Kenwood DDX7015 Screen tilt problem

[Longboarder]

I have a Kenwood DDX7015 double din touch screen in my dash. You can configure it to tilt to one of several positions when powered up (it returns to the flush position when powered off). I have been chasing a problem for over a year now: Intermittently, when I turn my truck on, the screen will not tilt. No matter what tilt position I select, it stays in the flush position. If I turn the truck off and then start it again, it usually starts working again (i.e. it goes to my selected tilt position). This happens very intermittently. I have brought it back to the shop (who I bought it from and who installed it) several times and one time they even sent the unit in to Kenwood with a DVD video I recorded showing the problem. Kenwood returned the unit saying they could not duplicate the problem and even though I had video proof, they refused to replace the unit. At one point, Kenwood suggested that I disconnect the aftermarket steering wheel audio controls which we did and the problem still happened - not sure why they thought that would cause a problem. I finally got the shop to replace the unit with their display unit (same model) that they have on their wall for customers to check out and today it did the same problem. I am completely baffled! Has anyone else encountered anything like this???

[Merlinium]

To me this sounds like an electrical voltage problem/quirk, the unit is not receiving the correct signal to tell it to activate, and thus will not activate properly until a system reset (ie restarting the vehicle), I have seen similar things in other electronic type motor activated units, the only thing you can tcheck is to pay attention to how the vehicle starts, to see if you are doing something inadvertantly while starting the vehicle, ie passing acc in a quick twisting motion during startup etc. A possible solution would be to turn the key partway to acc then start the vehicle. This is just a probability mind you, there may also just be a quirk with the unit itself

[drtechop]

I have the jbl toyota made voice recognition dvd navigation with the 10 speaker amplifier or the 6 speaker amplifier. As well as the navigation/dvd unit all in excellent condition. Am willing to possibly trade if your interested? hit me back 858-231-9420 or drtechop@gmail.com

Thx.

[gadgeteer]

Hi I also had some problem installing my gadgets in my car but a friend of mine referred me to a great tech support site that can help you with your problems. They also have live chat support that you can use for free.

Here is the page for Kenwood Car Video Players Support

Good luck

Gary

[Longboarder]

Just a follow up to this story. The problem never went away and even happened when the local insaller lent me their demo DDX7015. Although that sounds like it eliminates the unit, it still could be a design problem. Regardless, I still have the problem because the installer won't do anything about it since they say that don't know what to do.

Even though it is probably not the Kenwood unit, I probably won't buy Kenwood again given their refusal to let me try a different unit (the local installer is the one that had to lend me their demo unit) given that I have had two Tundras which both had top of the line Kenwood components. I'm starting to look more and more at how companies treat their customers after they purchase products/services before selecting products/services. In this case, I was disappointed with both Kenwood and the installer and probably won't use either again.

Over and out...

[christophertowle]

Hey Longboarder,

I have the same unit and share the same experience. It happens very intermittently and I cannot pinpoint any action that happens immediately preceding the face not coming down. My solution is that I eject the in-dash screen and it comes back at the tilt setting that I have programmed.

My wish is that they would have an option to leave the head unit with the face in the "tilted" position when the car is off. I think the closing/opening/closing cycle on those motors is simply eating away at the useful life for no reason!

I am looking for an excuse to upgrade to a 7019 anyways...

[Ragin Cajun]

I have the 7019 in my tundra with zero tilt problems. It always returns to where I have it set.

[jsanborn]

I’ve had the DNX7100 for a couple of months and until now I’ve been quite happy with it. I put a new yellow top battery in my ride and it doinked the Kenwood. There were no issues with the battery, pluck the old, drop in the new. The tilt control went haywire. From the tilt control screen it appears to be stuck at position -1 although the screen parks at zero. When the unit is powered off it does its little homing routine. The eject button will open the screen to the CD access position, but there it stays unless the unit is powered off. I believe this to be a software issue as the screen motor operates in both directions and is able to position itself. I’ve seen similar comments on other discussion threads, all of which were warranty claims. I bought the thing on E-Bay so warranty is NOT. Kenwood support says “send it in for repair”. I can’t believe that I wouldn’t be able to re-flash this thing in some way. Suggestions?

[Fix'n up]

I’ve had the DNX7100 for a couple of months and until now I’ve been quite happy with it. I put a new yellow top battery in my ride and it doinked the Kenwood. There were no issues with the battery, pluck the old, drop in the new. The tilt control went haywire. From the tilt control screen it appears to be stuck at position -1 although the screen parks at zero. When the unit is powered off it does its little homing routine. The eject button will open the screen to the CD access position, but there it stays unless the unit is powered off. I believe this to be a software issue as the screen motor operates in both directions and is able to position itself. I’ve seen similar comments on other discussion threads, all of which were warranty claims. I bought the thing on E-Bay so warranty is NOT. Kenwood support says “send it in for repair”. I can’t believe that I wouldn’t be able to re-flash this thing in some way. Suggestions?

I have just installed the Dnx7100 in my tundra and haveing the same problem at you jsanborn. Will open up for a cd/dvd but will not close back up. I have gone to the tilt screen and have no flip control. Let me know if you get problem resolved.

[stevenpph]

PROBLEM SOLVED!!!

I just installed a new 7019 in my car and it powered up with the same permanent tilt problem as Fix'n up and jsanborn. I found the fix here: Screen tilt control problem - FixYa

Here's a condensed version:
With the unit on and the screen tilted out, disconnect power to the unit. Now with your hand push the screen half-closed. It'll be stiff but you can move it without any problem. Connect power and turn it on. It should retract the screen and now tilt normally.

[dslay24@aim.com]

I have same problem onmy dnx7100 opens and will not close until like 30 secs after truck is turned off. I amgoing to try the previous suggestion. Ill post back and confirm whether it worked or not.

[dslay24@aim.com]

Yes opening the unit with the eject button then manually closing the unit halfwaly, and disconecting the battery for like 30 secs cured my issue as well. Thanks

[mick_foley]

My DNX7100 is having tilt problems but it is worse than anything you guys describe. It acts as though it is completely confused about tilting. When I start the car, it tilts to a random spot. When I stop the car, it tilts to a random spot. When I go to the tilt menu, to play around with the settings it does what it wants to do. If I press 2, it might change the setting to 5 itself but actually tilt into the -1 position.........if that makes any sense. Kenwood wants me to send it in for repair and I'm not surprised. Those so-called tech guys are clueless. It was an ebay purchase so my chance of getting warranty work is slim. Looks like I might have taken a chance and lost this time. lol. Any suggestions for a fix or cause?

[dslay24@aim.com]

yea i would just try the previous fix kenwood techs are clueless and claimed they never heard of our problem and apparently it is very common. so yea i ould try that

[mick_foley]

I ended up sending it in to Kenwood for repairs. The seller was very helpful so let's just say that I got it fixed for free excluding shipping. Haven't powered it up yet but it's supposed to be fixed.