I’ve been having intermittent issues with my Sony 7000, and it all came to a head yesterday. It has lost various functions of thumb control, didn’t want to select preselect stations, and most glaring, CarPlay wouldn’t come on, or if it did, might not stay on. Did a factory reset before I went to Daytona, and replaced USB connections to the phone, and it worked great for the whole trip. Also updated to v1.13 for what that was worth.

Yesterday, I fire the bike up and the unit comes up almost immediately, no Sony logo or safety warning/OK button, in a color I’ve never seen, no thumb controls, clock says 1:00, radio frequency reads 0.0, no CarPlay, no preselects, and no radio tuning. Volume works only from button on the face, Home button does not.

I wrapped it as others have done to prevent water entry, after making sure it was dry, and haven’t been in the rain since, and have only washed it once, being careful not to test my work.

Called Sony, and surprise, they said it should be covered by warranty. Opened a case file, and am waiting for the old one to come out to get the serial number, and they’ll give me instructions where to send it. Wish Fat Heads were still around, it would be easier through them (I did one early in the program and they sent the new one before you pulled yours to send back.)

Took it to the audio shop that did my RF kit install, having the old one pulled, and another 7000 wrapped and installed. Easiest way to get back up and running in reasonable time. If they honor warranty, I’ll sell the one they send to pay for the new one. Call me dumb SOB if you wish, it worked for my needs at this moment.

Some interesting things they had to say -

​​​​​​- their Sony rep says 7000 was built with HD in mind. Somewhere between concept and execution, waterproof obviously got lost. Hence why I was told at Myrtle Beach 2019 that it was, but some said it was “water resistant” (which we now know isn’t quite true).

- If it shows signs of having been wet, Sony will likely deny warranty coverage.

- Head tech opinion is that wrapping them entirely may create heat issues, leading to what I am seeing. We are leaving some bottom holes open just in case. Water exposure seems to be from front and vent. Here’s hoping (I agreed with the idea, especially with hot summer temps coming here in FL soon.)

Sony said the date for the 3year warranty started 10/2019, my receipt show 11/2019. Will keep posting info as it happens, for the group’s knowledge.

 

That sucks! So this is your second unit replaced for warranty issues?

This is why I didnt pull the trigger on a sony for my 17 when I had the crappy slow booting GT radio.

I LOVE the GTS. I mean it has its quirks and some stuff missing that I wish it had, but its water proof!

Hope you get a good resolution.

 

Sorry to hear its out. Have had a couple with bad screens that were denied do to water intrusion.......even with detachable face plates

 

My first one was 2 months after it got here, wouldn’t power up. It actually ended up being a harness issue. It’s been good, in spite of water, for over 2 years. I’m just surprised the way it’s gone, but I love the unit, how it works, and the CarPlay.

At least I know how (or think I do) to care for it to make it last.

 

I’ve had my 7000 be quirky before also. Still have the original unit. I started looking at the Soundstream as a backup and at Daytona I was told it won’t work on the pre 2014 models. I think it’s because of the Canbus system but trying to confirm that. If anyone has more info please share. Hope Sony gets you the new head unit.

 

hmm, I have had my XAV100 in the bike since 2018.. I have been caught a couple times in the weather but it work as it should.. This will be the 5th season..

Juice

 

Well, I have it out and boxed and paperwork uploaded, waiting for authorization to send it to them.

Some interesting stuff happened with the new one(s).

Shop puts in the new unit, and CarPlay doesn’t work. Tried new cables, connections all good, nothing. Puts in a second one (they says it HAS to be a bad box). That one is intermittent with the lead tech’s iPhone 13, doesn’t work with my 12Mini. He’s burning up the phone line with Sony, they give him a bunch of crap, and CSR plays the middleman between the lead tech and someone at Sony who gives him some good intel, but won’t give out that number to talk direct. I get it back Friday night, it works, til I come out of the restaurant to go home. Get home and put in new connection from USB1 to my phone, and redid the updates on the HU (I had an Apple update come through, so thought just in case…) and it has worked except for one strange moment when audio stopped, but CarPlay stayed on…and showed the song time running. Then works the rest of the time.

I call the shop to let them know, and the owner gets on the line, tells me had 2 guys in today with similar and same issues I was having. Said he ended up putting Alpine in both, can’t do that in bikes because it won’t fit with amp tray. Says he’s gonna get an answer from Sony one way or the other, but is convinced that Sony and Apple aren’t communicating well, between engineers AND the equipment. The shop has gone above and beyond in making it good with me. They do RF, and I’m not their first bike.

Anyway, had a good weekend with the new one, will let you all know after it’s there and I hear back.

 

FWIW I wrapped my 7000 in foil, the type used in HVAC. I did that because I felt that it would radiate heat more so than the plastic wrap that one of the big name audio shops sells. Also, unlike that plastic kit, I left the cable end of my radio open to help evacuate heat, but kept the foil long so prevent water dripping onto the end of the radio or on the cables. I've been through two South Carolina summers without any issues. That is my only form of waterproofing - the face is wide open to the elements and I've ridden in heavy downpours, let the bike sit in a rainstorm a few times, and sprayed it with a hose a couple times (on purpose) when washing the bike with a garden hose. After I installed the foil wrap, I hosed the bike down and then removed the outer fairing - found a good bit of water entering through the fairing vent and along the windscreen. The foil did its job.

DIY Sony HU Water Protection - Harley Davidson Forums (hdforums.com)

 

Wrapped the main body and back of screen housing with vinyl tape where it mounts, and left the back where the cables exit open but left a loose wrap of Water seal tape around it as a shade. Also use a cover over the screen and am careful not to shoot it while cleaning. No watermarks on it when it came out, so no idea for sure what happened.

This time we used what you used, and left the bottom open for venting, figuring water didn’t likely get in that way. Really want to know what Sony is going to do about other issues before I end up lost in corn fields of NC again.

 

In another thread, someone suggested this head unit. It's marine grade and looks like it does what the Sony does. I have no experience with it, but worth checking out.

https://bossaudio.com/product/mrcp96...cid=31k6_nfp16

Here's the thread:

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/audio...ewer-only.html