I've read a few threads about this "hot startup" issue. I've got a customer with a Z2 that claims his is freezing on startup and he's reset it on the face several times. Is there another way to reset? I thought I'd read something in the manual about this but it didn't seem to work.

If the unit is dead like some of the others, what do I need to do with it? Send in to Pioneer? What are the details on that?

Thanks

Sure you can take it out and send it to Pioneer...they may or may not clear the drive (didnt on mine)...and send it back to you with a NTF (no trouble found)

They are aware or the problem..THe Japan techs know of it also...they are however unable to reproduce the issue thus unable to come up with a cure for the issue.

From my understanding, Pioneer will send back your original unit one time..next time replace the HD, next time send a new Z2...this is according to a tech that I spoke with at Pioneer, Ohio

Did they just cram too much stuff in that tiny double din package?

Absolutely! You have a mini computer in your car!

There was a thread about unit freezing on a start-up and somebody said something about a heat sensor. What I found out is when my unit got stuck, it got a HDD read error and when it was working properly, there was not read error.

Somebody mentioned doing a level 4 reset (I think you have to hold map button during navigation load). This WILL ERASE EVERYTHING from your hard drive (except for maps and stuff. All private info will be gone.) That someone didn't see this problem ever since. Me on the other hand - lost everything and I got back where I was. I gave my unit to the installer shop and they were kind enough to replace it for me. I haven't had this problem ever since.

hope this helps

dimaj

Thanks for the info. I'll try that level 4 reset.

Thanks for the info. I'll try that level 4 reset.

I wish you luck with that...I received my z2 back from pioneer..they didnt do much to it..I did a leve 4 and it still freezes up.

I think its a luck of the draw, some do it others do not

I would highly recomend sending a letter to pioneer with your unit and telling them that a bench test is not going to solve the problem and not to send the unit back to you with a NTF like they did with mine and a few others on here. I would accept nothnig less than a new hard drive, and then if that does not solve the problem a new unit all together.

I now know why there are so many refurb z's for sale on ebay.

I just spoke to Pioneer...They are going to send me a new unit with receipt of mine that is constantly failing!!

Who did you call?

I can't get through to a tech at all. They just tell me to send it in and/or do the level 4 reset, which I've done several times.

I finally sent it in on Tuesday with a 3 page documentation of all the problems.

You need to call the service center in which you have sent the unit to ... in my case that is the Ohio one...

Google pioneer service center....then the city/state to get the # or wait until your unit comes back with a packing slip...the # is on it

I had the freezing problem on bootup with mine as well. I reset it many times and it finally came back to life but I suspect that it will have problems again... I bought one of the first Z2s in my area and I know my dealer will replace it if it goes again but what a hassle having to go through and customize all my settings again...

Don

Talked to the service center today.

My unit arrived at 9:35am 7-18-07 via UPS Priority Overnight.

They were unable to locate my unit via serial number but were able to locate it via the UPS tracking number.

Their computer shows the package being scanned in at 1:30pm 7-18-07.

Today is 7-23-07, and they have yet to process my unit for warranty repair/issues.

The woman on the phone acknowledged that Pioneer is aware of this issue, but she was unable to answer my concerns about what happens if the techs are unable to replicate the issue.

She insists that the unit is on scheduled, and only 1 day overdue for entering into warranty/repair (assigning an ARA number).

I guess here is where I pray to god my unit doesn't get lost?

I have determined that the lockup problem is definately happening due to heat. If I leave the car outside in the sun and all inside the car heats up, the unit will lockup. Once the unit cools down, all is back to normal. The same thing has happened after a 2 hour trip with the air conditioner on and then stopping to fill up with gas. On restarting the car the Z2 locked up until it cooled down again. Thus without a doubt, the internal heat in the Z2 is causing the lockup wether from outside heat or internal operation heat. Reseting did not work except make me loose my rear view camera input.

Does anyone have an idea as to resolve this. Send the HD to Pioneer or what?

It will sit an a cooled service center for a few hours before they get to looking at it, so they will just send it back NTF, No Trouble Found. I don't think anybody has had any luck with getting it resolved through a Serviced Center. I would be curious to see if those who have updated their Z1's continue to have freezing problems.

The only "solution" I can think of is to wait several minutes for the car to cool off them restart or install a two position switch on the 12+ so that you can restart the unit w/o have to kill the ignition.

I also believe that it is due to heat. I have been back from vacation for a week now and I have left my windows open just enough to let some air in and heat out and I haven't had any problems yet. ( knock on wood )

Talked to the service center today.

 

My unit arrived at 9:35am 7-18-07 via UPS Priority Overnight.

 

They were unable to locate my unit via serial number but were able to locate it via the UPS tracking number.

 

 

Their computer shows the package being scanned in at 1:30pm 7-18-07.

 

Today is 7-23-07, and they have yet to process my unit for warranty repair/issues.

 

 

The woman on the phone acknowledged that Pioneer is aware of this issue, but she was unable to answer my concerns about what happens if the techs are unable to replicate the issue.

 

She insists that the unit is on scheduled, and only 1 day overdue for entering into warranty/repair (assigning an ARA number).

 

 

I guess here is where I pray to god my unit doesn't get lost?

Dont feel bad..My unit was delivered to Ohio on Monday the 23rd..and I now have to wait Aprrox. 2 weeks for a new unit from California...they ship ground..Im in Ga.

well mine strted fucking up today

first it started skiping sont on my HD then i shut the damm thing of and it just got stuck on splash

i try soft reset then only my nav was working i can't even open my AV stuff

then 5 more resets and it started working again

10 min later skiping songs and the stuck on splash WTF

is my HD done is is it the unit it self ???

Well if your lucky enough to be still under warranty..you can send it back...get a NTF code...install and have the unit screw up again..or not install it and call the next day saying its still doing it (because it will weather you install it or not) and have pioneer send you a new unit in retail packaging with all accessories as they did for me, unit to arrive today.

Unfortunately, the warranty is not reset and is still from the date of purchase for the original unit

Your stuck as the unit will only become worse freezing up more often over time. Seems to be luck of the draw...some do it...others dont.

Just got my unit back.

NTF.

I am going to chew them out on the phone. I gave a 2 page detailed list of how to replicate the problem.

Also I had a CD inside the unit that I was unable to eject because the unit would not start up.

Talking to the warranty rep, there is NO note of the CD, or any of the 4 items on my list of problems.

The ONLY note in the system is "No Trouble Found."

I am so pissed right now =/

I am fairly sure it's heat related as well. I have a Z1, and here in Texas it started freezing both last summer and this summer. It's worked flawlessly through the colder months.

I ended up cutting a hole in the a/c vent behind the radio, and installing a switch on the 12v switched line. I always turn off the switch when I stop. When I start the car, I have to let it run for about 5 minutes with the a/c blowing cold on the unit, then I can switch it on while I'm driving. It boots everytime when I do it that way, even though the dash is super hot right above the unit. It never boots if I forget and it turns on with the key.

I don't even have to park under shade now, I can always get it going while I'm on the road, no matter how hot it's gotten in the car.

I am fairly sure it's heat related as well. I have a Z1, and here in Texas it started freezing both last summer and this summer. It's worked flawlessly through the colder months.

 

I ended up cutting a hole in the a/c vent behind the radio, and installing a switch on the 12v switched line. I always turn off the switch when I stop. When I start the car, I have to let it run for about 5 minutes with the a/c blowing cold on the unit, then I can switch it on while I'm driving. It boots everytime when I do it that way, even though the dash is super hot right above the unit. It never boots if I forget and it turns on with the key.

 

I don't even have to park under shade now, I can always get it going while I'm on the road, no matter how hot it's gotten in the car.

What car do you drive? I was thinking of doing the same in my 350z with the AC vent.

Just got my unit back.

 

NTF.

 

 

I am going to chew them out on the phone. I gave a 2 page detailed list of how to replicate the problem.

 

Also I had a CD inside the unit that I was unable to eject because the unit would not start up.

 

 

Talking to the warranty rep, there is NO note of the CD, or any of the 4 items on my list of problems.

 

The ONLY note in the system is "No Trouble Found."

 

 

I am so pissed right now =/

I can relate...I was in the same situation 2 weeks ago. Now I have a new warranty replacement (since friday) it came with the updated software ready for the wire bypass.

I called the location that serviced the unit and spoke to a head tech..Ohio location his name is Garrett...very helpful...had the new unit sent out same day they received the old..

So far so good

I can relate...I was in the same situation 2 weeks ago. Now I have a new warranty replacement (since friday) it came with the updated software ready for the wire bypass.

I called the location that serviced the unit and spoke to a head tech..Ohio location his name is Garrett...very helpful...had the new unit sent out same day they received the old..

 

So far so good

I spoke to the Long Beach CA office.

The manager/supervisors were either "unavailable" or "out of the office."

However, I got transfered to someone in the service/operations department who knew much much more and he told me what to specifically tell the warranty department, and authorized the work.

marful: I have a Toyota 4-Runner. I believe this also contributes to the problem, as the 4-Runner radio opening is at the very top of the console, right under the dash, with no insulation under the dash.

I would guess that vehicles with the nav unit mounted lower, maybe with some buffer between the unit and the dash are not nearly as likely to have a heat issue as mine is.

On the 4-Runner, the a/c vent is right behind the nav unit, so it was simple to cut a hole to allow air to blow on the Z1

I can relate...I was in the same situation 2 weeks ago. Now I have a new warranty replacement (since friday) it came with the updated software ready for the wire bypass.

I called the location that serviced the unit and spoke to a head tech..Ohio location his name is Garrett...very helpful...had the new unit sent out same day they received the old..

 

So far so good

 

I spoke to the Long Beach CA office.

 

The manager/supervisors were either "unavailable" or "out of the office."

 

However, I got transfered to someone in the service/operations department who knew much much more and he told me what to specifically tell the warranty department, and authorized the work.

marful,

my z1 is in the long beach office last friday for the 3rd times. i spoke to sal, he's the lead operation technician. a lot of us has this problem but there's no cure yet or couldn't be duplicated it, he told me. i have a feeling that pioneer will exchange another one for me again. typical work around.

i've posted on another thread on my z1 symptoms. whenever i have music files in my hd, it will skip and freeze up on a hot/cool day. i delete all my music files, my z1 works like a champ for 4 days straight. i went ahead and report to pioneer and tip them with a clue i experienced. i decided to have it service again since it's still under warranty.

guys i have this down to the hard drive and the hard drive alone.

if your unit does not boot its because the hard drive is just too hot. if the unit boots but the music jumps around in the libarary then its just shy of not booting.

when ever the music is jumping around pull your hard drive out and feel it it will be hot. let it cool and it will boot and play fine.

2 schools of thought

#1 the z2 does not disipate heat well enough to cool a hot hard drive. this is really evedent.

#2 there is about a 30-35% [my guess] ratio of hard drives that are prone to heat failure before there rated limit. [if you know hard drives they are not really to predictable unless they are cold even some of the best drives have intermittent problems]