broken head unit, some questions

[method]

I bought and AVIC F700BT on 12/9/2009. It hasn't been working right since I purchased it, I have tried troubleshooting the damn thing since I got it (yes I know of AVIC411, no luck there) and it still doesn't work. The unit keeps resetting itself. I have checked for any shorts, bad grounds, good voltage etc. Everything is wired properly, yet it continues to reboot. Royal pain in the ass. Even after several phone calls with Pioneer tech support I can't fix it. Everything they tell me to fix is fine.

So, I sent it back to Pioneer hoping they could fix it early in January, I got it back I think on 1/22/2009. A few days later I wired it all back up again thinking it would be fixed. No such luck, they only reloaded the software (GRRRR). So I try troubleshooting the thing again, checking all the connections, checking voltage supply etc. Everything is fine wiring wise. So I called up Pioneer again a week and a half ago. They want me to send it in again for repair. I asked them what they will do and the guy cant confirm that they wont just reload the software again.

Every time I send it in it's about $20.00 shipping because of insurance, etc.

I am outside of my 30day return for the dealer I got it from (Authorized Pioneer dealer on Amazon.com). I haven't contacted them to see if I can get a refund (I don't want the unit anymore, I've spent more time on this thing that it's worth). But even if they take it back they state there is a 15% restocking fee. This thing has basically been DOA by not functioning properly from day one. However I am outside of my 30 days by trying to diagnose the problem with Pioneer and having to send it in for repair.

While I am waiting to hear back from the vendor I bought it from, I was wondering if there was any other route I could take to get my money back. Through my credit card company, lawyer, or am I **** out of luck?

[jonny-rockets]

if you bought it with a credit card, i would return it, and cancel the charge. i would also follow up with a complaint to the better business bureau.

[method]

Is there a time limit on the credit card charge?

[Robk0000]

until you get the billing statement i would be?


did you have any problems with your previous radio?


I have a few suggestions before you return it you may wanna check.
New radios and other circuitboards have internal reset overload switches, when the input voltage flutters to a certain point or just is not stable it will reset the entire boards saving itself from overcurrent or whatever they call it. Like a fuse but resets itself.

Are you driving around when it resets? If so, try having the car in accessories and running it for a while, if this works fine and the radio doesnt reset, you may want to bring your car to subaru and have them do an alternator check. either you are getting too little or to much voltage. The radio harness usually gets anywhee from 12-14.4v constantly any more or less is bad.

Or try running the radio directly off the battery, not through the car harness and without the car running. This would also verify if its your alternator or not.

[jonny-rockets]

Is there a time limit on the credit card charge?


that's up to whoever your credit card bank is i think:spin:

[method]

Thanks Rob,

From what I can determine from the OBDII the voltage regulator is running between 13.8 and 14.6 depending. The stock radio worked fine, everything else works fine.

until you get the billing statement i would be?


did you have any problems with your previous radio?


I have a few suggestions before you return it you may wanna check.
New radios and other circuitboards have internal reset overload switches, when the input voltage flutters to a certain point or just is not stable it will reset the entire boards saving itself from overcurrent or whatever they call it. Like a fuse but resets itself.

Are you driving around when it resets? If so, try having the car in accessories and running it for a while, if this works fine and the radio doesnt reset, you may want to bring your car to subaru and have them do an alternator check. either you are getting too little or to much voltage. The radio harness usually gets anywhee from 12-14.4v constantly any more or less is bad.

Or try running the radio directly off the battery, not through the car harness and without the car running. This would also verify if its your alternator or not.

[TurboRush]

This isn't going to offer any help, but did you buy the HU new? How much did you pay?

[method]

Bought it new, paid $360 for HU and ipod adapter on a black friday sale.

[Robk0000]

i hope you didnt get it at circuit city, if so you better get to one of the stores asap before they close.

[method]

Nope, Amazon.com