I purchased this head unit about 18 months ago and installed it myself. Works great, never any problems. Over the last few months, however, when I am listening to XM the volume will suddenly dip down to a very quiet level. A few minutes later, and unpredictably, it will jump back to where it was. The volume "number" doesn't change if I check it by turning the knob, but the actual sound level is different. Doesn't happen on radio/CD/iPod. Nothing in the vehicle has changed, including settings on the head unit, in many months. This is installed in a 2002 VW Passat with Monsoon. Thanks in advance.
Initially, my thought was the mute function was being somehow automatically engaged. But it should display a "mute" note on the display or something else obvious, so I doubt that's the case. The fact that it happens only while listening to XM makes me suspect the XM receiver is the source of the problem. Check to make sure the connection to/from the XM receiver is good with no corrosion or dirt. Check the power/ground on the XM receiver and make sure they aren't loose. If I have any more ideas, I'll let you know!
Initially, my thought was the mute function was being somehow automatically engaged. But it should display a "mute" note on the display or something else obvious, so I doubt that's the case. The fact that it happens only while listening to XM makes me suspect the XM receiver is the source of the problem. Check to make sure the connection to/from the XM receiver is good with no corrosion or dirt. Check the power/ground on the XM receiver and make sure they aren't loose. If I have any more ideas, I'll let you know!
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what year is your car?newer cars 1999 and up the radio wiring harness goes thru the ecm (electronic control module).if that head unit is not supported it wont work correctly.in a bad case senario the head unit could damage the ecm.
Probably you dont have the constant pos (+) wire hooked up to hot (+) wire and only to a source that is switched. Switched means every time your key is removed from ignition switch the positive current from that source will also power down. There are two positive leads from the unit, 1 always hot and the other needs to be switchable. The constant hot (usually yellow) powers the memory for your settings. Just like your television set, once you pull the cord off the socket everything returns to default setting.
Not to sound very obvious, but it honestly just sounds like there is a connection problem between the faceplate and the unit. I would first try using some electrical contact cleaner and cleaning the contacts, installing and removing the faceplate a few times and see what that does. I hope this does something for you. Let me know if I can be of more assistance.
You can download the manual from the link below:
http://vault.alpine-usa.com/products/documents/CDA-9857%20OM.PDF
Please update the question & let us know if the information given was useful to you - Good Luck!
my alpine cda 9856 only displays that message when my ipod dies. so your ipod pobably dies then the head unit recharges it enough in the time your resetting it that it can play again. :)
Initially, my thought was the mute function was being somehow automatically engaged. But it should display a "mute" note on the display or something else obvious, so I doubt that's the case. The fact that it happens only while listening to XM makes me suspect the XM receiver is the source of the problem. Check to make sure the connection to/from the XM receiver is good with no corrosion or dirt. Check the power/ground on the XM receiver and make sure they aren't loose. If I have any more ideas, I'll let you know!
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