JBL Navigation Head Unit Broke

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m85476585

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My navigation head unit stopped working. First it gave an error about inserting the navigation disc, and then later the screen went completely black and all functions stopped working. If continuously makes a faint clicking noise about 1x a second. If I pull the fuse and reinstall it makes sad DVD drive noises for about a minute, then goes back to clicking. Has anybody been successful at troubleshooting one of these? It seems like an insane amount of complexity in a tiny package (two CD drives, tilty screen mechanism, etc). I got it pulled out of the dash easily enough. Should I even try to open it?
 
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m85476585 said:
My navigation head unit stopped working. First it gave an error about inserting the navigation disc, and then later the screen went completely black and all functions stopped working. If continuously makes a faint clicking noise about 1x a second. If I pull the fuse and reinstall it makes sad DVD drive noises for about a minute, then goes back to clicking. Has anybody been successful at troubleshooting one of these? It seems like an insane amount of complexity in a tiny package (two CD drives, tilty screen mechanism, etc). I got it pulled out of the dash easily enough. Should I even try to open it?
Click to expand...

It's 17 years old, pretty sure there's no fixing it, replace it!
 
All the replacements are 17+ years old too! I could replace it with something modern, but it's the JBL system, so would that require a new amp or a bunch of wiring?

I did find a video about fixing it, but it requires replacing a board (which is $200 presumably for a used one), and it's not even guaranteed that would fix it. https://youtu.be/hjFQ2h8vy1g

I found a used one for $200, so I'll try that and hope it works.
 
m85476585 said:
All the replacements are 17+ years old too! I could replace it with something modern, but it's the JBL system, so would that require a new amp or a bunch of wiring?

I did find a video about fixing it, but it requires replacing a board (which is $200 presumably for a used one), and it's not even guaranteed that would fix it. https://youtu.be/hjFQ2h8vy1g

I found a used one for $200, so I'll try that and hope it works.
Click to expand...

If you've already bought the oem replacement - good luck. Some people have had good luck replacing their JBL unit with a double din unit from a more modern toyota/scion - retain OEM looks but with updated function.

At $200 you aren't too far off from a new unit altogether with Carplay/AA etc that would really modernize your car (probably all in, $500 or so for the head unit and required harnesses). My OEM Nav unit works great, but going to carplay and having the ability to get OBD based gauges makes me want to upgrade
 
Well, the used OEM one I ordered didn't work. It asks for a nav DVD. So I disassembled my old one to extract the stuck disc (which appears to be in good condition). When I insert the disc in the "new" one, it makes a terrible clicking noise and spits it back out. Now I'm debating swapping the power board and/or DVD drive to get one good working unit. But I'm worried I might have damaged or confused the DVD drive in the old one by pulling the disc out, or that there might be some incompatibility between the two (which were made a year apart).

This has to be the single most complicated and densely packed piece of electronics I've ever seen. Someone must have worked hard to design it, but it's not designed to be repairable.

If I go with aftermarket, is there some sort of digital JBL amp that lives somewhere else in the car that needs special signals? Does it get replaced, or can a new aftermarket head unit talk to it? Can I retain the factory backup camera?
 
m85476585 said:
Well, the used OEM one I ordered didn't work. It asks for a nav DVD. So I disassembled my old one to extract the stuck disc (which appears to be in good condition). When I insert the disc in the "new" one, it makes a terrible clicking noise and spits it back out. Now I'm debating swapping the power board and/or DVD drive to get one good working unit. But I'm worried I might have damaged or confused the DVD drive in the old one by pulling the disc out, or that there might be some incompatibility between the two (which were made a year apart).

This has to be the single most complicated and densely packed piece of electronics I've ever seen. Someone must have worked hard to design it, but it's not designed to be repairable.

If I go with aftermarket, is there some sort of digital JBL amp that lives somewhere else in the car that needs special signals? Does it get replaced, or can a new aftermarket head unit talk to it? Can I retain the factory backup camera?
Click to expand...

Your best bet is to contact customer support at Crutchfield.com and ask your questions there, they can help you with anything you need for car radio systems, and they will sell you everything needed with instructions on how to install, unfortunately they can't help you revive that old head unit.

Crutchfield: Car Stereo and Audio, Speakers, Home Theater, Pro Audio, TVs
 
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