The other day the left channel of my stereo stopped working. Since then, I've noticed that it cuts in and out as I go over bumps. About a year ago, I installed a iPod connection with a selector switch to override my XM when I want to listen to the iPod instead. I have a 2005 TSX with Nav. I was going to check out the wiring to the iPod and selector switch, but once I do that, I'm thinking the dealer is the next stop. However, I would probably have to uninstall the aftermarket iPod setup or get the obvious "its your iPod screwing up the head unit, not our problem" answer. Oh, and it isn't the speaker, as I still get nav instructions clearly out of the left speaker even when the radio won't play through it...

Any ideas?

thanks!

 

By the way, my iPod setup is a P.I.E. X3 aux switcher with a P.I.E. iPod interface. They have been installed and working great for about a year. The left channel dropping affects both my XM and iPod, but not the FM or CD, so I suspect that it might be something wrong with the P.I.E. (intermittant short?). Anyone else ever have this problem? Kind of surprising as I've had this installed for a while.

 

Yes, I had similar symptoms once, and it was due to my ipod unit's connector not being fully plugged in after I re-installed it one time. Its very likely its the pie adapter, either its connection is loose or it has gone bad.

IMO, remove the adapter for a day or two and drive around listening to XM. If it doesn't come back, you know what the problem is, and no dealer trip necessary.

 

I took a look at the PIE connection and it was a little loose. I played with it with the radio on and I was able to reproduce the problem. However, once I tighened the screws (for the large parallel-style connector), I still got the unit to cut out when I moved it. I think there is a short in the PIE X3 module. I did get the left channel to stay on, but I suspect I'll be replacing it before long.