guywitha968

My CD player stopped working a long time ago in the CD-2 and I decided I could live without that feature. But today the front sound went out and turned to static. The sound in the rear is still there. Oddly, this noise continues when I turn off the radio, it continues to crackle when the car isn't even running! To make it quit I had to pull the Booster Fuse. This seems to me to be saying the booster is what went belly up. I could live without the CD player, but no sound at all won't cut it. So since it appears I need a new booster (or get the original repaired if that is at all possible), I might as well replace the head unit also and restore CD function. In fact, I'd like to add MP3 playback and either AUX and/or Bluetooth input as well at this point.

I can most likely, eventually, figure it all out. But if someone has a step-by-step for pulling all the old and putting in the new (pictures being a bonus), that would sure make the job easier. For example, I don't even know where the booster is located so knowing even that would be a helpful start!

It would also be nice to get a recommendation or 2 about what to put in for replacements. I really prefer to reuse the existing wires, and as far as I know right now, the speakers are working fine so I don't really want to tear into the doors and the back speaker locations, I just want to restore a functional system.

I'm looking forward to some good advice to make this job easier!

Thanks
GM

Yogii

Look at the Classic Porsche radio.

-Yogii
AKA 968 Novice

dlearl476

How involved do you want to get with it? How much experience do you have with that sort of work?

TBH, I was a sound guy for 30 years and did wiring for a living. When I wanted CD player, I looked up a XM radio on Crutchfeld and took it to a really good sound shop.
I bought the 2005 version of this, only with a CD and XM radio. I like that this is just BT. It’s a lot easier just using your phone and it gives you hands free phone op, too.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500UTE...T.html?tp=5684

guywitha968

I have installed multiple car units in the past although the last time was around 25 years back. In this case I only want to replace what doesn't work and reuse everything I can. So finding something that is compatible with the wiring would be my first choice, if that can be found.

I'll keep the one you mentioned in mind although that one doesn't play CDs, so it doesn't meet my initial requirements so it's not a first choice.

Thanks for the reply.

guywitha968

Where would I find this unit?
-g

Yogii

https://www.porsche.com/usa/accessor...ghlights/pccm/

-Y

guywitha968

Ah interesting, but way more updates than I have in mind.. Thanks but I'll pass on this one!
-g

dlearl476

That one was just the first one that came up when I searched for “92 Porsche” applications. Like I said, mine is virtually identical and has CD and XM.

FWIW, When I bought mine, 968 was in the drop down menu for 92-95 Porsches. Now it’s just the 911 models and 968 GT. But I’m sure the 911 ones are compatible.

jeff968

If you prefer the stock look (like I do) your best option is to send your radio out to Creative audio in CA and have them rebuild it. You can tell them not to bother with the CD player if you don't care about it. I also had them add bluetooth integration into my CD-2 and it came out great. I have a full stock look and can stream music from my phone. The price is reasonable as well and they know these radios. they are at creaticecaraudioshop.com

guywitha968

This sounds promising, I'll check in with Creative Audio. I may have to send them the head unit and have them Test then Repair if needed, cause I can't tell if the failure is the head or the amp. Of course, I don't even know for sure there is a booster / amp, until I know where to look, or decide to trace wires, all I know I have for sure exists is the head unit. I did look under the passenger seat, doesn't appear to be anything there that looks like and amp. But I can't yet get twisted around enough to see under the driver seat. Does you CD-2 use and external amp or drive the speakers directly? And if it has an external amp, do you know where it's located?

Thanks,

DSMblue

If you have the hi-fi option with ten speakers, you should have amps under both the driver and passenger seats.

bbain

Hi @guywitha968 , as others have stated, there are many approaches that you could take. Your budget will probably be a key factor in determining what you upgrade/replace. Since the cabin is so small on the 968, I found upgrading the head unit with a decent power amp and installing quality speakers resulted in great sound quality with a fantastic audio profile. I wrote the linked post up 14 years ago and perhaps the wiring info will help.

Cheers!

https://rennlist.com/forums/968-foru...ereo-info.html

jeff968

I can tell you that. I run the 968 register and have all the cars in my database. I can tell you if you have the 490 hi-fi sound with amp option. What year is your car? Coupe or cab? Last 3 of VIN? Jeff

guywitha968

I can't say for sure what I actually have. I got out the original window sticker, yes I have that from 1994, and I find two related mentions. In the Standard Equipment List, I see Cassette Stereo Sys, 6 Speaker. Then in the options I see Radio with CD Player/Amp (nothing in print about 10 speakers). So since I can't see anything that looks like an amp under the passenger seat, that would seem to say I do not have the hi-fi option per your [DSMBlue] message.

So if this is an accurate assumption that I don't have the h-fi option, is there still an external amp, or is the head unit also the amp in this case? If there an amp in the non-hi-fi version, where is that located? (Sure wish those x-ray glasses I got when I was 10 worked...).

guywitha968

Jeff, it's a 1994 Coupe, last 3 are 076...