1995 Camry Audio Install - Head Unit Won't Turn On

[toomanycamrys]

Hey guys, first time poster here. I just messed around with audio for the first time and have a bit of a problem.

My uncle figured it was high time to upgrade the stock sound system in his '95 Toyota Camry DX (three of the paper cone speakers were blown). We settled on basic stuff from Boss Audio: rear 6x9s, front 6.5"s, and a head unit with a rear view camera.

I installed everything, wired up a Metra harness and found a generic dash kit to fit the head unit. Everything works great for a few drive cycles, then start the car and bam, the head unit doesn't turn on. Resetting power to it (pull battery, unplug and replug the harness, or use the reset button behind its faceplate) results in normal operation for another few drive cycles.

I'd appreciate you guys' insight. Thanks a bunch.

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[jordon]

Its boss thats why.

 

[toomanycamrys]

Hahaha //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

Had a pretty tight budget. Will upgrade it when money frees up.

Cheers!

 

[toomanycamrys]

Bump. Any things I could try guys?

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

you go cheap with boss, pyramid, pyle, power acoustik etc... you are basically paying for a door stop. Yes they have extremely high probability of evolving into a doorstop. Check your wiring one last time for any shorts or errors.

If all that fails, see if you can get an RMA.

Next time use parts express speakers. much better than boss junk for the same cost.

 

[Kai Winters 10+ year member]

Start from the basics...as Jeffdachef says check all wiring...check every wire for correctly connected at correct location and all connections are clean, no single strand of wire just happening to be touching something it shouldn't, and properly insulated/covered. Check ground, power, speakers cables, etc.

Are the drive cycles similar in time? Perhaps the head unit is going into protect mode for some reason?

As said Boss is not a well respected brand and even if going on the cheap when you buy "cheap" you usually wind up spending even more in the end...better off returning everything and starting with the head unit get a decent head unit and connect it to the factory speakers. Then when there is more money get a "good" pair of front speakers...forget the rears they are really more for fill than anything else and many don't bother with them at all. I've not used rears in decades. I'd rather spend the money on a better pair of fronts or the sub, if using one.

But if you choose to go "cheap" the stuff you buy won't last and certainly won't sound good...better off with the factory stuff but that is just my opinion.

 

[toomanycamrys]

Start from the basics...as Jeffdachef says check all wiring...check every wire for correctly connected at correct location and all connections are clean, no single strand of wire just happening to be touching something it shouldn't, and properly insulated/covered. Check ground, power, speakers cables, etc.
Are the drive cycles similar in time? Perhaps the head unit is going into protect mode for some reason?

As said Boss is not a well respected brand and even if going on the cheap when you buy "cheap" you usually wind up spending even more in the end...better off returning everything and starting with the head unit get a decent head unit and connect it to the factory speakers. Then when there is more money get a "good" pair of front speakers...forget the rears they are really more for fill than anything else and many don't bother with them at all. I've not used rears in decades. I'd rather spend the money on a better pair of fronts or the sub, if using one.

But if you choose to go "cheap" the stuff you buy won't last and certainly won't sound good...better off with the factory stuff but that is just my opinion.

Cool, thanks for all the advice, guys. I checked and triple-checked my wiring; everything was good.

I think it's solved; I cleaned the Neutral Safety Switch because putting the car in reverse wasn't activating the rear view camera, and now the head unit is working reliably! I take it the NSS was holding everything up. It's been about 25 starts and it's still working - before it would shut off after a max of 4 starts. Will watch it for a few weeks to make sure.

I will let my uncle know that he should look into getting higher quality parts when he can. I appreciate the input. The Boss speakers sound pretty horrible...only thing they have going for them is that they are louder than the stock units.

Thanks again.

 

[The Camry]

Cool, thanks for all the advice, guys. I checked and triple-checked my wiring; everything was good.
I think it's solved; I cleaned the Neutral Safety Switch because putting the car in reverse wasn't activating the rear view camera, and now the head unit is working reliably! I take it the NSS was holding everything up. It's been about 25 starts and it's still working - before it would shut off after a max of 4 starts. Will watch it for a few weeks to make sure.

I will let my uncle know that he should look into getting higher quality parts when he can. I appreciate the input. The Boss speakers sound pretty horrible...only thing they have going for them is that they are louder than the stock units.

Thanks again.

i am your camry man! i have a 94 and have torn it apart and put it together again. let me know if you have ANY questions