RobJanis
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| Posts: 223
| Joined: 06/05
Posted: 05/11/06
06:43 AM
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Who Is Your OEM
Very elaborate car audio systems are now appearing on all makes of cars coming straight from the factory. These systems are more than adequate for the owners of these cars and many do not even have the desire to upgrade the factory system. Others may just want to enhance the system somewhat with an additional amplifier and a subwoofer or new rear speakers, etc.
This describes a lot of people who enjoy the use of their car audio system. However, there are some issues that obstruct these people from experiencing forever joy. If, for example, someone wants to do a modest upgrade which calls for the location of the factory system amplifier for integration purposes, they may not know where that location is. Moreover, when the head unit of many of these factory systems is disconnected from power and then re-connected, it won’t work unless a proper code is entered.
Dan Merrill, sales manager for Fujitsu Ten, said, “For the most part, location of the amplifier is dependent on the OEM and the maker of the car. People feel that they can put an amplifier anywhere. But the most popular locations are the rear quarter panel on SUVs and the rear trunk shelf on four-door sedans.”
As for head units supplied by Fujitsu Ten, Merrill said, “Once a vehicle losses battery power then re-connects, the head unit should automatically reset. How it works is when the vehicle is first built as the *** plant the VIN code is programmed in. This VIN code is stored in the BCM which teaches the radio. If power is lost and then restored, the BCM uses the stored VIN code to automatically wake up the radio.”
Chuck Tringali is with the marketing department of Pioneer Electronics. He noted that Pioneer is the OEM for Ford and Lincoln/Mercury and supplies amplifiers, speakers, and navigation systems. He confirmed that the head unit could be disabled if removed from the vehicle or disconnected from power. But, he said, only the dealerships are authorized to restore the head unit. The Reason? Said Tringali, “Most of the new systems today, even the mid level systems, have linked the amplifier or head unit or another device in the vehicle through an interface bus. It’s like a computer bus. If you break that line by removing a radio say or other component, then the bus of the system does not recognize the component when it is re-instated into the system and the system shuts down. Some model cars have this type of system and some do not.
“As far as the amplifiers are concerned, when the amplifier is separate from the head unit it is generally placed in the rear section of the vehicle behind a trim panel. It is not very accessible and it is designed to be that way. The amplifier is pretty much hidden and special bracketry is used. You have to take off the entire back section trim to get at it.
“The dealer knows all of this,” continued Tringali. He also cautioned that you could violate your car’s warranty if you tamper with things to try and locate the amplifier. He noted that dealerships may not say where components are located. Moreover, they need computers that interface with the system. His suggestion is to take your car to the dealership and let them restore the head unit and don’t fool around with the amplifier.
What we have attempted to do here is identify the original equipment manufacturers of many of the factory audio systems. This way, if you have issues, you can go straight to the source. It should be noted that many of the manufacturers would not give up any information. So much relies on heavy research on the internet. There may have been some bogus information from some sites.
OEM: Bose (http://www.bose.com) OEM: Boston Acoustics
(http://www.bostonacoustics.com)
Model Cars Using Bose Systems: Model Cars Using Boston Acoustics
Acura Chrysler
MDX 300
RL PT Cruiser
NSX
RSX Type-S Dodge
Caliber
Alfa Romeo Charger
Magnum
147
156 OEM: Delco
Sportswagon
GT Model Cars Using Delco
156 GTA
Crosswagon Ford
Chrysler
Audi General Motors
A2 Sedan OEM: Alpine (http://www.alpine-usa.com)
A3
A4 and S4 Model Cars Using Alpine
A4 Avant and S4 Avant
A4 and S4 Cabriolet Ford
A6 and A6 Avant BMW
S6, RS6 and RS6 Avant Porsche
AB and AB L Honda
Allroad Toyota
TT Coupe
TT Roadster OEM: Audiovox (http://www.audiovox.com)
Cadillac Model Cars Using Audiovox
DTS Ford
XLR
STS
CTS OEM: Pioneer
Escalade (http://www.pioneerelectronics.com)
Escalade EXT Model Cars Using Pioneer
Escalade ESV
SRX Ford
Lincoln/Mercury
Chrevolet
OEM: Sony (http://www.sony.com)
Corvette
Impala Model Cars Using Sony
Tahoe
Avalanche Ford
Trailblazer
Trailblazer EXT
Suburban OEM: JBL (http://www.jbl.com)
Silverado Crew Cab
Silverado Extended Cab Model Cars Using JBL
SSR
Toyota
Ferrari
612 Scagletti OEM: Clarion (http://www.clarion.com)
GMC Model Cars Using Clarion
Envoy Nissan
Envoy XL Jaguar
Envoy XUV
Yukon XL
Yukon OEM: Blaupunkt
Sierra Crew Cab (http://www.blaupunktusa.com)
Sierra Extended Cab Model Cars Using Blaupunkt
Hummer Porsche
Volkswagon
H2 Audi
H2 SUT
Infiniti OEM: Nakamichi
(http://www.nakamichi.com)
G35 Sport Sedan Model Cars Using Nakamichi
Q45
FX45/FX35 Lexus
I35
QX4
QX56 OEM: Fujitsu Ten/Eclipse
G35 Sport Coupe
M Model Cars Using Fujitsu Ten
Maserati Toyota (Various Models)
Quattroporte Chevrolet
Monte Carlo
Mazda Impala
Equinox
3 4/5 Door
6/ Atenza Sport Sedan Buick
6/Atenza 5-Door Laserne
6/Atenza Sport Wagon
RX-8 Pontiac
MX-5 Torrent
Mercedes-Benz Suzuki
XL7
A-Class
S-Class Sedan
CL-Class
SL-Class
SLR McLaren
Nissan
Maxima
Altima
Pathfinder
Armada
Elgrand
Murano
Cima
Quest
Skyline Sedan
Fuga
Skyline Coupe
350Z and Fairlady Z Roadster
Stagea
Porsche
911 Coupe, Cabriolet and Turbo
911 Targa
Boxster
Carrera GT
Cayenne
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Posted: 05/11/06
10:17 AM
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