Jaaaaag Audio Woes, cont

"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
03/12/2020 at 15:33 • Filed to: The Hot Mess

The Jag’s audio problems continue and I made them worse. Not surprising, just annoying.

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When we last left off I’d rebuilt my junkyard amp and had high hopes it had solved the issue.

It didn’t.

About an hour or so after “fixing” it, all the problems came back with a vengeance, to the point where the radio was essentially inoperable.

However, when re-installing the optical harness (All of the Jag’s audio and infotainment is on an optical loop for data. No I don’t know why either.) it sounded a bit... crunchy? Figuring spending $80 on a new harness was easier than pulling the head unit, which involves removing a lot of crap, I took a chance on buying a new optical harness.

Well, first I had to find the part number as googling “optical harness” and “radio optical” didn’t get me anywhere. I pulled the unit and found out it is called a “radio link.”

How descriptive.

Anyway, pulling the part number off the tag attached to the harness I determined the part I needed was a 2R8T-18K925. I called the local dealer and they wanted an eye-watering $220 for one. I eventually found a UK supplier who wanted 50 GBP for it, so I ordered that a a couple other pieces I needed.

A week later, I had a harness.

The wrong harness, but I had one.

I emailed them to find out whats up. Apparently although both harnesses are marked 2R8T-18K925, they have different SKUs, one being 2R8T-18K925CD and the other 2R8T-18K925BD. They informed me the part I actually needed was XR822801, which was out of stock. The BD would have worked, except it lacked the optical link for the amp.

Ok cool. I requested an RMA and went in search of a XR822801, which I found stateside for $80.

I get that in, pop in on, and...

Well before I reinstall maybe I should open up the CD Changer again and get that un-jammed.

I do that, and immediately spot a problem.

Crap.

Looks like when I last disassembled/ reassembled it I pinched the ribbon cable to the optical unit.

After checking to see if there were any Jags at the local pick-a-part (there weren’t) I went ahead and repaired the cable.

Then I went to Oppo to write this up and realized: The pinched ribbon cable was to the optical unit. So, lets say the problem was indeed in the optical link and the changer was, lets say, not correctly repeating the optical signals, that would act a lot like a bad optical cable.

Well that is the working theory anyway. I’m hoping to get down to my storage unit and put that theory into practice tonight and then bring the Jag home for some much needed maintenance.

But at least I’m having fun.... right?

DISCUSSION (7)

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
03/12/2020 at 15:51

So what could have caused the issue that caused you to pull apart the cable before pinching the ribbon on reinstall?

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
03/12/2020 at 16:21

The CD changer didn’t work when I bought the car. I pulled the changer apart to unjam it and grease the sliding bits. I assume the damage took place upon reassembly as that was the first time I encountered the problem.

AkursedX > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
03/12/2020 at 16:29

Im wondering if it would just be easier to buy an aftermarket headunit and amp and run regular speaker wiring.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > AkursedX
03/12/2020 at 16:46

I haven’t look into it a ton, but I think that is easier said than done. The problem is the climate and nav are both built into the head unit. I’ve seen someone using an embedded PC to put Android on it, but I think that involves hijacking a lot of the OE hardware rather than replacing it.

There _is_ a factory BT module available in theory, but I haven’t been able to source one yet.

AkursedX > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
03/12/2020 at 17:33

Yeah, I looked into it after I posted and it looks like it would be a challenge.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > AkursedX
03/12/2020 at 17:53

I’m reasonably confidant this will solve it. Then again I always am and I’m frequently wrong...

MM54 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
03/12/2020 at 20:31

Two steps forward and one step back is still forward progress!