously think it is just a fuse.

 

[BrooseDaMoose]

I just talked to him and it's definately not a fuse or a fried ACM. He said he ran a scan with his scan tool and then cleared everything. Unfortunately he didn't write down the codes first. But after clearing the DTC's he plugged the factory amp in and it played for a little while then stopped. I told him to just leave it as is and that I'd be over with my laptop. I'll see what I can find out with FORScan and post the results.

 

[Cruising68]

I just talked to him and it's definately not a fuse or a fried ACM. He said he ran a scan with his scan tool and then cleared everything. Unfortunately he didn't write down the codes first. But after clearing the DTC's he plugged the factory amp in and it played for a little while then stopped. I told him to just leave it as is and that I'd be over with my laptop. I'll see what I can find out with FORScan and post the results.

Brutal. Something strange going on for sure.

Does the screen stay on now when the audio stops?


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[BrooseDaMoose]

The screen is fine. Powers up and works like it should. Chimes also work as they should. When it stops playing the screen displays "Audio Off".

 

[MrBigglesworrth]

The screen is fine. Powers up and works like it should. Chimes also work as they should. When it stops playing the screen displays "Audio Off".

Interesting. Keep us posted.

 

[Cruising68]

The screen is fine. Powers up and works like it should. Chimes also work as they should. When it stops playing the screen displays "Audio Off".

Hmmm. If it says audio off my guess would be something in the head unit since it knows it is not sending audio. Definitely making progress albeit slowly.


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[BrooseDaMoose]

I was able to narrow it down to the purple and white wires that connect the hi/low canbus wires to the ZEN. Every time I cleared the DTC's the radio would play. But as soon as I wiggled the purple and white wires it would quit and throw the codes again. I didn't have time to pull it all apart but he said he would do it later and check the connections. He has someone helping him and I guess he is the one who made the connections. He said the connections are soldered and doesn't think that's it but I was able to repeat the issue three concecutive times!

 

[Cruising68]

Progress. FYI my zen came with a harness so plug and play, no soldering. Got to be somewhere in those wires.


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[BrooseDaMoose]

Yea, I’m not sure why he had to solder the wires. I thought it was all plug-n-play too.


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[UNBROKEN]

Yea, I’m not sure why he had to solder the wires. I thought it was all plug-n-play too.


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It is. That’s the whole point of using one.

 

[banniar]

The harness with the CAN wires is the large 20-pin one that is mostly speaker wires. I'd left it disconnected at first, and the screen would power up but the audio would not turn on. I had to shave a key on my factory harness end to get it to fit into the socket on Zen. Maybe your installer cut wires because he didn't think the harness would plug in? How unfortunate if that is the case...

 

[BrooseDaMoose]

I just talked to him and asked why he had to cut the wires and he said, "That's how it comes. Those are the only two wires you have to splice." So I told him how everyone is saying it should be just plug-n-play and he got mad and said, "Maybe you should have one of those guys do it then." He said he talked to the people at Nav-TV when he fist had the problem and explained how it was hooked up and they said it was correct. I don't know know! What a shit show this turned out to be! I've known this guy for more than 30 years and he's done work for me in the past and his work is so excellent. Everything he does has to be perfect. Nothing can be just "good enough" with him. I wish I had some pic of his work so you could see. I know he will get to the bottom of this and make it right but I don't like the idea that he may be lying to me!

 

[BrooseDaMoose]

So after a long talk this is what I got, after getting everything all hooked up the correct way (plug-n-play), the ZEN was flashing blue and red. He called Nav-TV and they are the ones who told him to splice the wires directly. Something about resistance. Doesn't make sense to me either but that's what they said. Long story short, after having a Ford tech go over the system there is a break in one of the wires of the 21 pin harness. He was able to locate it as one coming from the ACM. So we have ordered a new harness to connect the ACM to the ZEN and hopefuly all should be good. Not sure exactly how this happens but I guess it does. The tech also pointed out that my battery was at about 54% so I'm putting in a new one. He is only charging me $185 for the battery (vs. $249 from Interstate) and installing it at no cost. I'm hoping to have it back by the first of next week. Just depends on how long it takes to get the new harness. I'll sure be glad when this is finally done!

 

[Cruising68]

So after a long talk this is what I got, after getting everything all hooked up the correct way (plug-n-play), the ZEN was flashing blue and red. He called Nav-TV and they are the ones who told him to splice the wires directly. Something about resistance. Doesn't make sense to me either but that's what they said. Long story short, after having a Ford tech go over the system there is a break in one of the wires of the 21 pin harness. He was able to locate it as one coming from the ACM. So we have ordered a new harness to connect the ACM to the ZEN and hopefuly all should be good. Not sure exactly how this happens but I guess it does. The tech also pointed out that my battery was at about 54% so I'm putting in a new one. He is only charging me $185 for the battery (vs. $249 from Interstate) and installing it at no cost. I'm hoping to have it back by the first of next week. Just depends on how long it takes to get the new harness. I'll sure be glad when this is finally done!

Excellent. Electric gremlins are tough to track down sometimes. Good to hear you got it figured out and parts on their way. Kind of disappointing they screwed up the harness. I made wiring harnesses as a youngster and it’s just not that hard imo.


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