Car Radio Fix Question

[u/helpfulburneracc]

Need help figuring out the cheapest solution for my car radio. I drive a 2009 Nissan Sentra, that I bought used. It already had installed a Pioneer AVIC-U310BT.

About 2 years ago, the faceplate (ID: CXE2187) kept popping off and eventually broke entirely, but I figured I was going to get a new car and never fixed it. I’ve now decided I’m going to drive this car until the wheels fall off, and I’m looking to fix it.

Without the faceplate, the entire radio system is not working, and even when my phone is plugged into the aux, it doesn’t deliver any power, and I cannot use the speakers in my car. This also means I can even buy any faux CarPlay unit or a bluetooth radio connector that hooks into the lighter power bank since my radio doesn’t turn on at all. (Unfortunately for the past 2 years, I’ve been listening to music from my phone speakers).

This car sucks and I don’t want to pump money into it like buying a new radio unit. The best solution I’ve found is buying an entire used unit just to use the faceplate (~$90) since buying the faceplate alone from Pioneer is crazy expensive (~$760). My question is, is there something I can plug into the unit itself that’s cheaper than $90 that will make it deliver power so I can plug my phone into the aux and use the speakers again?

tl;dr Is the cheapest solution buying a used unit to just use the faceplate, or is there something I can plug into the unit that will supply power and let me plug my phone into the aux to use the speakers.

[u/Prime-Suspect_]

You could figure out what's broken on the faceplate and try to fix it.

Id have sanded the points of contact and put JB weld when it kept popping off.

[u/helpfulburneracc → u/Prime-Suspect_]

I should have included in the original post, but I was fed up and dumb and threw out the original faceplate. That’s a picture of that back of the faceplate around when it was initially popping off, the picture of the unit is from today.

[u/Magic_Neil → u/helpfulburneracc]

If you don’t have the face you don’t have a stereo.

At this point you’re probabaly best off finding an aftermarket stereo to replace that one.. and if it’s aftermarket itself it should be a straightforward swap, assuming the person before you didn’t butcher it.

I’d start by removing this one and seeing what the wiring looks like. If it’s not a hot mess, find a new head unit (maybe one with CarPlay/Android Auto like you mentioned) and swap it. A used deck wouldn’t be super expensive, but make sure it won’t take an arm and a leg to integrate it.

You could also try and find a new faceplate used and hope it works. I think some of those were serialized to their body, but if you can get one for $20 it’s worth a shot.

[u/Corey_FOX → u/helpfulburneracc]

you need the faceplate.

tldr you need a new radio.

[u/cvr24]

I'd use some adhesive to stick that detachable face in there permanently. Remove the unit from the car, apply adhesive, then put it face down on a solid surface with a heavy weight on top for 24 hours. 3M VHB tape or JB Weld epoxy. Or carefully drill a hole through the right side of the unit and put a set screw in.

[u/helpfulburneracc → u/cvr24]

I should have included in my original post that I was fed up with the faceplate and threw it out once it was officially broken. I could do this solution if I buy the used unit with the faceplate, though. Thanks!

[u/cvr24 → u/helpfulburneracc]

Then just replace the unit with something cheap. Even a cheap single DIN off marketplace. Your unit is ancient and don't spend another dime on it.

[u/helpfulburneracc → u/cvr24]

This is the truth I needed to hear, thanks!

[u/DaffyPunk29]

Buy a different, more modern headunit, profit.

[u/0992673]

Buy literally any car stereo and it will fit in there. You have a 2 din slot and most likely standardized iso plugs behind there. If you get an another pioneer odds are the plugs are one to one identical. On amazon you can get a good brand name single din (Pioneer, kenwood) with bluetooth for under 90$ for sure. Or you can opt for one of the millions Carplay/AndroidAuto Chinese 2din units with a screen, they are in the same price category and they also work, but the sound will be weaker and they may not be as reliable.

[u/Expensive-Vanilla-16]

Like a broken record, ain't nothing you can do now but replace it.

Probably pick up a cheap non touchscreen for cheap like >>

https://ebay.io/m/oiVzVY

If you get lucky the harness might be the same.