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lighting for Radio preset buttons

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Old 09-21-03 | 10:32 AM
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Question lighting for Radio preset buttons

I've noticed a strange phenomenon in my 90 LS Nak unit. When in CD mode, the radio preset buttons and the TUNE button all go dim(as in totally off). They all illuminate properly as soon as I go back into AM/FM mode. I've not yet tried to put a casette in to see whether the buttons illuminate.

Can anyone tell me if this is normal? It seems strange and illogical for this to be by design, but it can't be that the bulbs are burned out. Also, the buttons do work--it's just hard to see which one to press.

Has anyone else encountered this problem with the stock Nak audio?

Also, the volume **** as well as the bass/mid/treb and bal/fad all illuminate properly.

Thanks,
Mike

Last edited by mtsao; 09-21-03 at 10:34 AM.
Old 09-22-03 | 08:16 PM
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Anyone? Can some folks wih 1st gen LS and Nakamichi audio please check if the radio preset and tune buttons remain lit when using the CD player?

Thanks,
Mike
Old 09-23-03 | 06:03 AM
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Yes, when playing the CD player, only those buttons controlling the changer are illuminated. I personally love this feature. On my NAK (SC400 - 95), these CD functions are lit in red. I cannot comment on the tape functions as I do not use my cassette.
Old 09-23-03 | 07:18 AM
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Originally posted by mynoles1
Yes, when playing the CD player, only those buttons controlling the changer are illuminated. I personally love this feature. On my NAK (SC400 - 95), these CD functions are lit in red. I cannot comment on the tape functions as I do not use my cassette.
Mynoles1, I appreciate the response...but unfortunately, this would seem to suggest that there is something wrong with my unit. I don't know if the Nak underwent any changes from my 90 LS to your 95 SC, but I don't have *any* red illumination in mine, and the buttons for the radio presets also control the changer functions when in CD mode.

Could it be that I have burned out red bulbs?
Does anyone know if the same Nak unit is in these 2 vehicles?
Can anyone post a pic of what their unit looks like at night in CD mode?

Can it be that my radio hasn't been working right and I've not even known it?!?!

Thanks,
Mike
Old 09-23-03 | 10:36 AM
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Default here you go

here's a pic of what mine does when I pop in a cassette. Mine is not broken. hope this helps. Sorry I don't have a cd player
Attached Thumbnails lighting for Radio preset buttons-stereo.jpg  
Old 09-23-03 | 10:56 AM
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Pianoman, thanks for the pics. I take it then that when you are listening to FM, the cassette functions go dim, and the numbers on the preset buttons illuminate?

Mynoles, are the red CD function designators immediately below the preset buttons, in the way that the tape functions are above the buttons (see Pianoman's pics)?

Mike

Last edited by mtsao; 09-23-03 at 10:58 AM.
Old 09-23-03 | 11:41 AM
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You are correct. All the stuff that is lit in dark green for the tape go dark and the radio stuff comes to life.
Old 09-23-03 | 12:35 PM
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I see. Then it appears that I have some bulbs out, at a minimum. I'll definitely need to pop in a tape to troubleshoot.

Does anyone know how many bulbs are involved in lighting up the CD and Tape functions, and whether it's the same set of bulbs?

Mike
Old 09-23-03 | 02:28 PM
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Yes, the red is below the buttons. Green for the tape function and red for CD. Those colors are "built into" the NAK HU, and illuminated when the function is selected. Hope that helps.

As a side note, my lights have gone out behind my temperature control ****, AM and FM1/2 buttons. All went out at the same time, strangely. Is it common to lose a set of bulbs that are in proximity to each other like this - or could this be a different problem?? (sorry for piggy-backing the thread !!! )
Old 09-23-03 | 03:12 PM
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Originally posted by mynoles1
As a side note, my lights have gone out behind my temperature control ****, AM and FM1/2 buttons. All went out at the same time, strangely. Is it common to lose a set of bulbs that are in proximity to each other like this - or could this be a different problem?? (sorry for piggy-backing the thread !!! )
Hey, not piggy-backing at all--I'm curious myself as to the odds of all the bulbs going out at once. Then again, maybe there aren't that many bulbs in there. I've taken apart the AC display on a Toyota Previa to replace the bulbs, only to find that there is a nifty piece of fiber-optic plastic that illuminates the entire Red/Blue temperature slider panel. Hopefully the Nak is the same way. A quick call to the parts department should yield some answer. Hopefully my problem is 'as simple' as replacing some burned out bulbs.

Mike
Old 09-23-03 | 08:33 PM
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Mike,

This thread has got me confused. On my '96 ES with the stock Pioneer unit, at night, only the relevant buttons are backlight. If I'm listening to the radio, my preset buttons, tune/seek are lit, but nothing for CD/Tape. When listening to the CD changer, the track/seek, random/repeat, etc. are lit up, but nothing for Radio/Tape. Haven't used a tape in the car, to be honest, but I figure the Radio/CD functions go dark. I thought this was a clever feature, to avoid distracting the driver with functions not available in a particular mode.

Forgive me if I have it wrong, and you're not getting anything to light up when in CD mode. But, if you're only getting the "relevant" functions lit up for each mode, nothing is burnt out--you're just noticing a clever design feature.
Old 09-24-03 | 07:18 AM
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Squarehat, sorry to be confusing--I won't do it again. You're right though, I'm not getting any CD functions to illuminate. I just popped in a cassette tape and confirmed that yes, the Tape functions do illuminate properly while the preset "numbers" go dim. When I use the CD though, I get nothing.

Unfortunately, my calls to the parts departments in the area were decidedly unproductive. They list the Nak head unit as 'unserviceable' and want $325 + labor to send it away for bulb replacement.

I agree, this is a **very** nifty feature, right up there with the self-adjusting antenna(!!)--I only wish I could see it work in all its glory.

I'll search the forums for some DIY info--I want the bulbs replaced, but I can't justify spending $300+. I've read about Sunray Lighting being a good source for oem bulbs...

Mike

Last edited by mtsao; 09-24-03 at 02:18 PM.
Old 09-24-03 | 01:43 PM
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I suggest you PM onelasttry and see if he would be willing to work on it for you...
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