A while back my AVIC N1's screen just went black. When I touch the screen it still makes sounds like it working, but I can see nothing.
I have done a lot of research and found that many people blame the flex cable for this.
I know there is a guy on Ebay who fixes it, and I even took it to my local stereo repait (who quoted me $300. haha).
So my question is how often is it really the flex cable for this problem.
Is the flex cable fairly easy to switch out?
This link is for a different problem, but explains how to purchase and change the flex cable 
And the flex cable is currently only $38.60 through Pioneer's website 
ok, I just got done taking apart my AVIC-N1, but I don't see anything wrong with the flex cable. Maybe it rips under the screen where I can't see?
Here is what it looks like:
I don't see anything wrong in your pictures either. But I understand that even though the flex cable might not be cracked, one (or more) of the filaments running inside the flex cable might.
I dont wanna preach but since youre familiar with opening the unit, why not spend the $38 to see if it would work, and possibly save u the $300 charge? (I believe Pioneer itself chargers $250)
You'll never see a break in the flex cable. Hell you can't even test for continuity accross the terminals. They break that's what they're good at. Replace it and you should be fine. Unless you break something else while you're in there.
ok guys, I just ordered the part, so I should get it early next week.
Thanks for your help!!
One last thing though, I manually slid the screen a little bit while taking the unit apart, maybe just about 1/2 and inch, you think it will be ok?
Should I force it back in, or just leave it?
Thanks again!
I would keep the forcing to a minimum.
Forcing parts that don't want to be moved is usually not a good idea.
And yeah you can almost never tell if those kinds of cables are broken. They posed to be a pain in the ass when I was repairing PS2s. Theres several of them that could cause problems, and I usually ended up breaking them anyway because they're so fragile.
My screen went blank yesterday. I see a trend forming with this problem. I ordered the flex cable and am anxiously waiting for it to arrive. I hope its the cable and not the bulb.
I currently have my AVIC in this state:
How do I get the ribbon cable out of the back of the screen? It seems like that black palte needs to come off, but I'm not sure how it does?
Thanks for your help!
just got it all back in and it works now.
thanks for all your help!!
So is this problem just affecting the n1s, or is it happening to all the N series?
Sweet! Im glad you got it working! And from what Ive read here, the new flex cable is much more durable than the original ones installed in the N1's. And to think, you paid $39 plus a lil bit of your own labor, where as pioneer charges $250!
lol yeah! kind of makes me want to set up shop fixing N1s. haha
Just replaced my flex cable but my screen still remains blank. All button presses work just as before. Im starting to think something else might be wrong. So frustrated right now. 