Ben hooked me up today with the lux amp and nav install. I'm in debt to him for the time he spent on soldering all the wires together for the lux amp. Everything was going fine with all wiring done professionally.

We plugged in the amp and I had door chimes. Great, I'm thinking we're 1 step closer. Plug in the head unit and screen fires up with the Delphi logo.

We're getting ready to button everything back up and put the dash back together when we plugged it in the 2nd time to program it with his tech 2. After 5 seconds of the screen, we heard a "pop" and smoke started billowing out the side of it where the fan is. It also blew the truck radio 15 amp fuse. After a few choice words, I made a few phone calls to those who would know.

We fried the head unit. I'm not sure exactly how as this is way above my skill level. We then plugged in my stock head unit and it powers up fine but there's no sound now since I have the lux amp.

Now, my dilemma is that my stock head unit is installed but I have no sound but the lux amp upgrade seemed to have gone well.

The nav unit I bought off a member here. Its not his fault. It was used before and sent off to Dan in Michigan to program it. I'm down a thousand bucks. Buying another nav unit is not what I want to do....Not new anyways. I know there's a way for the dealership to program my stock single disk head unit so it'll work with the lux amp upgrade. Driving without music sucks.

Now I'm stuck without sound and I'm worried that if I get another one, it'll fry that too. If the wiring was bad, it woulds fried it immediately after plugging it in and powering it up. The thing is that it worked for a few seconds, twice, then fried something inside.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Sorry to hear that Nick.

Bummer! I feel so bad. Just goes to show you even with the best of help things sometimes can go wrong.

I would go over each wire with a ohm meter to see what is shorted together or to to ground or power, something in my opinion shorted out. I would not plug in your stock radio until you find something.

You didn't plug that non lux head unit in with the Lux amp after the nav unit blew did you? It will damage the lux amp, the output levels from the stock head unit are too high for that lux amp -I'd start by checking your wiring - you may have something hot going back to the radio where it's not supposed to or something grounded. It's very easy to make mistakes with those wire changes even with an experienced installer.

damn that sucks....sorry to hear about it nick....I'd go with what YAZ said

The stock radio is plugged back in but the amp is not currently. I will not drive around with my dash torn apart until I can figure out WTF I'm gonna do.

He did test the wires before, during and after. We dont think that the wiring is a problem.

Might want to see if you can borrow one from someone local to test the amp - a bit risky considering the outcome of the last run though unless it's someone's back up - you could see if Ben can reprogram your current head unit to lux of course too.

Ben cant do it with his tech 2. Its supposedly a dealership only program.

The amp worked fine. I had door chimes when we first plugged it in.

The Nav radio probably has a fried circuit board inside. One way to fix that is to send the radio to a repair facility. You're looking at $100 min to diagnose, then $$ to fix.

You may also be able to find a damaged NAV on Ebay and just replace the fried parts yourself. Maybe send an email to Dan, or email an Ebay seller named "tauk" and see if they have any torn apart radios at hand?

I think you just need access to TIS or have the SPS discs to reprogram the radio lux, think Tom posted instructions on that once before. I'd try to get that single disc reprogrammed before plugging in another expensive nav unit - it would be less painful / expensive to smoke the single disc if the wiring has a problem than another nav unit.

The Nav radio probably has a fried circuit board inside. One way to fix that is to send the radio to a repair facility. You're looking at $100 min to diagnose, then $$ to fix.

You may also be able to find a damaged NAV on Ebay and just replace the fried parts yourself. Maybe send an email to Dan, or email an Ebay seller named "tauk" and see if they have any torn apart radios at hand?

Dan's gotten an email already Tom. I'm gonna send it back to him monday. I'm praying he can fix it.



I think you just need access to TIS or have the SPS discs to reprogram the radio lux, think Tom posted instructions on that once before. I'd try to get that single disc reprogrammed before plugging in another expensive nav unit - it would be less painful / expensive to smoke the single disc if the wiring has a problem than another nav unit.

My intentions are to get this single disk programmed for the lux amp. I knew someone posted something on it but I didnt know who or if it was in electrical or DIY.

Where would one get the SPS disk?

BTW, thanks for your help fellas.

Nick, here's your LUX programs for the single CD radio:

ID Selected# Description
1 15849620 New software to correct in-plant programming issues.
2 15064112 North America/Domestic
3 15064134 For C/K/H2: UQ7 with Y91/Y92. For S/T: With UQA. IMPORTANT: "AMP" appears in Class 2 Message Monitor, Amp. has 3 connectors.
4 15126142 New calibrations to reduce chime volume.
5 15849621 New software to correct in-plant programming issues.


The Equalization program shows this for an option, too:

15195732 00004AB4 New calibration to turn off DTC B1281.

Tom, this is with a tech 2?

If those are the instructions then Ben should be able to do it with his tech 2 I assume or is this a dealer only thing?

Nick it is programmed with a Tech 2, but you still have to download the software onto the tech 2 first. The only place to download the software is through GM's online database. I do not have access to this, otherwise we could have reprogrammed it last night. :(

I thought you could buy a temp single membership for TIS2WEB, Ben? BTW, nice to see you back.

I thought you could buy a temp single membership for TIS2WEB, Ben? BTW, nice to see you back.


no, you can buy a single temp membership to eSI, not TIS2WEB. :(

one of my buddies works at a dealer so he might be able to help me, but my freaking Tech 2 refuses to talk to my computer, configuration stuff.......thanks for keeping the Tech 2 using serial ports, GM. Does anyone even know what those are anymore?

you can add a serial port with a PCI or PCI Express card - around $100

It was dissasembled today. Here's a few pics. You can clearly see where it is burnt. This is the only place we found to where any burn marks could be found. This would also explain why smoke came out of this side along with that particular wall being hot to the touch.

My questions now for any electrical expert:

What could cause this chip to fail?

Can the chip itself be replaced or does the entire board need to be swapped out?

you can add a serial port with a PCI or PCI Express card - around $100


been there done that, I still cant get the damn thing to talk to my PC. :mad:

It was dissasembled today. Here's a few pics. You can clearly see where it is burnt. This is the only place we found to where any burn marks could be found. This would also explain why smoke came out of this side along with that particular wall being hot to the touch.

My questions now for any electrical expert:

What could cause this chip to fail?

Can the chip itself be replaced or does the entire board need to be swapped out?


Those are the power transistors that drive the nav units internal audio amplifier. The bose and non-bose radios are all the same, just have different programming. The non-bose stereo's utilize the head unit's small internal amplifier whereas the Bose stereos have the separate Bose amp under the center console. So, even the bose head units have the internal amplifier, its just turned off/bypassed.

For whatever reason one of them shorted out, which is odd because they should be deactivated, seeing as the nav is programmed for Bose. :confuzeld:

ben

I guess a full rebuild is around $650. I dont know if I'm willing to drop that much on this thing.

Had I known this was gonna be such a pain in the ass, I woulda just bought a Kenwood 7100 like I wanted to in the first place. :banghead:

I'm curious to know if there's any particular reason why it shorted out. I know it coulda been anything but I obviously want to prevent this in the future if at all possible.

Couple hundred bucks for a repair but I'm not payin 600. Thats flat out ridiculous.

Damn.... real sorry to hear that Nick. Toss it on eBay as a "easy repairable unit" or something to try and recoup some funds?

Id just go aftermarket this time - I know you are an OEM type of guy but some of the new units out, like the 7100 are hard to beat.

Yeah well I would but I already have $1500 invested in this pile of shit now to include the amp thats already installed. Drop another 2 grand for a 7100? I think not.

Thats right, I forgot you also had the LUX amp and all that, along with custom wiring to get it all working. Whats the plan then?

Just get your stock single disc re-programmed for the LUX amp or drop an OEM six disc in and do the same. Covers your losses for the time being and you can still get the TNR repaired in the future or if you happen to come across a good deal on one. All is not lost that way.

I have the LUX and bought an OEM six disc from a member here a while back... works great.

All I need is a disk to reprogram it? I thought it had to be done through a tech 2. I'm at a loss at this point. I have no sound and a nav thats a 10 lb paper weight.

I'm opting to try anything at this point. Would this disk work for my single disk Grady?

Do all 6 discs work with teh LUX or do they still need to be programmed?

If all work, Nick I think I have a 6 disc here that is yours if you want it to help you out of this prob. Ill check around with some buddies too if they arent all 6 discs.

They need to be programmed. I dont know how much good it'll do for me though. Thanks.

Bah... the only one I can find here is a single disc, I must have put the 6 disc back in my last truck when I traded it in. Sorry.... good luck!

My single disk is fine and will work fine provided I can find someone to program it for me.

If I could get that working, then I'd deal with the nav with a couple high powered, hollow point .40 rounds.

Well.... the worst I see now is you having to pay the $89 or $99 fee at the dealer and have them do it. Just take in a VIN of a vehicle it would be from (such as a escalade or other LUX equipped vehicle ) and say you need it reprogrammed. Ive read on here dealerships do it all the time.

Oh ya..... pump it full bud :D http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/SandInspiredKustomz/Smileys/2gun.gif

for gods sake at least take it to united radio and get a repair quote before you pump it full of lead....

All I need is a disk to reprogram it? I thought it had to be done through a tech 2. I'm at a loss at this point. I have no sound and a nav thats a 10 lb paper weight.

I'm opting to try anything at this point. Would this disk work for my single disk Grady?


Sorry,:o: I may have not been clear. You'll have to go see someone with a Tech II and access to TIS2WEB (read: more than likely a dealer). No magic disc for reprogramming. Have your stock single disc headunit reprogrammed with the LUX calibrations that Tom (TheBac) listed back a couple of pages ago. That way, you can at least make use of the amp until you can get the TNR fixed or find another one.

Or I was referring to picking up an OEM 6-disc headunit and replacing the single with it for the time being if you so desire.

edit: see post 12. Print and take to dealer. Tell them yes it will work. Sit in the lounge and pay the hour they're going to charge you to do 10min worth of work. :D

Thanks for the assistance. I sent it out today for hopefully a $200 round trip to Michigan.

I guess thursday,my next day off, I'll be headin to the dealer to get this done with.

so Nick the nav unit is getting repaired?

Dan will be getting it tomorrow and hopefully the return will be fairly quick. Its already on its way. I hope this works.

Me too. Crappy situation.... good luck Nick

I wish you luck, I don't want to be reading how your newly reprogrammed stock head unit back from the dealer gets fried up from that lux amp!:rolleyes:

If it does, I'm running for the hills for mentioning that. :eek:

I guess a full rebuild is around $650. I dont know if I'm willing to drop that much on this thing.

Had I known this was gonna be such a pain in the ass, I woulda just bought a Kenwood 7100 like I wanted to in the first place. :banghead:

I'm curious to know if there's any particular reason why it shorted out. I know it coulda been anything but I obviously want to prevent this in the future if at all possible.

Couple hundred bucks for a repair but I'm not payin 600. Thats flat out ridiculous.


Whos to say it was good from factory. After all this stuff is supposed to be plug and play. And if this is so great of a unit wheres the warranty from the company. Nick they obviusly sent i8n detail intructions so where is the company now, not on your side or did you not call them. Oh and Call Dave back and keep trying if it goes to voicemail sometimes it will go thru easy and sometimes it doesn't. So CALL HIM. lol

I did call him and I left a message. He never called me back.

Had a great experience at the dealership today with getting my radio programmed. The tech was more interested in my truck than what he was actually doing. I have sound....!!!! 60 bucks and I was in and out.

Thank god for now....

By the way, this lux amp sounds incredible....Its way, way better sound than the stock non lux amp.

glad to hear it...

Good to hear. Dan will take care of you on the repair.

sorry to that sux..in time itll be up and running and youll be enjoying it

lol everything good now right?

Nick - Glad you're up and running, and you are right about the sound - way better. Did you find out what went wrong with the unit in the first place or what he repaired?

I have no idea yet. I know what went wrong, I just dont why.

IMO, all Dan has to do is replace that circuit board. Maybe replace that one amp circuit. He'll do a good job for you.


I wonder how a person becomes a Delphi radio repair person??? That could be a lucrative job.

Glad the stock head conversion went good. That proves that the wiring Ben did was good. We never really doubted you buddy!

I was thinking....:rolleyes: Is it possible that when the unit was converted from non-lux to lux that one of the power transformers (the burnt one) was suppose to be turn off did not take the "turn off" command? :bawl:

I was thinking....:rolleyes: Is it possible that when the unit was converted from non-lux to lux that one of the power transformers (the burnt one) was suppose to be turn off did not take the "turn off" command? :bawl:

Yes. It is possible.