Factory Bose head unit

2257 Views 8 Replies 5 Participants Last post by ChrisK, May 30, 2002

jewelberry

Discussion Starter · May 28, 2002

I am a bit confused about the Bose factory Head unit.

I have a '91 Legend (not too sure L or Ls model), but it has a factory Bose head unit with speakers using 2ohms (I read the back of my 6x9 rear speakers)- Which I believe means that my unit is the one with the amp under the rear passenger seat.

This car was originally owned by my brother who just bought a new Q45, and left me the car to repay a loan from me - so I am just getting to know the car.

Since the car didn't come with a cd factory cd changer, I naturally thought that the head unit is not connectable to a factory changer. But when I was looking through Ebay, looking to upgrade the current head unit with another used model head unit with a factory cd changer, I noticed that the Acura Bose head units being auctioned with a factory changer looks like the same unit that I have. So my question is.. are there many different Legend Bose head units from the '91 model? And if there are different head units (Bose only), how do I know which one can connect to a factory changer if from the front view the head units seem to look exactly the same.

My head unit has the Bose logo on the cassette door but I don't see a cd or compact disc logo anywhere - does the changer abled units have a cd labeled button? I want to find out if my unit can connect to a factory changer before making any upgrades.
Your help will be much appreciated.

Also how do I know if my Legend is an L or an LS? My car is black/black sedan w/leather seats/5sp/sun roof/side mirror heating/etc - seems to have all the options except the cd changer and a rear spoiler.

I would like to know the exact model of my car because I wish to fix the minor flaws and sell it. Eversince I got the car two weeks ago I've replaced the antena, repaired the lighter socket, installed new driving/fog lights, detailed the leather seats and took the car to the dealer for the audio amp recall (front speajers still won't work though). This week I will be getting a complete paint job to bring the car back to pristine condition. resolving this cd changer issue and the finding out the car;s exact model will end my time investment in the car and be ready to sell.

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WhiteLegend

· #2 · May 28, 2002

all 91-95 Legends came pre-wired for CD-Changer regardless of trim level. So if you purchase a used Legend CD-changer from e-bay, the installation is plug and play. To use the CD-changer, you just press the AM/FM button, it'll scroll through AM, then FM, then CD. This will only work if a changer is installed.

The easiest way to tell if it's a L or LS is by looking at your heat/AC controls. LS came with a digital climate control, L came with manual controls with 2 knobs. Also LS has powered passenger front seat, but the L can be modified to have that also.
But the Climate control thing should be a definite sign since it's very difficult or impossible to modify an L to have climate controls.

Here's a pic of LS climate controls

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jewelberry

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 28, 2002

CD Chanager on legend

Thank you very much for the informative reply, WhiteLegend.

My Climate control looks exactly like the one on you picture so it must be an LS model, but where is the control for Driver seat heating?

Back to the CD Changer...
OK, I found in the power antena area what looks to be a prewiring for the cd changer, so I believe you are correct that all bose head unit from 91-95 can attach a fatory changer (Its a relief to know that I won't have to change my head unit).

What I forgot to mention in my original post was that my brother, the previous owner, who isn't very electronically knowledged, had installed an RF modulated CD Changer, probably thinking that the head unit cannot establish a direct connection to the changer. I was looking for the factory changer unit because I don't like the cluttered look (and out of sync color) of the controller dangling around under the ash tray and the controller will work only half of the time.

Fortunately though, if my head unit can have a direct connection as you stated, I think I can use the currently installed rf changer (use the changer unit only) because it is an Alpine CHM 601, which I believe can be used with the factory bose unit if I purchase an adaptor cable for it - am I right on this? If correct it sure would save me a bundle!!! Which cable adaptor am I suppose to get? Once again, much thanks.

'91 Black Legend

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WhiteLegend

· #4 · May 28, 2002

I don't remember what exact models alpine changer fits the G2 headunit. All I know is that the changer must use a M-bus cable, because that's the only one that the stock Headunit will accept.

Actually I doubt your changer is a M-bus since you said it's a RF modulated changer, usually they are either M-bus, Ai-net or RF. I don't think they can be both.

If you buy a used Legend changer, the installation is really simple, plug and play.
If you get a M-bus alpine changer, an adapter is required.
That's all I know, I'm sure other members of the forum can elaborate further.

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jewelberry

Discussion Starter · #5 · May 30, 2002

Changer Problem Solved

Even though the alpine changer in the car is using an rf modulator, the changer itself is an m-bus changer and I knew that all CHM models are compatible with many factory head units (Acura, Mercedes,etc) - mine being a CHM 601. Got some interface info from other forum threads - saw them online for 19.99. Didn't want to wait for delivery so paid 10 more dollars at a local Goodguys - Works just fine!!! Now I just gotta take the rf modulator and controller out of my dash - what hassle.
Thanks again for your help - what could have been an ignorant $200 replacement turned out to be a $30 dollar plug-in.

Still wondering where the seat heater switch is though.
Ever had problems with the front speakers in your Legend (mine is totally dead) I had taken the front speakers out and tried swapping the speakers to the opposite sides but still no sign of life. When I tried connecting them to the rear however, sound does come out (but extremely distorted -maybe due to incorrect x-over), so I don't really think the speakers themselves is the problem. I also checked the back of the head unit for any plugs that may have come off - everything seems to be in place. Are there any simple way I can test the integrity of the speaker wires and the amp?
After the paint job next week, I think this old thing may look much better than my other car (95 Lexus ES300) and just might decide not to sell after all.

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91LSMAN

· #6 · May 30, 2002

Still wondering where the seat heater switch is though.

In 91 there were no heated seats. I have a 91 LS (I bet you could have guessed that) and I do not have heated seats.

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simgarcha

· #7 · May 30, 2002

Your 91' Legend LS doesn't have heated seats? Mine does......well maybe because I live in Canada or something.

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WhiteLegend

· #8 · May 30, 2002

Re: Changer Problem Solved

jewelberry said:
Even though the alpine changer in the car is using an rf modulator, the changer itself is an m-bus changer and I knew that all CHM models are compatible with many factory head units (Acura, Mercedes,etc) - mine being a CHM 601. Got some interface info from other forum threads - saw them online for 19.99. Didn't want to wait for delivery so paid 10 more dollars at a local Goodguys - Works just fine!!! Now I just gotta take the rf modulator and controller out of my dash - what hassle.
Thanks again for your help - what could have been an ignorant $200 replacement turned out to be a $30 dollar plug-in.

Still wondering where the seat heater switch is though.
Ever had problems with the front speakers in your Legend (mine is totally dead) I had taken the front speakers out and tried swapping the speakers to the opposite sides but still no sign of life. When I tried connecting them to the rear however, sound does come out (but extremely distorted -maybe due to incorrect x-over), so I don't really think the speakers themselves is the problem. I also checked the back of the head unit for any plugs that may have come off - everything seems to be in place. Are there any simple way I can test the integrity of the speaker wires and the amp?
After the paint job next week, I think this old thing may look much better than my other car (95 Lexus ES300) and just might decide not to sell after all.

I think your amp might be blown, the earlier LS amps all had problems. I know you already went and got the recall thing done at the dealer, but the recalled only replaced one small circuit board on the amp, not the whole thing. I think one of your front channels on your amp is blown, it's a common thing with legend amps.

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ChrisK

· #9 · May 30, 2002

simgarcha said:
Your 91' Legend LS doesn't have heated seats? Mine does......well maybe because I live in Canada or something.

Exactly, the USDM Legends did not get the heated seats until 1992. Don't ask me why, as like you said, Canada has them and it really shouldn't have been that hard to put them in the US bound Legends, but that's the way it was.

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