2003 C5 Persisting radio issue
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Lewes Delaware
2003 C5 Persisting radio issue
So I am going crazy here. I'm STILL having issues with this stereo system.
So to start out I had a double din touch screen connected to the Bose stuff via a pac adapter. I thought maybe I was losing bass when over taxing the system. But im thinking now, I was actually losing speakers.
So I upgraded and replaced all the Bose speakers and ran them to an amp. Same issue. But this time, everything on the amp (rcas) was cutting out. I've changed head units, ive changed amps, checked wires, replaced the amp power wire and ground, added a capacitor. Same f**king issue. It's driving me nuts. Can the pac adapter or maybe the Bose processor be screwing with something and is there another harness adapter I can use since the Bose stuff is gone? I've checked every wire. But like I said. I had this issue before changing speakers and the add ons.
So to start out I had a double din touch screen connected to the Bose stuff via a pac adapter. I thought maybe I was losing bass when over taxing the system. But im thinking now, I was actually losing speakers.
So I upgraded and replaced all the Bose speakers and ran them to an amp. Same issue. But this time, everything on the amp (rcas) was cutting out. I've changed head units, ive changed amps, checked wires, replaced the amp power wire and ground, added a capacitor. Same f**king issue. It's driving me nuts. Can the pac adapter or maybe the Bose processor be screwing with something and is there another harness adapter I can use since the Bose stuff is gone? I've checked every wire. But like I said. I had this issue before changing speakers and the add ons.
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Moved to C5 Tech. You might also want to post a link to this in the Audio/Electronics section.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 154
Likes: 31
From: Temecula, CA
Also if you have an aftermarket head unit, amp and speakers... ditch the PAC as you no longer need it. Use a Scosche GM02B harness.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,290
Likes: 477
From: Brea CA
You don't need the PAC adapter if you are going fully aftermarket. Also don't use the seat bracket to ground the amp. At the bottom of both B pillars is a chassis ground, use that instead.
Also use the accessory power tap in the passenger foot well to power the head unit. there is switched and constant power wires as well as a ground in it. The tap is next to the BCM it is a 3 pin plug with yellow, orange and black wires coming off of it.
Gary
Also use the accessory power tap in the passenger foot well to power the head unit. there is switched and constant power wires as well as a ground in it. The tap is next to the BCM it is a 3 pin plug with yellow, orange and black wires coming off of it.
Gary
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Lewes Delaware
Ok. Some updates. I took out the pac adapter box and left the harness adapter, tidied up some wires. Everything seemed to work fine for a week. Hell, the stereo even sounded better without the box for whatever reason. Also went in and took out the "buttstop" on the orange wires in the doors and checked all connections.
The previous owner already did the power tap. I'll try moving the ground in the next few days and order another harness adapter.
The previous owner already did the power tap. I'll try moving the ground in the next few days and order another harness adapter.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 108
Likes: 30
From: Rancho Cucamonga, Ca
Where are you getting the power for the amp? Where is the amp located? I had an issue
and I traced it it to a combination of too long a run for the amp power wire(it was 8 ga too) and the ground wire.
Moved the amp to behind pass seat (it was in the rear hatch area between the tail lights, and washer with ground
on seat. No issues and sounds great. I kept the PAC in so I could retain the music on function. But that's the only
thing I used it for.
and I traced it it to a combination of too long a run for the amp power wire(it was 8 ga too) and the ground wire.
Moved the amp to behind pass seat (it was in the rear hatch area between the tail lights, and washer with ground
on seat. No issues and sounds great. I kept the PAC in so I could retain the music on function. But that's the only
thing I used it for.
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Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
MAKE SURE THAT, you are getting full voltage and current from the source that you have selected for you switched power. Our ignition switches are well known for going to hell and outputting partial voltage to the loads.
Put a volt meter on the fuse test points to chassis ground and crank the unit to failure. If the voltage drops below battery voltage under load, there's your issue. Seen this 50 times for several failures.
You may need to add a relay between switched power source and a dedicated battery power lead.
Bill
Put a volt meter on the fuse test points to chassis ground and crank the unit to failure. If the voltage drops below battery voltage under load, there's your issue. Seen this 50 times for several failures.
You may need to add a relay between switched power source and a dedicated battery power lead.
Bill