I have a customer who brought me an 04 Escalade with a Z-2 that her late husband had prof. installed in florida(she's here in wi. for summer). Sometimes when you start the vehicle, it will play the mode it was last on when shut off. When you go to change it from that, for ex.from the radio to the next source, it will display everything correctly and show its playing, but there will be no sound. Sometimes it will work on the next mode, for ex. the hard drive, but then if you toggle back around to radio again it will show the station and info but no sound. If you turn off the key but keep door closed, it will turn on the sound until you open the door, then it shuts off the unit like it is supposed to do. If you restart the vehicle, most of the time it will play normally, but sometimes it just plays and is frozen on the main pioneer screen it displays when booting up. The system did work correctly for some time, unfortunately, I don't think she knows where he had it installed to take it back to. Do you think the the unit needs to be replaced or is it something that can be reprogrammed? Her husband was a VERY good customer of mine at my hot rod shop, and I'd like to take care of this hopefully without having to buy a new unit. Thanks in advance for any replies. p.s. I build hot rods not computers, so if its a programming thing, please be basic with it.lol

Does anyone have an idea about this?

It does not sound like an issue that programming can fix. My interpretation of your explanation above would be 2 problems. The first is the sound issue. It could be something with the PAC interface installed or the wiring connections between the HU, PAC, and factory wiring. This is my guess, as it sounds like a problem with the amps not turning on. The second issue the the freezing on the boot screen. I would confirm that the Pioneer firmware that fixes the lock up issue is installed. If it has already been installed, then the hdd could be failing. I hope this at least gives you a place to start troubleshooting. Good luck and keep us updated on the status.

Thanks for your reply, She has no idea what he had done before he passed away. Is there a simple way to see if the updates are installed? Is the pac an amp control, and would it be an oem or a pioneer unit? If its a connection problem, why would it work on fm then not work when switched to the hard drive? I dont have the vehicle here at this time so I'm just trying to get as much info before she brings it back. Thanks for your help.

If it ALWAYS works on FM, but NEVER on any other source, then it's a quick fix. Can you confirm if this is true?

Not always on fm, it usually works on whatever it was on when you shut it off, but then when you switch to something else it will cut the audio. Even the voice for the gps quits. Sometimes it will work on the next function or two and will keep working until you try another function then it will quit, but if you turn off the key, it will come on until you open the door. This is why i feel it is internal but I haven't seen the wiring yet so its hard to say and if you still feel its where you first suggested, I'll give it a try. After seeing all the posts with problems these units have, I'm thinking about just replacing the whole unit.

I don't think its the HU, but I could be wrong...

The PAC device is what is used between the HU and the factory wiring. It 'translates' between the 2 so that you can use the factory harness and not cut wires. It also allows you to intgrate facotry components like amps, etc.

Check the FAQ, Support, and Products here:

http://www.pac-audio.com/

Thanks, I'll start there. What about the update? any easy way to tell if its been done?

update is here:

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/ ... zing+Issue.

Burn the disc, and the Z will only update if it does not currently have the update. I don't recall the version number, but someone else may chime in and assist.

That seems easy enough, I'll give it a shot. Thanks again!