Last summer I sent out my HK Advanced Audio system to Iron Cross Audio to have a Headphone Output installed. Since my 09 Road Glide has a 3 position speaker switch Iron Cross didn't need to wire a switch. Iron Cross was extremely fast with the modification and I installed it upon receipt. The mounts looked good so I didn't replace them. With the switch in the forward position I have headphones and center position is the front speakers. The system worked flawlessly all Summer and into the Fall. I rode about 5,000 miles.... Las Vegas, Colorado, Montana and local. The bike sat in the garage for a few Winter months. Last month when I took it out I plugged in my headphones and went for a ride. After a short time the sound intermittently switched back and forth from the headphones to the front speakers and continues to do so. I rarely, if ever, flip the speaker switch and it doesn't appear to be worn out. I contacted Iron Cross Audio who suggested checking the speaker switch and wiring which, I did but nothing seems chaffed or questionable. Of course I can see what's going on inside that $85 speaker switch but visually, it seems OK. I've read several postings regarding the A/B speakers cutting out but nothing involving the headphone modification. I haven't been able to isolate a cause (bumps, turns, etc). It only happens when the bike is in motion. My question is, has anyone else experienced this problem and if so, what was the solution?

 

get you a can of electrical contact cleaner. turn the bike and radio off FIRST. Spray the contact cleaner inside the headphone port and let it set for about 10 minutes to completely dry out. plug your headphones in and go for a ride and see what it does.. might just be a little bit of dust or dirt inside that plug that's causing this. I very rarely hear of the switch itself failing but it's certainly possible.

Have you tried another set of headphones to see if that makes a difference?

 

Yes. I've used a different headset. What puzzles me is that when the headset cuts out the sound come out of the A speakers. There shouldn't be a connection to the external speakers with the speaker switch in the forward position.

 

you're right.. wasn't thinking clearly at 7AM. then that leads me to believe the switch itself is where you're having issues. you can pull that switch out, there are little plastic tabs holding the case of the switch over the internal contacts. spray electrical cleaner inside of it, let it set for a few and put it back together and try..

 

The switch is sealed so spraying contact cleaner on it won't have an effect (or shouldn't). The only real way to eliminate the switch as suspect is to replace it at $85. I'm getting the feeling no one else has experienced this problem. From the sounds of the HK reliability (or lack of), I may be better off going back to an iPod.

 

have you run through the diagnostics on the radio to see if it shows anything there?

 

Yes I have, everything comes up normal.