Help Audio issue - how best to diagnose?
#1
Bose Audio issue - how best to diagnose?
I have a 2012 G37S Convertible. A few weeks ago, the sound went "flat", almost like the higher frequencies are not playing out of the speakers. I found that if I modify the fade to "all the way backwards", I can hear things better, as I am getting the higher frequencies from the speakers in the headrest. If I modify the fade all the way foward, I hear only the very lowest frequencies.
Do you think this is a failure in the amplifier, or the speakers? Does the 37S have a single amp, or is there an amp for mid and high range, and a separate subwoofer amp?
Thanks!
Do you think this is a failure in the amplifier, or the speakers? Does the 37S have a single amp, or is there an amp for mid and high range, and a separate subwoofer amp?
Thanks!
Last edited by Joel Kozikowski; 01-22-2019 at 03:22 PM. Reason: clarified issue in title
#2
I fixed it!
Leaving some breadcrumbs in case someone else has a similar issue:
A. I found that the field service manuals are available online thanks to one of our forum users. Link here.
B. In the manual for the Bose Audio system with Navigation (manual AV.pdf from above), I discovered there is a hidden "Confirmation/Adjustment" menu option for dealers. You get to it by doing this:
D. The above "Speaker test" revealed no sound for the front tweeters, front center, nor left and right mains. All subwoofers and the headrest speakers played the expected tone.
E. I pulled the front center speaker (as it was easy to get to), and inspected it. It looked fine. I connected an external audio source to it and it played as expected, so speaker was OK.
F. That left the wiring harness OR the amplifier(s): The 2012 G37S Convertible with Bose Audio and Nav has a single amplifier in the trunk (no separate sub-woofer amp nor pre-amp). Guessing that the wiring harness would not go out "all at once" with just a subset of the speakers like it did, I guessed it was the amplifier. New Bose amps from the dealer are $1,000 (yikes!), but I managed to find the same model amp on eBay for $250. At that price, it seemed worth a try, so I bought it.
G. Installed the replacement amp, re-ran the "Speaker Test", and got a tone on all speakers!
Sound system restored!
Leaving some breadcrumbs in case someone else has a similar issue:
A. I found that the field service manuals are available online thanks to one of our forum users. Link here.
B. In the manual for the Bose Audio system with Navigation (manual AV.pdf from above), I discovered there is a hidden "Confirmation/Adjustment" menu option for dealers. You get to it by doing this:
- Start the engine
- Turn the audio system OFF
- Press and hold the "SETTING" button. While doing this, turn the volume control for 40 clicks (it does not matter which direction)
D. The above "Speaker test" revealed no sound for the front tweeters, front center, nor left and right mains. All subwoofers and the headrest speakers played the expected tone.
E. I pulled the front center speaker (as it was easy to get to), and inspected it. It looked fine. I connected an external audio source to it and it played as expected, so speaker was OK.
F. That left the wiring harness OR the amplifier(s): The 2012 G37S Convertible with Bose Audio and Nav has a single amplifier in the trunk (no separate sub-woofer amp nor pre-amp). Guessing that the wiring harness would not go out "all at once" with just a subset of the speakers like it did, I guessed it was the amplifier. New Bose amps from the dealer are $1,000 (yikes!), but I managed to find the same model amp on eBay for $250. At that price, it seemed worth a try, so I bought it.
G. Installed the replacement amp, re-ran the "Speaker Test", and got a tone on all speakers!
Sound system restored!
The following 3 users liked this post by Joel Kozikowski:
#3
Oh - I forgot to mention - the other option on the dealer menu is a "Self Diagnosis." Re: F above, I actually had more information that pointed at the amplifier rather than the wiring harness. According to the manual, there are error codes for things like "Center speaker Out" with sub-codes for speaker circuit is open, circuit is closed, circuit is shorted out, etc. I did run this "Self Diagnosis" and got no error codes at all. While it's true that there are ALSO error codes for problems with the amplifier, I guess that an INCORRECT report of "everything is OK" would come from the amp. If it really was the wiring harness and the amplifier was OK, I would have expected the Self Diagnosis to find speaker problems.
The following users liked this post:
Baadnewsburr (03-25-2019)
#4
Registered Member
Joel-I have a similar problem in my 2014 Q60s Convertible. All my speakers work and sound great, except for my headrest speakers. Yes Audio Pilot is on, and Yes Surround sound is turned up. Was working fine till I brought it in for service the other day now it's not. It's my third G37/Q60 vert and recently had it in the shop to replace the heated/cooled seat switch on p/s and door trim on the d/s that was all banged up as well as some fluid flush/fills.
When I ran the speaker test, headrest speakers did not come on. NO error codes for me either when I ran the self Diagnosis.
My question for you and the group is: Does the vert have a separate fuse or wiring harness for the headrest speakers that perhaps got inadvertently unplugged while they were working on it? If so-would it be connected to the d/s door panel speaker? He only worked in two areas: Middle console by the heated/cooled seats switches and d/s door panel to replace trim piece. He claims he plugged everything back in as it was and tested. Trusted japanese independent I've known for years with experience in Infiniti-so I have to take his word for it right now.
I can't even find which fuse it "might be" because there is nothing for just the headrest speakers. Everything else is BOSE AMP and all speakers work and sound great, so it can't be that. If an amp fuse was out, I would have diminished sound from the other speakers, wouldn't I?
When I ran the speaker test, headrest speakers did not come on. NO error codes for me either when I ran the self Diagnosis.
My question for you and the group is: Does the vert have a separate fuse or wiring harness for the headrest speakers that perhaps got inadvertently unplugged while they were working on it? If so-would it be connected to the d/s door panel speaker? He only worked in two areas: Middle console by the heated/cooled seats switches and d/s door panel to replace trim piece. He claims he plugged everything back in as it was and tested. Trusted japanese independent I've known for years with experience in Infiniti-so I have to take his word for it right now.
I can't even find which fuse it "might be" because there is nothing for just the headrest speakers. Everything else is BOSE AMP and all speakers work and sound great, so it can't be that. If an amp fuse was out, I would have diminished sound from the other speakers, wouldn't I?
#5
Registered Member
iTrader: (3)
Also, there is no separate fuse for the headrest speakers.
The issue has to be with your settings, or a issue with the amp. Your independent shop should be able to check for codes: U190A, U190B, U1908, and/or U1909- these are specific to the amp and headrest speakers ONLY.
For the record, I do not have a 'vert. I just recently installed a set of headrest speakers in my Coupe so I am very familiar with the wiring setup.
Hope some of this helps!
The following users liked this post:
kjoiner59 (08-23-2022)
#6
Headrest speakers
Unlikely. The harness for each headrest runs from the seat directly to the amp. There are 2 connector/junctions in play: headrest to seat, and seat to floor. From the floor the harness runs directly to the amp. These connectors are deep within the seat and not easily accessible.
Also, there is no separate fuse for the headrest speakers.
The issue has to be with your settings, or a issue with the amp. Your independent shop should be able to check for codes: U190A, U190B, U1908, and/or U1909- these are specific to the amp and headrest speakers ONLY.
For the record, I do not have a 'vert. I just recently installed a set of headrest speakers in my Coupe so I am very familiar with the wiring setup.
Hope some of this helps!
Also, there is no separate fuse for the headrest speakers.
The issue has to be with your settings, or a issue with the amp. Your independent shop should be able to check for codes: U190A, U190B, U1908, and/or U1909- these are specific to the amp and headrest speakers ONLY.
For the record, I do not have a 'vert. I just recently installed a set of headrest speakers in my Coupe so I am very familiar with the wiring setup.
Hope some of this helps!
I was seeing is the head re st seat connector with the other connector or is it diffrent. Both of the head rest speakers on both seats are not working on the diagnostic test. Wanted to double check before tearing into the back of the car for the amp. And which wires are they on the amp connection to temp put a speaker there to see if amp is blown for speakers.
#7
Registered Member
iTrader: (3)
Each headrest has its own series of connectors. The only connector both sides share is at the Bose Amp.
There are two main connectors for each headrest. One is in the seatback- you will have to remove the rear panel from the seat and reach up to access the connector. The SECOND connector is under the seat where the seat wiring connects to the main floor harness.
As for which wires at the amp for you to test, I don't know what year your car is so I do not want to give you incorrect information. You will have to download section AV (Audio Visual) from here to determine which pins to probe. Depending on your year, you may also need to download section PG (Power/Ground) for the connector info.
I will say that unless you, or the previous owner, did some work with the wiring, more than likely your issue is with the amp. It seems amp failures are becoming quite common for these 'verts.
There are two main connectors for each headrest. One is in the seatback- you will have to remove the rear panel from the seat and reach up to access the connector. The SECOND connector is under the seat where the seat wiring connects to the main floor harness.
As for which wires at the amp for you to test, I don't know what year your car is so I do not want to give you incorrect information. You will have to download section AV (Audio Visual) from here to determine which pins to probe. Depending on your year, you may also need to download section PG (Power/Ground) for the connector info.
I will say that unless you, or the previous owner, did some work with the wiring, more than likely your issue is with the amp. It seems amp failures are becoming quite common for these 'verts.
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#8
Headrest speakers
Each headrest has its own series of connectors. The only connector both sides share is at the Bose Amp.
There are two main connectors for each headrest. One is in the seatback- you will have to remove the rear panel from the seat and reach up to access the connector. The SECOND connector is under the seat where the seat wiring connects to the main floor harness.
As for which wires at the amp for you to test, I don't know what year your car is so I do not want to give you incorrect information. You will have to download section AV (Audio Visual) from here to determine which pins to probe. Depending on your year, you may also need to download section PG (Power/Ground) for the connector info.
I will say that unless you, or the previous owner, did some work with the wiring, more than likely your issue is with the amp. It seems amp failures are becoming quite common for these 'verts.
There are two main connectors for each headrest. One is in the seatback- you will have to remove the rear panel from the seat and reach up to access the connector. The SECOND connector is under the seat where the seat wiring connects to the main floor harness.
As for which wires at the amp for you to test, I don't know what year your car is so I do not want to give you incorrect information. You will have to download section AV (Audio Visual) from here to determine which pins to probe. Depending on your year, you may also need to download section PG (Power/Ground) for the connector info.
I will say that unless you, or the previous owner, did some work with the wiring, more than likely your issue is with the amp. It seems amp failures are becoming quite common for these 'verts.
it's a 2013
Last edited by Firebird968; 09-07-2021 at 10:53 PM.
#9
Registered Member
iTrader: (3)
Again, you don't state what year your 'vert is, so the following is from the 2010 factory manual:
I strongly suggest you pull the factory manual for your year just in case minor changes were made. That said:
I would pull the above connector from the amp and test each headrest speaker. I use a old headphone (3.5mm) plug and a iPod to test speakers but everyone has their own way. If you get sound at each speaker, then the harnesses are good from the amp connector back. If not, then you'll have to dig into the floor and seat harnesses.
My bet is still on the amp going bad.
I strongly suggest you pull the factory manual for your year just in case minor changes were made. That said:
I would pull the above connector from the amp and test each headrest speaker. I use a old headphone (3.5mm) plug and a iPod to test speakers but everyone has their own way. If you get sound at each speaker, then the harnesses are good from the amp connector back. If not, then you'll have to dig into the floor and seat harnesses.
My bet is still on the amp going bad.
Last edited by ILM-NC G37S; 09-07-2021 at 10:34 PM.
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