Factory Sony head unit - volume fault

[The Arch Bishop]

This may sound a bit weird, but I really like the ridiculous Sony CD/Tape deck head unit in my early mk3. Yes, I'm the only person who apparently does, but life would be boring if we were all the same.

Anyway, upon switching it on this afternoon, I found a distinct lack of sound coming out of the speakers. Turning it right up, I could hear the CD a little better, but really distorted, like a stereo at full volume but a mile away.

Every now and then, it will bark briefly at full volume for a fraction of a second and then revert to its demure ultra neighbour-friendly volume once again. Sometimes, the volume will increase a little on its own for a bit but then naff off again.

So, I'm guessing there's an internal fault with the thing. But, I'm wondering whether anyone else has had the same and whether there's any easy fix other than replacement? I'm not keen on sticking some flashing aftermarket monstrosity in there. I just want my dreadful poor sound quality Sony working again.

I'm not sure why either...

[paulj]

Not sure why this is happening, but I share your slightly retro love for the original sony double din.  I even dug out an old multichanger and remote commander which work with it (never throw anything out)

As we are a minority, why not try dean or dick for a unit out of one of their breakers.

TBH my head unit wont play a CD in the front deck but with 10 in the changer I am happy to work around.....it also confuses my 25 year old kids when I am burning music to a silver disc and not even in mp3 mode!!!

[The Arch Bishop]

I'm quite keen to fix the one I have, but the breakers is a last resort.

Everything works but I have a feeling the amp in it has gone bad. Haven't even dug out my old cassettes yet!

Good to know there's at least one person likes them - the FL ones are just a bit dull looking!

[ManInDandism]

There's one for sale on the Roadster Facebook page

[The Arch Bishop]

Yeah I saw that, but I'm being rather tight at the moment. Hording cash for tyres but no choons is a bit boring!

[1979scotte]

You are all lunatics.
A 70 quid head unit from Halfrauds would be better in every way.
Your friends with the white coats will be along shortly.

[The Arch Bishop]

You are all lunatics.
A 70 quid head unit from Halfrauds would be better in every way.
Your friends with the white coats will be along shortly.

Yes, but can it play my old DJ Obsession cassettes? it could only be better if it had a Minidisc player as well...

[1979scotte]

You are all lunatics.
A 70 quid head unit from Halfrauds would be better in every way.
Your friends with the white coats will be along shortly.

Yes, but can it play my old DJ Obsession cassettes? it could only be better if it had a Minidisc player as well...

Minidisc?
Cassette?
The yoof won't even know what they are.

[ManInDandism]

You are all lunatics.
A 70 quid head unit from Halfrauds would be better in every way.
Your friends with the white coats will be along shortly.

Yes, but can it play my old DJ Obsession cassettes? it could only be better if it had a Minidisc player as well...

Minidisc?
Cassette?
The yoof won't even know what they are.

Plus cassettes wear out and degrade over time - need to transfer them to another media both to preserve recordings and make them more playable in the car. Lots of head units have an aux input anyway, so you could actually connect a Walkman or Minidisc player (though the volume knob becomes the only control). 

But I guess it as much about retaining the original look oh and being set in your ways! 

[The Arch Bishop]

Minidisc?
Cassette?
The yoof won't even know what they are.

Then they haven't lived! Now, where's my old wax drum recordings....

Plus cassettes wear out and degrade over time - need to transfer them to another media both to preserve recordings and make them more playable in the car. Lots of head units have an aux input anyway, so you could actually connect a Walkman or Minidisc player (though the volume knob becomes the only control). 

But I guess it as much about retaining the original look oh and being set in your ways! 

Don't get me wrong, I have a modern Sony USB/Bluetooth headunit in the garage gathering dust and my last car had a....gasp....DAB set up in it, but there's a perverse pleasure in buying an old car with the original stereo in it and the standard Sony one looks so superbly period!

I was planning to stick a Connects2 thingy in the back for playing modern media on.