QPV weird NIT problem - any ideas?

Harvey_Tim

Harvey_Tim

Member
Messages
212
Hi all,

I have a strange problem with the NIT in my QPV. Basically the sound just keeps dropping in and out regardless of the source, so for example the radio will be working fine for 5 seconds then go quiet then work again for 5 seconds then go quiet etc. same for the CD and any source that is streamed via the parrot Mki9200 that was already installed when i bought the car. The drop outs seems to be in conjunction with activity on the display almost like the unit is glitching and the NIT does not seem to save radio settings such as turning off AF etc.

The seller told me that the radio had started dropping in and out but I thought he just meant a reception issue and on the 200 mile drive home it all worked fine, but the aforementioned symptoms have recently surfaced.
I did a full reset (battery disconnect) and it seemed to fix the problem and everything was fine again until the next day when I started the car and the issue began again.

I also did a firmware update on the parrot just in case, but that made no difference. I am assuming the problem is with the NIT rather than the parrot.

I can hear something in the passenger footwell clicking and giving a light hum whenever the radio drops out, but I have not yet removed the trim to identify what it is.

Does anyone have any ideas about this, is it a known issue?

Also someone said that I may need the NIT software reloaded, again is that something that is doable?

Many thanks for any advice.

Tim
 
spkennyuk

spkennyuk

Member
Messages
5,970
Harvey_Tim said:
Hi all,

I have a strange problem with the NIT in my QPV. Basically the sound just keeps dropping in and out regardless of the source, so for example the radio will be working fine for 5 seconds then go quiet then work again for 5 seconds then go quiet etc. same for the CD and any source that is streamed via the parrot Mki9200 that was already installed when i bought the car. The drop outs seems to be in conjunction with activity on the display almost like the unit is glitching and the NIT does not seem to save radio settings such as turning off AF etc.

The seller told me that the radio had started dropping in and out but I thought he just meant a reception issue and on the 200 mile drive home it all worked fine, but the aforementioned symptoms have recently surfaced.
I did a full reset (battery disconnect) and it seemed to fix the problem and everything was fine again until the next day when I started the car and the issue began again.

I also did a firmware update on the parrot just in case, but that made no difference. I am assuming the problem is with the NIT rather than the parrot.

I can hear something in the passenger footwell clicking and giving a light hum whenever the radio drops out, but I have not yet removed the trim to identify what it is.

Does anyone have any ideas about this, is it a known issue?

Also someone said that I may need the NIT software reloaded, again is that something that is doable?

Many thanks for any advice.

Tim
Click to expand...
The parrot is connected as a pass through and uses its own amp 20 watt from memory. If you disconnect the parrot and connect back to the NIT as it left the factory then it will either prove its the NIT thats the issue or i suspect show its the Parrot amp thats the issue.

The parrot amp / control box is bright blue and about the size of an A5 paper and approx 2cm in height.

You can get a replacement control box on ebay. Also have a full parrot kit in Lancs if your nearby and wanted to test it.
 
Harvey_Tim

Harvey_Tim

Member
Messages
212
Ok thank you. I will investigate further and remove the parrot (once I find it) to determine if it is the cause.

I assume that this is not a common Maserati NIT issue then?

Thanks spkennyuk for the offer of a loan parrot box to test but unfortunately i am nowhere near you as I live on the south coast.
 
Harvey_Tim

Harvey_Tim

Member
Messages
212
Thanks Mowlas for the info.

I have now found where the parrot box has been installed and was able to fully remove power to it however the same problem persists (sound on for 10 seconds then off for 10 seconds then on then off etc. etc.) and there is definitely another module (I.e. not the parrot box) somewhere behind the dash or passenger footwell that is clicking and humming whenever the sound cuts out - but I have yet to locate it. I realise that I’ve not yet put things back to standard but I am now pretty sure it’s not the parrot that is causing this, but once I pluck up the courage to remove the centre console I will disconnect it completely and plug the NIT in as it left the factory - just to be sure.

Although I’ve yet to find anyone reporting the exact same symptoms as mine I have found lots online about the factory amp causing problems (as suggested by Mowlas) can anyone please advise where the amp is located in a 2008 QPV ?

Many thanks,
Tim
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,885
If you removed power from the Parrot, I'm a little surprised you have any sound at all. I'd pull it out completely just to eliminate it

C
 
Harvey_Tim

Harvey_Tim

Member
Messages
212
Whoever installed the parrot had put bullet connectors on the live and ignition power cables so I could disconnect the power from it without unplugging the large connector that has all the speaker lines etc. from the parrot box. With the power removed from parrot I still had the sound cutting in and out every 10 seconds and the corresponding clicking noise was coming from something else not the parrot, however with the large connector removed from the parrot i no longer had any sound but the clicking continued somewhere behind the dashboard.

Note that the clicking stops if I turn off the NIT head unit.

Do you know where the amplifier is in a 2008 QPV ?
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,885
Yeah, the point was that from memory without power the Parrot disconnects the speakers. But memory is fallible.....


C
 
Harvey_Tim

Harvey_Tim

Member
Messages
212
Well all I can say is that power was most definitely removed from the parrot and I still had (intermittent) sound with the corresponding clicking coming from another unit not the parrot.

Can anyone please advise where the amp is located in a 2008 QPV ?
 
mowlas

mowlas

Member
Messages
1,742
I tried looking on the parts diagrams on the Scuderia and Eurospares web sites but could not find where the amplifier is located.

My gut feel is that it is collocated or integrated with the subwoofer in the front passenger footwell, behind the large metal step plate, behind the carpet.

Someone here will know for sure where the amplifier is though!
 
Harvey_Tim

Harvey_Tim

Member
Messages
212
Thanks mowlas, yes I had done the same with those diagrams but I could not work it out either!

The position you suggest certainly tallies with where I am hearing the clicking noise that occurs whenever the sound drops in and out. I am going to try pulling the amplifier fuse (I think it is MF68) and see what happens!

Thank you
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,885
Because the number 17 is over what looks like a wheel arch to me, and the arrow is pointing to the front of the car. I guess it *might* be the NSF wheel but IME there's not a lot of space there.
Could be completely wrong, of course. *Most* of the cars with extra amps tend to have them in the boot though....

C
 
Harvey_Tim

Harvey_Tim

Member
Messages
212
Just an update. I pulled fuse MF68 that feeds the amp and although I no longer had any sound from the speakers I also no longer had any of the clicking noise coming from somewhere in the passenger footwell - not conclusive I know but perhaps this does indeed point to the amp being at fault?

Next steps (unless anyone has any better suggestions?) :

1. Remove centre console / NIT and disconnect Parrot and replug associated wiring back to standard
2. If problem persists (which I suspect it will) then I know 100% for sure it’s not the Parrot so I will dig deeper into the passenger footwell to try and identify what module is clicking.

If in the meantime anyone knows for sure where the amp is located in a 2007/08 QPV (Blaupunkt NIT, Bose speakers and I am assuming Bose amp) then it would be great to know, likewise if anyone has any other suggestions about what else it might be that is clicking in the footwell and causing the sound to drop in and out then I am more than happy to hear from you!

Many thanks,
Tim
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,885
Sounds like a plan.

Not being funny though, isn't there an access panel in the boot liner? 30 seconds to have a look and see if the amp is there?

C
 
Harvey_Tim

Harvey_Tim

Member
Messages
212
CatmanV2 said:
Sounds like a plan.

Not being funny though, isn't there an access panel in the boot liner? 30 seconds to have a look and see if the amp is there?

C
Click to expand...
My car only has an access panel for the offside where the battery and fuse box is housed, there is no access panel on the near side
 
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