Familiar with the Pioneer AVIC-N1? Come on in!

[bergs]

Got a few questions regarding Pioneer's AVIC-N1 head unit.

--EDIT: XM Radio is fine. No issues with the speaker output. Statement removed--


I have not looked at the backside of the unit but does anyone know if there is an AUX input for, say, an MP3 player? Both of the boxes under the passenger seat do not appear to have such an input so before I start pulling the dash apart I was hoping someone could offer a direction to go.

Finally, the GPS function...is there a source for current maps that won't cost me $240?


Unless I can be convinced otherwise, I'm really thinking about junking this unit for something a little more straightforward and just buying a Garmin for navagation.



Thank you for any help anyone can provide.

 

[riceandpho]

maybe the ip bus cable got pintch, for aux, i think u might have one of those a/v in the brain unit, all u need to do is get the 3.5mm jack to rca, connect to av1 jack and just use the av1 in the source as aux.

 

[riceandpho]

u can always go to ebay and get new nav disc, might want to try avic411 forum and if u need to upgrade, u might as well get the z130bt

 

[bergs]

I saw the a/v input on the box you mention. It's under the passenger seat but I wasn't sure if the cable you suggest is available. I've been out of the car audio loop for years.

I'll check on those discs too.

Thank you for the help!

(OP edited. The XM radio plays just fine through the speakers. Not sure what happened there but it does work.)

 

[jirehn]

Did you already visit Ebay?So that you can look some parts that fits in you.

 

[riceandpho]

All u need is those headphone plug cable with rca connectors in the other end

 

[bergs]

Yeah, I gotcha. Probably hit up a Best Buy tomorrow.

As far as the navigation, I'm waiting on the seller to get back to me on the status of the discs. I have a Pioneer disc that was in the vehicle when it was dropped off so I tried to use it but the unit is saying it is an incorrect format. I think there's way too much damage on the disc.

I don't use Ebay so I may have to get creative in finding some replacement discs.

 

[bergs]

So the unit has been removed completely.

I went for a state inspection and had to replace the left side corner marker. Ended up having to take the battery out because there was no other way to pull the socket. That, in turn, dumped the memory from the unit. Not a problem.

Decided that, since I saw a lot of dust that had built up over time and had a "mechanism failure", I'll remove the unit and give it a clean and blow out a few things

Long story short, there were certain functions on the face plate that I have never gotten to work....I'd always have to open up the screen to operate certain features. When I separated the Pioneer case halves I noticed a small break in the screen's flex circuit that affects at least 3 of the traces. Looks like normal wear and tear that caused it because there isn't any other damage to the flex circuit itself. I decided to reinstall the OEM head unit.

It's a really good thing I work in electronics manufacturing because this can be fixed however the repairs to this unit look to pose a bit of a challenge and flex circuit repair is new to me so I may call Pioneer and see if they might have a replacement.

Kinda bummed out about this but pleased at the same time.

Oh well. Hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving!!

:hungry:

 

[riceandpho]

ebay should have those flex ribbons, way cheaper than pioneer would charge.

 

[bergs]

About the flex cable; seems Pioneer knows there's an issue. Maybe I can get a replacement on the free!

 

[bergs]

What a let down!

Not sure who the dummy was answering the phone today but you woulda thought the world was going to end after I told him I opened the unit up to inspect the issue. Told him 3 of the traces were broken and couldn't even complete my sentence before he started in on me. "Now we can't guarantee the repairs....the technicians know when a unit has been opened...etc" He sounded like he was going to punch a kitten.

This guy basically said I can send the unit in and it's either a free fix or $230....oh, but wait, since I opened it, it's $230. At the point where I was told that the technicians "know when a unit has been opened" I just let out a sigh of disappointment. I didn't feel like arguing but what a load of crap. There aren't any markings or any other feature to identify what or when this particular deck has been opened.

To add to the fun, the representative says they can't just send me the part that they know full well is an issue.

Think I'll just spend the $50-ish and replace it myself without hassle.

 

[riceandpho]

yea, either pay the money for repair, and then sell the unit to make a lil profit and upgrade to the newer lines, i wish i had a nav, but i like to keep the eq on my premier deh -p860mp, i just use the phone as nav now.

 

[bergs]

Not going to sell it just yet. I am committed to getting it sorted out and running correctly. I also promised myself that I'd learn to love....or at least try to like...this thing once it's repaired and updated.

Found some great info on the avic411 forum which has made things easier

 

[honda_nos]

I've had 3 avic n1s over the years. I think the technology has moved forward a lot but it is not a bad unit. I had a buddy who got Pioneer to fix similar issues for free. You might want to call them up.

Good luck!

 

[bergs]

After the phone call I made to Pioneer, I said "forget it".

Just so happens a friend of mine had two of these sitting in his basement! One has a broken screen and the other has issues with moving discs in and out. The one with the busted screen is going to be the donor. Something about the motors and the alignment though he's not clear and I'd need to test in order to see what's going on.

Not sure how much interest there is here, but I was going to catalogue the repairs and put them up on avic411.

 

[TOY2G]

on the AVIC-N1 you have to go into setting and turn on the BUS. I used this unit for a few years and finally gave it away because of the problems i had with the iphone interface. you can order the ipod cable of ebay for under 20 bucks. plugs into the blue square bus on the back.

 

[bergs]

The repairs have commenced (!!!) and man, what a pain in the nuts it is making sure everything is taken apart cleanly and correctly. I discovered that the ribbon cable is pretty well buried inside the unit but it's really not all that bad figuring out the method of removal. The first time is always a learning experience, right?



For those of you that are interested in knowing more:

I started with my unit first. Once the case came apart and the flex cable was removed I figured I'd go a bit further and almost completely disassembled the gear drives for the screen movement. I say "almost" because of the design of how the screen flips up. It's subjected to a fair amount of spring tension and (for me) is just not worth taking all that apart in order to service two gears. My motivation for this was a result of the factory grease that got dried up and sticky and was causing the movements to get choppy.

I cleaned everything up and relubed using a product called Magnalube. I have had excellent results with this grease in many applications so I went with it again. A very light application (to prevent fling off) on all the same areas the factory used and it is ready to go back together.

The remaining items on the "to do" list are to continue cleaning all grease points and introduce new grease, reinforce and install the replacement ribbon cable and perform the parking brake jumper mod.

Since my laptop is down at the moment, I cannot post pics. Once that is back up and running I will get some pics going.