Repair or replace Delco/Bose unit
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Kennewick Washingtin
Repair or replace Delco/Bose unit
I am trying decide if I should repair the Bose unit or pull it and replace it with something better. The CD player has issues which seems to be a common problem. If I decide to replace, what will fit the space?
Thanks for any help.
Thanks for any help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,587
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by bobert99338
I am trying decide if I should repair the Bose unit or pull it and replace it with something better. The CD player has issues which seems to be a common problem. If I decide to replace, what will fit the space?
Thanks for any help.
Thanks for any help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,488
Likes: 1,352
I would replace it. Stereo technology has come a long way since our cars were new. You can put a standard size head unit in the car with an installation kit to make it fit. There are some manufacturers who have the larger size that fits the factory opening completely. I believe Pioneer is one and they refer to the size as a din and a half in our cars.
I have a sony head unit and amp with a six disc changer in the rear compartment, the one on the passengers side. There's more to just changing the head unit though because the bose speakers have amps built into them. There are some guys on here who really know this stuff and I'm sure they'll chime in shortly.
I have a sony head unit and amp with a six disc changer in the rear compartment, the one on the passengers side. There's more to just changing the head unit though because the bose speakers have amps built into them. There are some guys on here who really know this stuff and I'm sure they'll chime in shortly.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 652
Likes: 2
if you decide to repair it, I had Dr. Don's do it and give it the capability to play CD-R's. I then installed an FM transmitter that is powered by the cigarette lighter so that I can use my IPOD on 88.3...I also have a 10 CD kenwood changer in the rear storage compartment thatalso has a FM transmitter.
you can do a search online and find dr. don's bose stereo repair ...Im happy with the job they did and the speed of the repair and return.
I like the new stereo systems, but I just didnt feel like changing my car's interior look...its just my personal preference.
you can do a search online and find dr. don's bose stereo repair ...Im happy with the job they did and the speed of the repair and return.
I like the new stereo systems, but I just didnt feel like changing my car's interior look...its just my personal preference.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 22,303
Likes: 216
From: Sussex,Wi
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
Depends on how true-to-stock you want to be.
If true-blue, repair it.
The majority of C4 owners replace it(because, let's face it, our cars aren't the 1%ers)
If true-blue, repair it.
The majority of C4 owners replace it(because, let's face it, our cars aren't the 1%ers)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,110
Likes: 6
From: Red Sox Nation! RI
Replace!!
If it's a cost issue, you'll make out well by looking on ebay for a used Bose head unit. I just did that for my dad's car and saved a few hundred bucks. I replaced mine with a nice Alpine several years ago and it wasn't difficult. You will need a wiring harness kit, a dash kit that the new deck fits into, and possibly a couple of line level adapters if you're maintaining the Bose speakers.
If it's a cost issue, you'll make out well by looking on ebay for a used Bose head unit. I just did that for my dad's car and saved a few hundred bucks. I replaced mine with a nice Alpine several years ago and it wasn't difficult. You will need a wiring harness kit, a dash kit that the new deck fits into, and possibly a couple of line level adapters if you're maintaining the Bose speakers.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,566
Likes: 4
From: Mt Laurel NJ
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Dump it AND the speakers. Go to the Audio section and read the C4 sticky. Some very cool 
info there.
I see you are new to the forum. Replacing the Bose in my car was the reason I found the Forum. Not only did I find the info and parts I needed here, but info on just about anything else that had to do with my car. This is a great place!
Welcome!
info there.I see you are new to the forum. Replacing the Bose in my car was the reason I found the Forum. Not only did I find the info and parts I needed here, but info on just about anything else that had to do with my car. This is a great place!
Welcome!
Last edited by RandyJ75; Jun 4, 2006 at 11:55 PM.
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Drifting
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,478
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From: Sacramento, CA Money can't buy happiness - but it's more comfortable to cry in a Corvette than a Yugo.
If you are not a real audiophile, I'd suggest that you look in the yellow pages and find a local auto radio repair place. Call them and ask about having the CD player component replaced and the head unit checked.
The 88 Vettes did not offer a CD player so I installed a used 94 Camaro head unit that looked just like my original Bose tape head unit but had a CD player. It worked ok, but would skip easily and didn't like my home burned CD-Rs. I took it to a local auto radio restoration place, and for $230 out the door they replaced the CD component with a new one. It looks factory and plays great. I was going to send the speakers to Bose for repair/upgrading, but with the new CD unit they sound like new. It required no re-wiring, looks stock, and sounds great with my home burned audio CD-Rs.
The 88 Vettes did not offer a CD player so I installed a used 94 Camaro head unit that looked just like my original Bose tape head unit but had a CD player. It worked ok, but would skip easily and didn't like my home burned CD-Rs. I took it to a local auto radio restoration place, and for $230 out the door they replaced the CD component with a new one. It looks factory and plays great. I was going to send the speakers to Bose for repair/upgrading, but with the new CD unit they sound like new. It required no re-wiring, looks stock, and sounds great with my home burned audio CD-Rs.
Bench Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,201
Likes: 15
From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
St. Jude '03 thru 14,'25
Originally Posted by stingraymarc
if you decide to repair it, I had Dr. Don's do it and give it the capability to play CD-R's...
Last edited by tobijohn; Jun 5, 2006 at 08:39 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,702
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From: Professional just means you get paid
Originally Posted by tobijohn
I'm not sure I understand. Do you mean the stock Bose CD player will NOT play compilation music CDs that you burn yourself? Even if they're created using the same format as the record companies use on original CDs? Or do you mean the capability of playing MP3s burned to a CD-R? TIA...
My 86 has a world class casstte deck. Woof.
Bench Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,201
Likes: 15
From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
St. Jude '03 thru 14,'25
Originally Posted by Yakko
Old CD player, doesn't know how to decode any format but wave files...
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 646
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From: Santee Ca
If you replace, how much do you want for your speakers and what year is your car?
I need the amplifiers for mine.
I have a CD-R in my 90 unit right now. Occasionally it stops working but I just turn the radio off and back on again and all is well.
I need the amplifiers for mine.
I have a CD-R in my 90 unit right now. Occasionally it stops working but I just turn the radio off and back on again and all is well.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Originally Posted by tobijohn
I don't think the individual tracks on a commercial music CD are in the wave format. I believe it's something else. Guess I'll hit the Internet to confirm that, though...
If you burn your own CDs, I burn all my own from iTunes it will convert your AAC or MP3 files to AIFF (assuming iTunes) and you'll be fine.
R&R the Bose. I personally like it, it kicks butt in my opinion all those aftermarkets system look just like that aftermarket. They just don't fit or flow with the interior.
Check out Dr. Don's, I had mine redone by him he did an excellent job and I upgraded the CD unit with a later generation model. It's not that much more.
http://www.doctordons.com/
Bench Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,201
Likes: 15
From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
St. Jude '03 thru 14,'25
Originally Posted by Jet-Jock
You are correct the native format is AIFF.
If you burn your own CDs, I burn all my own from iTunes it will convert your AAC or MP3 files to AIFF (assuming iTunes) and you'll be fine.
R&R the Bose. I personally like it, it kicks butt in my opinion all those aftermarkets system look just like that aftermarket. They just don't fit or flow with the interior....
If you burn your own CDs, I burn all my own from iTunes it will convert your AAC or MP3 files to AIFF (assuming iTunes) and you'll be fine.
R&R the Bose. I personally like it, it kicks butt in my opinion all those aftermarkets system look just like that aftermarket. They just don't fit or flow with the interior....
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Don't want to hijack, but you can get iTunes on your PC too. It'll bring over all your existing stock of music as well. It's so easy, you create a play list, drag the songs you want from albums or the library, select the playlist and choose burn playlist to CD. That's it, iTunes takes care of the rest. Those AIFF are huge in comparison to say MP3 or AAC, say a 6MB MP3 will be about 60MB AIFF.
As long as it native format you should have no problems whatever s/w you use.
Another nice thing which I believe most folks know is when you buy a DRM latent downloaded music burning it to a CD removes the DRM. (Tip it's the playlist that is limited to 7 burns, so changing the playlist by one song will allow another 7 burns.) Shhh don't tell tho...
As long as it native format you should have no problems whatever s/w you use.
Another nice thing which I believe most folks know is when you buy a DRM latent downloaded music burning it to a CD removes the DRM. (Tip it's the playlist that is limited to 7 burns, so changing the playlist by one song will allow another 7 burns.) Shhh don't tell tho...