MACH Stereo fail
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MACH Stereo fail
Hello All,
I bought a stereo and all the stuff to install it off of crutchfield, but the DIN tools are not working to release both sides. After a couple hours and a couple days of trying, along with very bruised hands, I now have a broken MACH stereo stuck in place. Were I to try more unconventional methods of removing the stereo, would I be able to remove everything out? I was figuring a chisel with some well placed hammer blows might be enough to convince the MACH of vacating the premises. At this point, it turns on and plays, but screen is dead due to din-tool failure. I know that all connections are at rear of stereo head unit, so I figure they should be in a safe spot to survive, unless anyone has any better ideas.
Thanks!
Chad
I bought a stereo and all the stuff to install it off of crutchfield, but the DIN tools are not working to release both sides. After a couple hours and a couple days of trying, along with very bruised hands, I now have a broken MACH stereo stuck in place. Were I to try more unconventional methods of removing the stereo, would I be able to remove everything out? I was figuring a chisel with some well placed hammer blows might be enough to convince the MACH of vacating the premises. At this point, it turns on and plays, but screen is dead due to din-tool failure. I know that all connections are at rear of stereo head unit, so I figure they should be in a safe spot to survive, unless anyone has any better ideas.
Thanks!
Chad
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Chances are you bent the tab and it wont bend inward to release the unit. I did the same by trying to use allen wrenches.
You should to remove the the whole trim. The whole things just pops off when you work around the edges. From there you can drill a hole on the side to remove the clips as shown in this picture here.
LINK
Or if that doesn't work, my method was remove the 2 top and 2 bottom torx screws of the radio faceplate. If the display is trashed for sure, then you wont have to worry about the ribbon cable on the bottom. Once the faceplate is off, you will have access to bend the tabs inward using a screwdriver.
best of luck
You should to remove the the whole trim. The whole things just pops off when you work around the edges. From there you can drill a hole on the side to remove the clips as shown in this picture here.
LINK
Or if that doesn't work, my method was remove the 2 top and 2 bottom torx screws of the radio faceplate. If the display is trashed for sure, then you wont have to worry about the ribbon cable on the bottom. Once the faceplate is off, you will have access to bend the tabs inward using a screwdriver.
best of luck
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Where can these torx screws be found? I'm looking at trashing the faceplate now anyways, so the easiest method possible is my preference. If that doesn't work, can I just rip the faceplate off and operate underneath on the tabs? Also, your pictures were quite helpful in giving me an idea of what's behind there.
Thanks,
Chad
Thanks,
Chad
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The torx screws can be seen after you have removed the trim. They are about 1/2" inch in. I uploaded a picture of it and also what the clip looks like.
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e.../WP_001471.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e.../WP_001472.jpg
yes you can rip off the faceplate, if you want to go that route. More importantly you'll want to rip the sides if anything. that's what you need access to
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e.../WP_001471.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e.../WP_001472.jpg
yes you can rip off the faceplate, if you want to go that route. More importantly you'll want to rip the sides if anything. that's what you need access to
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Screwdriver + knife + pliers = win! Only problem is it now sounds a bit "tin-ey". Bass sounds fine, but voices and guitar seem off. Any tips on equalizer maybe?
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Are all speakers working? Otherwise upping the treble could be my only suggestion.
Glad everything worked out, somewhat
Glad everything worked out, somewhat
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All speakers appear to be working, including the woofer. I've found a level of Bass I've never experienced before, my escape now sounds ridiculous at the low end. That being said, volume above about 18 on the new unit results in crappy highs and not so great mids. I'm thinking that the new unit is putting out more power than the stock speakers can handle. I read somewhere that the original systems were designed with a head unit going at 6-8 watts RMS per channel, and this new units is 18 watts RMS. While I'm not entirely sure the rating, it would make sense for them to crap out at higher volume based on that, and for the bass to sound fine since it has the amp driving it. Does this make sense?
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The upgrade in a head unit definitely brought out the subwoofer bass better then ever. I am not sure on the RMS raiting the stock head unit. Does your new radio have a separate subwoofer setting? Mine did, so I just put the regular bass at like -2 and the subwoofer level +3. That worked for me, otherwise your options are: inline high-pass filter, bass blocker or for a few dollars more and more reliable option, upgrade speakers. Are all speakers sounding crappy or maybe just the fronts?
also double check the polarities of the speaker wires.
also double check the polarities of the speaker wires.
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I checked polarities against schematic in manual, and it appears to check out. I think my tweeters may be the weak link here. I'm gonna look at upgrading to something rated at 50 RMS as that is my HUs peak. I have a feeling these things are probably rated at like 20-25 peak...plus they are 10 years old, so that probably doesn't help. Would adding in amps at this point do anything?
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If you are going to go all out you can get a multichanel amp with a built in crossover and some high end speakers if you want it blasting loud. Or you can just replace the tweeters and see what happens. Fade to the back and see how it sounds. if its still bad then all will probably need to be replaced.
Just replacing the HU alone sounded great and very loud my '03. maybe different speakers? who knows. It's basically up to you and how far you want to go and how much financial investment you want to put into it at this point
Just replacing the HU alone sounded great and very loud my '03. maybe different speakers? who knows. It's basically up to you and how far you want to go and how much financial investment you want to put into it at this point
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