1985 928S Stereo

[PC-85-928S]

My 1985 928 US came with an aftermarket Pioneer stereo.
It sounded fine but did not light up anymore.

I bought a Blaupunkt Madison CD127 on ebay.
This was the first CD player radio that came with a 928, so I thought it would be a good upgrade.

I asked my mechanic to put it in for me while the car was at the shop.
(not the best idea in retrospect)

He got in it, but it does not sound clear, has popping and hissing, and sounds like some thing is wired wrong.

The drivers side fader is no longer working as well.

I am wondering if the previous aftermarket stereo was not wired to the amp on the passender side.

So now I don't know if I should bi-pass the amp, or just check the wiring. Does every speaker wire come from the amp? Even the 2 door speakers?

Any insight appreciated

[MPDano]

My input is that the Blaupunkt Amp is that it's a piece of junk. Bypass and put a better amplifier in your car. Also, the Fader is lame as the car is so small anyways.

As far as hissing, could be he got the wires crossed (+ is on - post), but that can be checked by temporarily wiring a known good speaker to one of the channels and see if it continues. Buying a used Head unit from eBay is a crap shoot. You also might have gotten a bogus unit.

[PC-85-928S]

I should add that my mechanic is really the only person I trust when it comes to the electrical system on my car, and the thought of bringing it to a "stereo shop" makes me ill!

[PC-85-928S]

I would really like to put back an original SQR23 cassette radio, and have it wired with an aux input.
That way it would look stock, but have the ability to accept and ipod.

[harborman]

I replaced my original Blaupunkt with a JVC KD77? single DIN radio/cd. It has a touch screen face and can actually play DVD's. It was about $649 and fit in very well. Screen all dark when off. Screen folds down for CD/DVD. Front can be removed. Radio has remote control and you can get a HD radio module as well.

I left the original amp in but totally disconnected it. You can jumper all your speakers at the amp location on passenger side. My fader is disconnected as the JVC has a built in fader, equalizer, custom settings. I don't think you want to use the original amp with your new radio. Open the pod by passenger seat and see if the amp is still connected.

[harborman]

Check this out.

new JVC KD-AVX77

My install last year.

[PC-85-928S]

what are the sizes for the 2 speakers in the door?
and the 2 in the back?

[harborman]

Originally Posted by PC-85-928S

what are the sizes for the 2 speakers in the door?
and the 2 in the back?

I think they were 4" in the doors and 6" in the rear.

[PC-85-928S]

the small speaker, which i think is a tweeter measures apx 4"
the larger seems 5.5"

is that correct?

[joejoe1]

For a look that is close to what (I think) would have been in a 928 in '85-'86 I installed the Blaupunkt neveda or alaska cd units. They were only 40x4 units and you ALWAYS bypass original amp. Unfortunately these are not made anymore but will show up on ebay sometimes. While not the most powerful it does drive all 8 speakers with no problem (I am not a big base shaking guy) With these units you can buy the thummer control that fits on the steering wheel and controls the head unit. On the '86.5 I had the sqr23 and it is still in a box somewhere but is missing cassette door and will go with car if it is ever sold.

[harborman]

Originally Posted by joejoe1

For a look that is close to what (I think) would have been in a 928 in '85-'86 I installed the Blaupunkt neveda or alaska cd units. They were only 40x4 units and you ALWAYS bypass original amp. Unfortunately these are not made anymore but will show up on ebay sometimes. While not the most powerful it does drive all 8 speakers with no problem (I am not a big base shaking guy) With these units you can buy the thummer control that fits on the steering wheel and controls the head unit. On the '86.5 I had the sqr23 and it is still in a box somewhere but is missing cassette door and will go with car if it is ever sold.

Why bother installing an older obsolete radio when you can put in a nice new one with Blue tooth, Hd radio, CD, DVD, Iphone connection, etc. If I sell the car and someone wants the original radio, it's in a box in the garage! It has casset, none working FM and I might even throw in some old tapes! I think I put JL Audio replacements in the doors and Alpine Coaxial in the rears.

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by harborman

Why bother installing an older obsolete radio when you can put in a nice new one with Blue tooth, Hd radio, CD, DVD, Iphone connection, etc. If I sell the car and someone wants the original radio, it's in a box in the garage! It has casset, none working FM and I might even throw in some old tapes! I think I put JL Audio replacements in the doors and Alpine Coaxial in the rears.

I agree. Find a Head Unit that blends in with the 928 Console, and with all the latest and greatest "current" technology. Do you really need to be that much of a Purist to run an ancient Blau with a Cassette?

[rhjames]

unless you are building/restoring a car to concours condition, it's pointless to put a 30 year old piece of junk back in a car.....

upgrade to what ever the latest and greatest unit is, and enjoy......

[riber.bentsen]

if money is not a problem, then this is the radio for you:



Only $700!!

I can understand putting an outdated HU back in the car. I myself is not an audio guy, and I like the look of the old Blaus. I bought an RCM 43 with a 10 CD-changer from 1994. Nice compromise between performance and OEM-look

[harborman]

Originally Posted by riber.bentsen

if money is not a problem, then this is the radio for you:



Only $700!!

I can understand putting an outdated HU back in the car. I myself is not an audio guy, and I like the look of the old Blaus. I bought an RCM 43 with a 10 CD-changer from 1994. Nice compromise between performance and OEM-look

I paid $649 for that JVC I mentioned above. When it's off, the screen is all dark, no knobs, nothing shows and it has the works, all latest stuff. I say, put in what you like not what someone else likes. I can go hands free on my cell phone and audio comes through the speakers. I can play my Iphone music through the radio. I can even customize the screen, put a Porsche logo on it if I like, or a picture of my car, etc. Can even watch a movie on it! Someone wants the old Blau it's in the box, if one is foolish enough to reinstall it.

[joejoe1]

I installed my units well over 8 years ago. At the time they were not 'obsolete' and work perfect, so I do not think they are obsolete now (I also really like the thummer control) Personally (and I mean only me) I cannot see the value or necessity of a stereo that is $650. In one of the posts PC wanted something that looked kind of stock. This is why I mentioned what I have. If you look at a picture of the unit I believe you might also think it may have come stock with a 928. Maybe I am just getting old as I still have all my 8 tracks, cassettes, reel to reel, and LP's. (also still getting used to cd's, lol)

[Pete R]

The opening is a standard din opening so just about everything is advailable. I would look in stores to see if you can find the look you want. Even a $200 modern head unit will sound better than any stock Blaupunkt. While the 928 electrics are complex the stereo wiring is fairly easy and straight forward. I wouldn't bring it to the local best buy and let a 16 year old kid install it , but and pro-audio installer should have no problem with the install. the 928 is far less complex stereo wise than the modern cars with integrated alarms, steering wheel controls, blue tooth ect. It should be a breeze. I have gone a bit overboard in my car but I installed everything myself. I do get a slight shock and pee my pants every time I change a cd.. but it sounds awesome

[harborman]

Originally Posted by Pete R

The opening is a standard din opening so just about everything is advailable. I would look in stores to see if you can find the look you want. Even a $200 modern head unit will sound better than any stock Blaupunkt. While the 928 electrics are complex the stereo wiring is fairly easy and straight forward. I wouldn't bring it to the local best buy and let a 16 year old kid install it , but and pro-audio installer should have no problem with the install. the 928 is far less complex stereo wise than the modern cars with integrated alarms, steering wheel controls, blue tooth ect. It should be a breeze. I have gone a bit overboard in my car but I installed everything myself. I do get a slight shock and pee my pants every time I change a cd.. but it sounds awesome

Did you install any bass speakers? Just wondering. Yes, the new radios have all sorts of features like the new cars today. It is a single DIN opening but there are radios that have a fold out double DIN screen. I was considering one but was not sure it would interfere with the shifter. I am quite happy with my JVC and all it's features.

[harborman]

Originally Posted by joejoe1

I installed my units well over 8 years ago. At the time they were not 'obsolete' and work perfect, so I do not think they are obsolete now (I also really like the thummer control) Personally (and I mean only me) I cannot see the value or necessity of a stereo that is $650. In one of the posts PC wanted something that looked kind of stock. This is why I mentioned what I have. If you look at a picture of the unit I believe you might also think it may have come stock with a 928. Maybe I am just getting old as I still have all my 8 tracks, cassettes, reel to reel, and LP's. (also still getting used to cd's, lol)

Well, electronics changes quite fast. There are so many new features today. But, sure if your radio is working and you like it, thats fine. My Blau had no functional FM band. I looked into having it fixed and the cost. Did not make sense to do and the tape was useless. So I installed the new one and replaced the 4 speakers. Maybe a totally stock look is nice if you are having Barret Jackson sell the car, but otherwise not important if you drive the car.

[Pete R]

Originally Posted by harborman

Did you install any bass speakers? Just wondering. Yes, the new radios have all sorts of features like the new cars today. It is a single DIN opening but there are radios that have a fold out double DIN screen. I was considering one but was not sure it would interfere with the shifter. I am quite happy with my JVC and all it's features.

I think the double din sceen may also get in the way of the climate controls too.


yes, I have 2 10" subs in a custom enclosure. I have an Eclipse head unit and 2 amps. I will post some pics later and take the abuse from all the anti- audio guys