Technical Stock CD Player Issue

[vladof]

Hi there,

I'm kind of new to this forum but I've been having a problem that keeps on bugging me almost every day.

I own a Stilo 1.8 16V with a really nice cream interior. No problem with the sensors, northing's wrong with it. Only thing is that while I was on a mountain trip and it was really cold my CD player stopped responding, but was playing music. The writing was no longer readable. Turned it off, back on, didn't start. Stopped at the supermarket, made my shopping, got back in the car, the CD went out and it started working again.

After a while things got even worse. I couldn't listen to CD's because it would just jam and become unresponsive, the only cure being leaving the car standing for 20 minutes (I could hear a small click before letting go).

Nowadays when it's could outside it almost never starts immediately, but it responds quite well to holes in the road or knocks. Sometimes it works perfectly, sometimes I can hear it working see things on the display that remind me of Egyptian hieroglyphs. The interesting thing is that on the board computer I can see everything that's happening accurately.

Anyone know a solution to my problem?

 

[The Free(welsh)man]

Does the radio work?
It may be worth taking out the unit, unplugging everything, plugging it all back in and then refitting it. It might just be a dodgy connection somewhere if the radio is the same.

You mentioned that it first happened when it was extremely cold. What's the average temperature the car is in? It may be that the cold has trashed the unit :/

 

[Morty Mort]

You mentioned that it first happened when it was extremely cold. What's the average temperature the car is in? It may be that the cold has trashed the unit :/

Mine withstands -20C perfectly. The LCD doesn't really flow fast, and the letters hang a bit, but no problems with cold.

As suggested, it might be the connectors behind the unit. If you use enough force, the unit pulls out without any special tools. Open the upper glove box and start prying from there.

 

[The Free(welsh)man]

As suggested, it might be the connectors behind the unit. If you use enough force, the unit pulls out without any special tools.

:tempt:
I always wanted to use that one!!

 

[vladof]

Yes it do get the same response even if I play CD's or listen to the radio. I found some info on removing it so I'll try that tomorrow and get right back at you guys. Thank you for your quick responses.

The day it broke down it was -25 C outside but nowadays it also hangs at 10 or 15.

 

[The Free(welsh)man]

Yes it do get the same response even if I play CD's or listen to the radio. I found some info on removing it so I'll try that tomorrow and get right back at you guys. Thank you for your quick responses.

The day it broke down it was -25 C outside but nowadays it also hangs at 10 or 15.

If the remove/refit remedy doesn't work then I would think that the unit is dead.

 

[Davren]

If it happens or starts working again when you go down holes in the road, it suggests there is a loose connection in the radio or wiring.

There are so many holes in the roads in Romania, it not surprising that thing get loose. My Stilo died when I went down a hole in the road in Brassov last year on the way to Constanta.

 

[vladof]

Just one more question: should I disconnect the battery before removing the wiring on the radio?

 

[Davren]

It's always advisable to disconnect the battery when doing any work on the electrical system, but if you are careful not to try pluging the connectors in the wrong sockets or the wrong way round, it should be OK to leave the battery connected.

I never disconnect the battery unless working on airbag circuits.

 

[vladof]

I've cut some 8 cm pieces of wire and fitted them in the 4 holes in the stereo. I started banging them in with a hammer but they went in just too hard and I was really afraid of braking it. Luckily, when I tried to turn it back on, it started working perfectly. I've done about 300 kilometers with it since and it started immediately every time. Now at least I know there's a loose connection somewhere inside and it may reappear.

Do you guys think I can just bang the rods in with a hammer without causing any damage to the device?

I've also tried to start removing it from the upper glove box, but it didn't seem to want to get out pretty soon.

Thank you all for your kind support.

 

[Davren]

You don't need to bang them in with a hammer.

You should be able to push them in easily with your fingers. They only need to go in about 45mm, then push the left ones towards the left and the right ones towards the right. Then you should be able to pull the radio out easily.

Do not push or hammer the rods all the way in.

The correct tool has a small recess on the ends so you can feel when it's located correctly.

 

[vladof]

Ok, thanks for the advice

Took the guide from here.

Will try ASAP and get back.

Thank you very much mate.