Boss Audio 636CA User Manual

10R - 021004

MP3-Compatible In-Dash AM/FM Receiver

with Front Panel AUX Input

AMS/

POWER

BUTTON

MP3

MENU

BUTTON

CD

SLOT

PANEL

RELEASE

BUTTON

EJECT

BUTTON

LOCAL

MONO

BUTTON

BUTTON

ENCODER

VOLUME

KNOB

TUNING / SEEK / CD TRACK UP / DOWN BUTTON

TUNING / SEEK /

TRACK / MP3 FILES SEARCH

UP/DOWN BUTTON

BAND / LOUDN ESS / MP3 ENTER BUT TON

BAND/

LOUDNE SS/

MP3

ENTER

BUTTON

POWER BUTTON

MP3/AMS BUTTON

VOLUME UP / DOWN BUTTONS

CD PA USE BUTTON

CD SHUFFLE BUTTON

LOCAL/DX BUTTON

FM STEREO / MONO BUTTON

BUTTON

FUNCTION

SELECT
BUTTON

MODE

PRESET MEMORY BUTTONS

CD

CD

SCAN

PAUS E

BUTTON

BUTTON

(M1-M6)

CD
REPEAT
BUTTON

CD

SHUFFLE

BUTTON

DSP

SCAN

BUTTON

DIRECTORY
UP/ DOWN

DSP BUTTON

MODE BUTTON
DISPLAY/ ID3 TAG INFORMATION BUTTON

FUNCTION SELECT BUTTON

CD SCAN BUTTON
REPEAT BUTTON

PRESET MEMORY BUTTONS
DIRECTORY UP/DOWN BUT TONS
SCAN BUTTON

BUTTON

MUTE

BUTTON

DISPLAY/

ID3 TA G

INFORMATION

BUTTON

REMOTE CONTROL

HANDLING COMPACT DISCS

MOISTURE CONDENSATION

On a rainy day or in a very damp area, moisture may condense on the lenses inside the unit.
Should this occur, the unit will not operate properly. In such a case, remove the disc and wait
for about an hour until the moisture has evaporated.

NOTES ON CDs

1.

A dirty or defective disc
dropouts while playing. To enjoy optimum
sound, handle the disc as follows.
Handle the disc by its edge. To keep the
disc clean, do not touch the surface (P.1).

Do not stick paper or tape on the disc (P.2).

2.

Do not expose the discs to direct sunlight or

3.

heat sources such as hot air-ducts, or leave
them in a car parked in
there can be a considerable rise in
temperature inside the car (P.3).

Before playing, clean the discs with an

4.

optional cleaning cloth. Wipe each disc from
the centre out (P.4).

may cause sound

P. 1

P. 2

direct sunlight where

P. 3

NOTES ON DISCS

If you use the discs explained below, the
sticky residue can cause the CD to stop
spinning and may cause
ruin your discs.

Do not use second-hand or rental CDs that
have a sticky residue on the surface (for
example, from peeled-off stickers or from
ink, or glue leaking from under the
stickers).

There are paste residue.
Ink is sticky (P.5).

Do not use rental CDs with old labels that
are beginning to peel off.

Stickers that are beginning
to peel away, leaving a
sticky residue (P.6).

Do not use your CDs with labels or
stickers attached.

Labels are attached (P.7).

Do Not Use Special Shape CDs

Be sure to use round shape CDs only for
this unit and do not use any special shape
CDs. Use of special shape CDs may
cause the unit to malfunction.(P.8).

malfunction or

*******

*******

*******

P. 5

P. 6

P. 7

****

*******

**************

*******

*******

*******

*******

*******

*******

*******

*******

P. 4

Do not use solvents such as benzine,

5.

thinner,commercially available cleaners, or
antistatic spray intended for analog discs.

P. 8

Be sure to use CDs with disc mark

RECORDABLE REWRITABLE

Only for this unit.

CD-Rs and CD-RWs which have not
undergone finalization processing cannot
be played. (For more information on
finalization processing, refer to the manual
for your CD-R/CD-RW writing software or
CD-R/CD-RW recorder.) Additionally,
depending on the recording status, it may
prove impossible to play certain CDs
record on CD-R or CD-RW.

E - 1

INSTALLATION

Before finally installing the unit, connect the wiring temporarily and make sure it is all
connected up properly and the unit and system work properly.
Use only the parts included with the unit to ensure proper installation. The use of
unauthorized parts can cause malfunctions.
Consult with your nearest dealer if installation
modifications of the vehicle.
Install the unit where it does not get in the driver's way and cannot injure the passenger if
there is a sudden stop, like an emergency stop.I
If installation angle exceeds 30° from horizontal, the unit might not give its
performance.

Avoid installing the unit where it would be subject to high temperature, such as from direct
sunlight, or from hot air, from heater, or where it would be subject to dust dirt or excessive
vibration.
Be sure to remove the front panel before installing the unit.

DIN FRONT/REAR-MOUNT

This unit can be property installed either from “Front” (conventional DIN Front-mount) or
“Rear”(DIN Rear-mount installation, utilizing threaded screw holes at the sides of the unit
chassis). For details, refer to the following illustrated installation methods A and B.

DIN FRONT-MOUNT (Method A)
Installation the unit

1

182

53

1

7

4

2

3

Removing the unit

a

c

Trim Plate Installation:

Push the trim plate against the chassis until it is fitted.
You must do this before you install the front panel, otherwise it can't be attached.

2

3

6

5

b

requires the drilling of holes or other

optimum

30°

RCA LINE OUT JACK(OPTION)

1. Dashboard

2. Holder
After inserting the

half sleeve into the dashboard,
select the appropriate tab according to the
thickness of the dashboard material and bend
them inwards to secure the holder in place.

3. Screw

1. Dashboard

2. Nut (5mm)

3. Spring washer

4. Screw (5x15mm)

5. Screw

6. Support Strap
Be sure to use the support strap to secure the

back of the unit in place. The strap can be bent by
hand to the desired angle.

7. Plain washer

a. Frame
b. Insert fingers into the groove in the front

and pull out to remove the frame. (When re­attaching the frame, point the side with a groove
down wards and attach it.)

c. Insert the levers supplied with the unit into the

grooves at both sides of the unit as shown in
figure until they click. Pulling the levers makes it
possible to remove the unit from the dashboard.

of frame

E - 2

DIN REAR-MOUNT (METHOD B)

Installation using the screw holes on the sides of the unit.
Fastening the unit to the factory radio mounting bracket.

1. Select a position where the screw holes of
the bracket and the screw holes of the main
unit become aligned (are fitted) and tighten

screws at 2 places on each side.

2

4

3

2

5

5

the

2. Screw(must not use more than 6mm length)

3. Factory radio mounting bracket.

4. Dashboard or Console

5. Hook (Remove this part)

Note: the mounting box, outer trim ring,
and half-sleeve are not used for method B
installation.

DETACHABLE CONTROL PANEL (D.C.P.)

Removing The Detachable Control Panel (D.C.P.).

1. Turn the power off

2. Press the D.C.P. release button

PANEL RELEASE
BUTTON

Attaching the DCP

2

A

B

3. Remove the D.C.P.

1. Attach the panel

point B on the main unit touching point A on
the D.C.P. (As shown on the digram).

2. Then press the left side of D.C.P. onto the

main unit until a “click” sound is heard.

at the right side first, with

CAUTION

DO NOT insert the D.C.P from the left side. Doing so may damage it.
The D.C.P can easily be damaged by shocks. After removing it, place it in a protective case
and be careful not to drop it or subject it to strong shocks.
When the release button is pressed and the
cause it to fall. To prevent damage to the D.C.P, always store it in a protective case after
detaching it.
The rear connector that connects the main unit and the D.C.P is an extremely important
part. Be careful not to damage it by pressing

Socket

D.C.P is unlocked, the car's vibrations may

on it with fingernails, pens, screwdrivers, etc.

Note:

If the D.C.P is dirty, wipe off the dirt with soft,
dry cloth only. And use a cotton swab soaked
in isopropyl alcohol to clean the socket on the
back of the D.C.P.

IMPORTANT

These 2 screws are used to prevent damage to the CD
mechanism during transportation Please make sure to
remove the 2 screws before installing the unit into the vehicle.
DO NOT insert a CD into the unit before removing the 2
screws.

E - 3

ELECTRICAL CONNECTION

a. Make sure your car battery is a 12 volt (6 filler caps) negative ground system (if not, a

converter will be necessary).

b. Before starting wiring connections, disconnect the power supply by removing the fuse from

the fuse box.

c. Connect the power wire to one of the extra terminals of the fuse box.

Connect the black ground wire to a metal part of the car. It is important to make good

d.
e. Make other wiring connections as shown.
f. If your car does not have ISO connector, you can procure it from any car accessory shop.

Notes: INCORRECT WIRING OR OPERATION WILL AVOID THE WARRANTY OF THIS UNIT.

(CAR UNIT BACK SIDE)

Fuse Replacement:

To replace the fuse, pull out the blown fuse
from the socket. Insert a new one with same

FUSE

rating.

4. BASIC OPERATIONS

PANEL RELEASE BUTTON

Press this button to remove the

POWER BUT TON

Press this button to turn on or off the power.

DISPLAY BUTTON

Press this button briefly, the LCD will display the clock for about 2 seconds, then return to
previous display mode.
Clock Adjustment
Under clock display mode, press DISP button until the LCD flashes, press Tuning Up Button to
adjust hour and Tuning Down Button to adjust minute.

MODE BUT TON

Press this button to select different mode, sequence as follow:

MODE PRIORITY

A) Tuner mode (Radio)
B) CDP/MP3 (only if a CD or Mp3 disc is inserted)
C) AUX mode (only if this unit is equipped with this feature)

FRONT AUX INPUT

Connect the external signal to the front 3.5mm earphone jack on front panel, then press Mode
button to select Aux mode. Press Mode Button again to cancel Aux Mode and return to
previous mode.

control panel.

FRONT CABINET

LEFT TRACK

RIGHT TRACK

GROUND

contact.

AUX IN

RESET BUT TON

The RESET button is located on the main unit (as shown on the diagram). To press it vertically
with a

ballpoint pen or metal object will activate it. The reset button is to be activated for the

following reasons:

Initial installation of the unit when all wiring is completed.
All the function buttons do not operate.
Error symbol on the display.

Note: If press RESET button, the unit still cannot function normally, please use a cotton
swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol to clean the socket on the back of the control panel.

E - 4

AUDIO OPERATIONS

ENCODER VOLUME KNOB

Turn this knob to adjust desired volume level.

FUNCTION SELECT BUTTON

Press this button to select desired audio function.

ORDER OF FUNCTION:
VOLUME(VOL) -> BASS(BAS) -> TREBLE(TRE) ->BALANCE(BAL) ->FADER(FAD)

While the selected function is displayed, turn Volume Knob to adjust the level within 5 seconds,
otherwise the unit will return to volume adjustment mode.

MUTE BUT TON

Press this button

to mute the sound. Press it again to resume listening.

DSP BUT TON (DIGITAL SOUND PROCESSOR)

Press this button to toggle the following EQ setting:

FLAT->CLASSICS->POP M->ROCK M->DSP OFF

At DSP OFF mode, EQ will be controlled by Bass/Treble setting.

BAND/LOUDNESS BUTTON

Press the Band/Loudness Button long to switch the loudness on or off. When Loudness is on,
display will show 'Loud On' for a few seconds.

SCAN BUT TON

Press this button, the radio will tune up to search stations, the available stations will blinking
and stay on the display for a few

seconds.

LOCAL / DX BUTTON

This control can be used to change between Local and Distant (-DX) tuning mode. Local
mode improves reception in some areas where the signal is too strong.

FM MONO / STEREO BUTTON (MONO)

Use this control to select stereo or monaural reception for FM radio stations. You can
sometimes improve reception of distant stations by selecting mono mode.

RADIO OPERATIONS

BAND/LOUDNESS BUTTON

This a dual function button. Press this button short to change between BAND FM1, FM2, FM3
AM(MW)

DUAL FREQUENCY SWITCH

Unit is defaulted in U.S.A frequency, if EURO frequency is required, a sharp pen is needed to
switch the button on the left side of the chassis to EURO frequency.

bands. Press it long to turn on or off Loudness function.

EU

US

TUNING / SEEK UP AND TUNING / SEEK DOWN BUTTONS

1.Press these buttons briefly will operate AUTO SEARCH tuning mode, the radio will tune up or
down to the next station and remain on the frequency.

2.Press these buttons more than 2 seconds, operate as MANUAL SEARCH buttons, under this
mode the tuning frequency will advance up or down rapidly when the button is pressed. If the
buttons are not pressed within 3 seconds, they will return to auto search mode.

RADIO SIGNAL STRENGTH METER

This is use to indicate the signal strength of current radio station broadcast. When you choose
RADIO mode, it will show on the display.

Best

reception

Worst

reception

E - 5

AUTO MEMORY STORE/PRESET SCAN BUTTON (AMS)

1.PRESET SCAN: Press AMS button briefly enter Preset Scan mode, it will scan all the preset
stations in the memories, you can hear that will stay on each station for about 5 seconds.

2.AUTO MEMORY STORE: Press AMS button long to enter Auto

automatically scan the current band and enter up to 6 strongest stations into the 6 preset
memories. To stop Auto Store & Scan, press the AMS button again.

STATION PRESET BUTTONS (M1-M6)

1.Press these buttons briefly to recall the stored stations in the selected band.

2.Presetting stations
preset. Use Tuning Up/Down to tune in the stations to be preset. Press the Preset button at
which you want to store the station for at least 2 second. The preset number will appear on
the

display accompanied by a beep, this indicate that the station has been stored into

memory.

manually, Press the BAND button to select the band for the station to be

Store mode, this feature will

CD OPERATIONS

CD SLOT

Insert the disc into CD slot. The CD will begin to play.

CD PAUSE BUTTON

Press this button to pause CD play, press again to release pause.

CD SCAN BUTTON

Press this button, the first 10 seconds of each track will be played sequentially until this button is
pressed again,

CD REPEAT BUTTON

Press this button, the current track will be played repeatedly until this button is pressed again.

CD SHUFFLE BUTTON

Press this button to play all tracks on CD in random. Press again to deactivate it.

EJECT BUT TON

Press this
automatically.

TRACK UP AND TRACK DOWN BUTTON

Press the Track Up Button to skip to the next track or previous track. Press the Track Down
button during play will return to the beginning of the current
skip to previous skip. Press and hold Track Up/Down Button to fast forward or fast reverse. CD
player starts when you release the button.

then normal play will resume at the current track.

button to eject the CD from the unit. The receiver will switches to radio mode

track, press it one more time to

E - 6

MP3 OPERATIONS

Notes :

- An MP3 directory is shown in this manual as “Directory”, and an MP3 file is shown as “Track”.

- Maximum length of file name : 28 characters.

- Maximum length of directory : 16 characters.

- Maximum number of tracks per disc : 254.

- Maximum number of directories per

- Sampling Frequencies support : 32KHz, 44 KHz, 48KHz.

- Bit Rates support : 64 - 320KHz including VBR.

- Supports Multi-Session recording.

- Supports CD, CDR and CDRW. (Playback of MP3, CD-R and CD-RW may depend on
recording conditions)

- Disc written by Packet Write (UDF) is not supported.

LOADING CD

Insert the CD as usual, if it is an MP3 CD, the display will show “MP3 T01” then the message
“READING” will appear, when disc scanning completed, the first track on the first directory will
play.

NAVIGATING THROUGH DIRECTORIES AND TRACKS

There are four ways to select your favorite track/directory
(1) By track Number
A) Under MP3 play mode, press MP3 Menu button once, the display shows “MP3 T*”, enter the
desired track number directly, then press MP3 Enter button to confirm. The distribution of the
number are listed as follow:

2

M1

1

M2

Number

Button

B) Turn the Encoder Volume knob to skip the current track.

(2) By directory or Track Name
Under MP3 Play Mode, press MP3 Menu button twice, the display shows “ * “ , enter the name
directly, Press Mp3 Enter button to confirm. The distribution of alphabetical characters are
listed as follow :

Button

Character

M1

A,B,C

M2

D,E,F

M3

G,H,I

M4

J,K,L

If partial directory/Track name is entered, then all directory/Track with matched characters are
displayed, Turn the Encoder Volume knob to go through the list, press MP3 Enter button to
confirm.
If directory name is selected, the display will show “ “,under this condition, Turn the Encoder
Volume knob to select

the tracks under the directory, press MP3 Enter button to confirm.

(3) To select directory first
Under MP3 play mode, press MP3 Menu Button three times, Then the first directory name is
shown.
Turn the Encoder Volume knob to navigate through the directory list, press MP3 Enter button
to select the desired directory. The display will show “ “. Turn the Encoder Volume knob to
select the tracks under the selected directory, press MP3 enter button to confirm when desired
track is found.

(4) Navigating through Directory directly
Press Directory Up(M6) or Directory Down buttons(M5) to skip the current Directory forward or

backward by one position.
In a multi-level directories disc, the movement will take place at the current level until the last
directory is reached.
The next directory down operation will move the position down by one level.

3

M3 M4

M5

M,N,O

disc : 128.

4

5

M5

MODE

M6

P, Q , R

S,T,U

6

M6 SCAN

TUN DN

V, W, X

Y,Z, Space

\\

\\

7

TUN UP

8

DSP

DISP SEL

Move Cursor

_,-,+

0

9

DISP

MUTE

VOL UP/DN

Next/Previous Character

E - 7

ID3 TAG

Press DISPLAY button repeatedly to Display ID3 TAG information.
If the MP3 file is available with ID3 TAG, pressing the display button repeatedly will show
information in the following sequence:
SONG TITLE > ARTIST> ALBUM TITLE
If any of the ID3-TAG information is not available, pressing the DISPLAY button repeatedly will

information in the following sequence:

show
UNKNOWN SONGNAME> UNKNOWN ARTIST> NO ALBUM TITLE
If the MP3 file is without ID3 TAG, pressing the DISPLAY button, & “NO ID3 TAG” will be
displayed.
The file name & track number of the MP3 file will scroll repeatedly through the display during
the playing of the

MP3 file.

E - 8

SPECIFICATIONS

CD PLAYER

System
Usable disc
Sampling frequency
No of quantization bits
Frequency
Number of channels
S/N Ration

RADIO SECTION
FM

Frequency Range

Intermediate Frequency
Usable Sensitivity
Stereo Separation
S/N Ratio

AM (MW)

Frequency Range

Intermediate Frequency
Usable Sensitivity
S/N Ratio

GENERAL

Power Supply
Polarity
Speaker impedance
Power Output

Compact disc audio system
Compact disc, CD-R, CD-RW (AUDIO/MP3 format)

44.1KHz
1bit
5-20,000Hz
2 stereo
70dB

87.5 - 107.9 Mhz

87.5 - 108 Mhz

10.7 MHz
Better than 15dB at S/N 30 dB
25 dB at 1KHz
50 dB

530 - 1710 Khz
522 - 1620 Khz
450KHz
Better than 45dB
40 dB

DC 11 -14V
Negative Ground
4 ohms
50W x 4

REMARK :
Specifications subject to change without notice.

E - 9

TROUBLE SHOOTING

Before going through the check list, check wiring connection. If any of the problems persist after
check list has been made, consult your nearest service dealer.

Symptom

No power

Disc cannot be loaded
or ejected

No sound

The operation keys do
not work

Sound skips.

The radio does not
work.
The radio station
automatic selection
does not work.

ERROR 1

ERROR 2

Cause

The car ignition is not on.

The fuse is blown.

Presence of CD disc inside
the player.

Inserting the disc in reverse
direction.

Compact disc is extremely
dirty or defective disc.

Temperature inside the car is
too high.

Condensation.

Volume is in minimum.

Wiring is not properly
connected.

The built-in microcomputer is
not operating properly due to
noise.

The installation angle is
more than 30 degrees.

The disc is extremely dirt or
defective disc.

The antenna cable is not
connected.

The signals are too weak.

Mechanism Error

Servo Error

Solution

If the power supply is properly connected
to the car accessory terminal, switch the
ignition key to “ACC”

Replace the fuse.

Remove the disc in the player, then put a
new one.

Insert the compact disc with the label
facing upward.

Clean the disc or try to play a new one.

Cool off or until the ambient temperature
returns to normal.

Leave the player to off for an hour or so,
then try again.

Adjust volume to a desired level.

Check wiring connection.

Press the RESET button.
Front panel is not properly fixed into its
place

Adjust the installation angle to less 30
degrees.

Clean the compact disc. Then try to play a
new one.

Insert the antenna cable firmly.

Select a station manually.

Press the reset button if the error code
does not disappear, consult your nearest
sevice dealer.

Press the reset button if the error code
does not disappear, consult your nearest
sevice dealer.

E - 10