Bose potential doom
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 80
From: Fort Mill, SC
Bose potential doom
So my bose started to "click" randomly. I can tell the click is causing a surge to the speakers which could blow them out... I havent even tried a CD which I should, I listen to radio. Newer car to me, 1996.
Is the pending doom? common issue.. its very random and seems to happen after Ive been listening for 30 minutes or so..
What goes wrong on these things? Capacitors? Does one need to dig out all electronics and refresh the caps?
something that was a real surprise to me was how much I enjoy the radio in my c4.. its a weekend toy and I though the exaust note is all I was going to need.. then I discovered the audio system.
EDIT: its not a click, its more of a POP...
thanks
Is the pending doom? common issue.. its very random and seems to happen after Ive been listening for 30 minutes or so..
What goes wrong on these things? Capacitors? Does one need to dig out all electronics and refresh the caps?
something that was a real surprise to me was how much I enjoy the radio in my c4.. its a weekend toy and I though the exaust note is all I was going to need.. then I discovered the audio system.
EDIT: its not a click, its more of a POP...
thanks
Last edited by barchetta1; May 6, 2018 at 07:57 AM.
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,218
Likes: 1,174
From: Southlake, TX
Welcome to Bose Hell
There are well known, well documented problems with these systems. The most common cause(s) are the speaker amps and the CDM. I'm not sure how to diagnose what's what, but I have a feeling you are eventualy looking at one, the other or both.
Here is how to replace the CDM. The video says 90-91 but the 96 is pretty much the same:
I did mine in 4 hours. It is pretty straight forward job but you need "little kid fingers" as it is super tight and tangled with wires.
This one talk about amps with a bit of trouble shooting.
By todays standards the system is ..."OK." but back in the day it was very good.
I ended up replacing the CDM and all four amps (2 for PM) and spent $1100.
There are well known, well documented problems with these systems. The most common cause(s) are the speaker amps and the CDM. I'm not sure how to diagnose what's what, but I have a feeling you are eventualy looking at one, the other or both.
Here is how to replace the CDM. The video says 90-91 but the 96 is pretty much the same:
I did mine in 4 hours. It is pretty straight forward job but you need "little kid fingers" as it is super tight and tangled with wires.
This one talk about amps with a bit of trouble shooting.
By todays standards the system is ..."OK." but back in the day it was very good.
I ended up replacing the CDM and all four amps (2 for PM) and spent $1100.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 287
From: Minnesota
you could try this is you actually get to the point where you may want to fix them yourself. for me, i really like the factory Bose systems but as you will find out, most hate them and rip everything out and install aftermarket. the fix can be as cheap as $30 if you are handy with a soldering tool. this link is to a 4-part video series i made to DIY repair the amps as well as provide information on the other options out there. Good Luck 
Last edited by mark970; May 6, 2018 at 09:41 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 80
From: Fort Mill, SC
Welcome to Bose Hell
There are well known, well documented problems with these systems. The most common cause(s) are the speaker amps and the CDM. I'm not sure how to diagnose what's what, but I have a feeling you are eventualy looking at one, the other or both.
Here is how to replace the CDM. The video says 90-91 but the 96 is pretty much the same:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z7A2OtdRIM
I did mine in 4 hours. It is pretty straight forward job but you need "little kid fingers" as it is super tight and tangled with wires.
This one talk about amps with a bit of trouble shooting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqvqzmOxLek
By todays standards the system is ..."OK." but back in the day it was very good.
I ended up replacing the CDM and all four amps (2 for PM) and spent $1100.
There are well known, well documented problems with these systems. The most common cause(s) are the speaker amps and the CDM. I'm not sure how to diagnose what's what, but I have a feeling you are eventualy looking at one, the other or both.
Here is how to replace the CDM. The video says 90-91 but the 96 is pretty much the same:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z7A2OtdRIM
I did mine in 4 hours. It is pretty straight forward job but you need "little kid fingers" as it is super tight and tangled with wires.
This one talk about amps with a bit of trouble shooting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqvqzmOxLek
By todays standards the system is ..."OK." but back in the day it was very good.
I ended up replacing the CDM and all four amps (2 for PM) and spent $1100.
Happy to see my cdm is in the pocket behind pass seat.. WOW what a cluster if you are 90-93! Its practically serviceable. Need to determin if pops are from 1 spk or all. if its all then its the CDM.. I should probably do all the caps regardless. Now is the time.. bad caps take out remaining electronics............. thank you for these.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 80
From: Fort Mill, SC
you could try this is you actually get to the point where you may want to fix them yourself. for me, i really like the factory Bose systems but as you will find out, most hate them and rip everything out and install aftermarket. the fix can be as cheap as $30 if you are handy with a soldering tool. this link is to a 4-part video series i made to DIY repair the amps as well as provide information on the other options out there. Good Luck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYgd...tBWGr0wv-aAzXx
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5Ci...tBWGr0wv-aAzXx
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH6S...tBWGr0wv-aAzXx
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bhk...tBWGr0wv-aAzXx
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYgd...tBWGr0wv-aAzXx
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5Ci...tBWGr0wv-aAzXx
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH6S...tBWGr0wv-aAzXx
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bhk...tBWGr0wv-aAzXx
Nice! Pulled CDM just because it was easy.. actually getting the connectors loose SUCKED.. but its out. No physical signs of caps being blown but in my experience that means nothing.. It sure seemed like popping was from all speakers but maybe it is an amp or 2. Going to watch these vids and take it next step. Id like to repair this myself and spend money on tires.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 80
From: Fort Mill, SC
Well, decided to re-install the CDM and I made matters worse. Now the head unit will not turn on. Visually checked fuses but I will check for voltage and continuity.
Im embarrassed to say, I did not disconnect battery when I removed and re-installed the CDM. Didnt think it would be an issue. Idiot.
If I press the volume button I get the back light and time. so, well crap.
I will fix it.. just feel stupid for not removing power.. I forget this is 1990 electronics which have limited protection for something like this.
It ok, wife and I just got in a fight.. just got out of going to in laws and have lots of time today.. cool.
Im embarrassed to say, I did not disconnect battery when I removed and re-installed the CDM. Didnt think it would be an issue. Idiot.
If I press the volume button I get the back light and time. so, well crap.
I will fix it.. just feel stupid for not removing power.. I forget this is 1990 electronics which have limited protection for something like this.
It ok, wife and I just got in a fight.. just got out of going to in laws and have lots of time today.. cool.
