Radio/stereo doesn’t work!

I have a Sundance 880 series spa and shortly after a cold snap this winter my radio/stereo stopped working. All the lights are ‘off’ on it.

I tried:

1. pressing the BND button and EJ button simultaneously

2. using a rod to press the reset button under the AUX cover.

Nothing worked! What can I do next??

Rob

57 thoughts on “Radio/stereo doesn’t work!”

  1. Sorry for the delay. From your description it sounds like you have the JBL Intellisound system with the USB drive. Normally when all lights are off on the stereo and won’t come on you would test the 2 fuses behind the stereo deck and then check the incoming voltage from the power supply. The fuses are on the yellow and blue wires but always follow the wire schematic and always shut the power off to the spa before separating the power supply wires from the deck wires. To do this you need a multi-meter that checks for continuity and one that also reads DC voltage. Check voltage from the main terminal block to the stereo power supply wires. You should have 230V here. Check voltage from the power supply to the JBL deck. You should be getting 12-15 VDC from the power supply with the power on. If you are not then the power supply is bad. If your fuses are good and your power supply is good you would then depress the BND and Eject button together immediately followed by shutting off the main power to the spa and then depressing the reset button by the USB drive with a rod or paperclip to do the hardware reset. Turn your main power back on. If your power supply and fuses are good and your reset actions don’t correct the stereo not turning on then you have a bad deck. As a sidebar check the area inside the equipment bay and check the integrity of all the wires in this area. Rodents love to make nests in areas like this for the winter to stay warm and may have damaged wires or components relating to the JBL deck. Hope this helps.

  2. Same with my stereo. The subwoofer is the only “speaker” that works. The spa is just over 18 month old and this 1k component is out of warranty. Got power, no rodents & no blown fuses.

  3. Good evening Frank. If you have a Sundance 880 series spa with the JBL Stereo deck try both the soft reset and the hard resets. If that does’nt work would you be able to forward me your email address and a contact phone number? I may be able to help you resolve this but it may require some support via phone or forwarding a pdf to your email. My email is service@aqua-tech.ca

  4. I have a Sundance 880 series spa and shortly after a cold snap this winter the raido and cd works and the speakers and the tub itself has sound but the woofer is not working. Can you tell me why this might be happening.

  5. Will, check the wire and wiring harness from the stereo deck to the sub woofer.

    If your deck and speakers are working then you should have power to the sub. If there is a break in the wire or wiring harness or moisture in the harness this could keep it from working. If the wire and wiring harness is ok then you have a bad sub woofer. Check for proper voltage with a multi-meter on the harness coming from the deck.

  6. Vartan you can purchase fuses at Aqua-Tech. The cost of the stereo deck depends on the model. If you email our parts dept parts@aqua-tech.ca and give them the part number of your stereo deck we can provide a price and availability for you. If all else fails contact our Service Support Desk to book a diagnostic and repair of your Spa stereo.

    1. Ran across your site and support with questions regarding Sundance JBL Intellisound. Well mine like many others is not working, tried the reset as suggested but nothing. Also tested power and it seems to have power, so I removed the deck from the housing. I have a 2010 Optima Serial #100368618 and the Deck says it’s a JBL SUN1, Serial #SUN1AL1156290900304. Thanks for any support you can give.

      1. Greg If you tried the resets and you have power you may have a bad deck. A retrofit kit is available to upgrade from the JBL to a Bluetooth ready deck. If all else fails contact your local Sundance Support Desk for service.

        1. Nigel,

          Thanks for the response. Could you please tell me how much the retro-fit kit is and is it plug and play with my existing hot tub wires?

          1. Greg it all depends on where you purchase it from. Likely purchasing from your local Sundance Spa Support Desk will be the most economical for you. The kit is not plug and play. You will need tools and a little bit of electronic and carpentry saavy.

        2. Nigel. I have the same dead jbl deck. Can you give me the part number or make and model of the Bluetooth upgrade you mention. Thanks

          1. Mike there are 11 parts required for the conversion. If you would like to check on price and availability visit our website http://www.aqua-tech.ca
            Click on parts and accessories then click on the large yellow button check availability. Ask for the JBL to Bluewave conversion kit for Sundance 880 series spas.

  7. I have no power coming into radio fuses are good I checked for power on the blue and yellow and have nothing coming from it looks like the subwoofer where can I look next

  8. This may sound like and odd question, but…..how do you open the black fuse harness. I cannot for the life of me figure it out!

  9. Im looking for speakers for my 880. 3 stopped working 1 week after delivery. Sundance was no help and dealer no longer sells sundance spa.

  10. Ed, contact our Parts Support Desk: parts@aqua-tech.ca

    This is a stock item for them and they will be able to help you out with this inquiry.  Let them know if you have the large pop up Poly Planer speakers or the newer small JBL speakers.  Sending a picture of the speaker would be beneficial.

  11. I just re-opened our spa for the season and everything works fine except for the sound system. The unit turns on and I can change the output but there is no sound from the 2 speakers. Our spa is equipped with the pop up Poly Planer speakers. the system was working fine when we closed it for the winter.
    The local spa guys says it probably the radio that needs to be changed. Before changing the unit I would like to know what to do as far as trouble shooting what else could be causing the issue. any help would be greatly appreciated.

    1. Tom try pointing your remote at either of the speakers. If you don’t see a red light or flickering red light you most likely have a bad speaker or speakers. Also check the wiring underneath each speaker along the wiring harness right back to the deck. You can expose the speaker mounting screws by prying up the plastic escutcheon at each speaker. Remove the screws to pull the speakers away from the spa shell. Check to see that the wires didn’t get wet or corroded. Visit our website if you require replacements: https://support.aqua-tech.ca/ Click on parts and accessories and then click on the yellow button prices and availability. You are looking for p/n 6560-501 if you require new speakers.

  12. Charles Ciuffetelli

    I have the same problem with a 2012 version of the Optima 880. Nothing from the stereo. Can you help me with this ??

    1. Charles what is the serial number of your spa? This can be found on the id label on or near the Sentry Control Box.

        1. Charles disconnect the low voltage DC wires coming from the stereo power supply to the deck. With power on to the spa you should have 12-15VDC coming from the power supply testing with your multimeter. If you have 12-15VDC and the deck won’t turn on you could have a bad stereo deck. If you don’t have 12-15VDC you could have a bad stereo power supply. Let me know if you would like a link to prices and availability on power supply’s and stereo decks for your 2012 880 Series Optima.

  13. Hi
    I have a aquticav aQ-ip-3b-x on a sundance aspen hottub. The speakers a very small ones that a placed around three seats next to the head rests. Only half of the speakers works. That is, one speaker on each of the head rests. What could be causing this? I’ve have checked wiring and fuses.
    We purchased the tub new back around 2012

    1. Dan if your fade controls are set correctly and the wiring to each speaker is ok than you could have some bad speakers.
      Send us the serial number of your spa if you would like us to send you a purchase link to new speakers.

  14. My issue is somewhat different than the others but likely related. I have the smaller JBL Speakers in an Aspen 880 where sub and left channel work fine – nothing from the right

    1. Brad first check all your wiring to your speakers and also check the wiring from the sub to the deck for any breaks. If this all checks out and you have your controls set to the right side you could have some bad speakers and or a bad deck.

  15. Hi – I have a Sundance 880 with the JBL sound system – Bought in 2012/13 – Having a weird issue with the speakers – I’m only getting 1 channel, when I change the fader on the deck to the other side, I get some crackling and very low volume on the speaker but thats it – Wondering if its a bad deck or speakers? Or is there a Pre-amp that might be bad???

  16. I have a J470 Jacuzzi hot tub with a jbl stereo and the buttons are all backwards. The play button acts like the power button and the tuner button acts like th volume button ECT…
    They are all messed up.
    Any idea why

    1. Hi there Jeff. Try the soft reset procedure first and then try the hard reset procedure and see if things improve. If things stay the same you could have a bad deck. Hard reset is cycling the power. Soft reset is using the paperclip in the opening on the front of the deck. There is a Bluetooth retrofit kit available to replace the old JBL decks as the JBL’s are now obsolete. If things don’t work out with your old JBL and your interested send us your email and we can send you a purchase link for the Bluetooth kit.

  17. i have a 2012 majesta. it has the jbl speakers and a aquatic stereo. The only speakers that are working are the two rear and the subwoofer?

    1. Tim first check your balance and fade controls. If this checks out you could try and wire one of the speakers that does work with the harness from a speaker that doesn’t work. This will let you know whether you have some bad speakers or a bad wiring harness.

  18. Any known history of the stereo power supply causing a ground fault? I set up a Bullfrog A7L today and could not get the spa to start ( breaker trips immediately). Troubleshot a bit and figured out that if I disconnect the power supply connector spa runs fine. I tried disconnecting the 12v wires on the output side and spa trips (effectively isolating the power supply). Just wondering if you’ve seen this before I order a new one. Thanks!

    1. Gary I have seen stereo power supply’s trip GFCI’s before. Especially if they are mounted on the base of the spa as alot of the early installs of manufacturers used to do. Power supply could easily get wet.

  19. We have a J-385 Jacuzzi with a Bluewave stéréo system. We have had the spa for 16 months now. Suddendly the 2 speakers from the spa stop working and the 2 others, i van only barely hear any sound, no bass. The woofer works fine.
    Would you know what would be the problem ?

    Thank you for any guidance you may give me!

    1. Hi Anne. Sound like a bad connection to the speakers or some bad speakers. Check the wiring harness first for breaks. If the harness is ok then try some new speakers.

  20. Dennis Czorapinski

    I have a Sundance 2008 Hartford model. I just shut it down to change the water. Upon turning power back on,I do not have any power to stereo. Stereo worked prior to turning off power to change water. The model is an Aqua Tig /AV 4 speaker.Can you help.

    1. Hi Dennis. Check the fuses on the wires harness behind the deck. If they check out ok disconnect the wires coming from your stereo power supply to the deck and use your multimeter to check for 12 to 15 VDC coming from your stereo power supply. If you don’t have 12 to 15 VDC you could have a bad power supply. If you do have 12 to 15 VDC you could have a bad deck.

  21. Hello,
    Stumbled upon this site. I have a Hydropool self clean hottub, approximately 6 years old with a Jensen JMS2212 stereo deck. The tub came with the house upon purchase recently and the stereo doesnt turn on or have any power. I have a friend with one of those meters to check the voltage and just wondering which wires power the stereo that I should be checking. Any other thoughts or checks would be appreciated.

    1. Hi Roland. There usually are 1 or 2 fuses behind the deck inline with the power supply wire that comes from the power supply and goes to the back of the deck. I would pop out these fuses first and check the fuses to see if they are bad. It they check out you would then want to disconnect the power supply wires at the back of the deck that come from the power supply. With the power to the spa on check for 12-15VDC at these wires. If you have 12-15VDC you may have a bad deck. If you don’t have 12-15VDC you may have a bad power supply.

  22. I have a 2007 Cal Spa with a JBL stereo. It has trouble receiving local stations. They are always staticy or do not come in at all. Seems like it is an antenna issue possibly. I replaced a fuse for the wire that says Auto Ant…but no improvement. The stereo works fine if it can receive a station. Any advice would help.

    1. Hi Lance. It likely is an antenna placement issue. You’ll have to place the antenna where it gets best reception. Sometimes the stereos have extension kits that are available if you need more length. You’d have to check with your local Cal spa outlet to see if one is available. Sometimes placing the antenna outside of the cabinet helps. Our spa manufacturer moved away from am/fm because of this issue.

  23. I like every other person was looking for resolution and came upon your site. This past December with winter storm my power was knocked out for more than 3 days. When power was restored I noticed that my Dynasty spa no longer had power going to the In-tune stereo system and the spa’s LED lights wouldn’t come on. I’ve checked the fuses inside the spa pack as well as the stereo wire leads, they are all good. Was wondering if I would be having to replace the power supply boxes for both items? Also what causes this to happen?

    1. Hi Michelle. If the fuses are good and you don’t have correct DC voltage coming from the power supply going to the deck you could have a bad power supply. If the DC voltage is good you could have a bad deck. Could be a coincidence or could be the storm contributed to this.

  24. I have a J400 JBL stereo for my 2011 Jacuzzi 480 hot tub. I have power and visually everything looks fine but no sound from the speakers in radio or bluetooth mode. When I put in a CD I get a faint sound from the sub woofer with the music – but only from the CD. I checked all the fuses and wiring harness connections – all are good. Any ideas on what is wrong? This is the third stereo I have installed in the tub – I wish there was a more reliable unit I could replace it with.

    Thank You

  25. Have a 2005 Sundance Optima and want to upgrade the audio system. It has poly planer MA7020 pop up speakers and a sub woofer in a rectangular box.

    What do you recommend to replace?

    1. Hi Tom. I’ve attached a purchase link for a conversion kit from the JBL to a Bluetooth system. The kit is the same for the Polyplaner. Just a different picture for the link. You will have to change your skirt panel or make your own adapter plate as the Bluetooth kit has a smaller and more vertical footprint on the skirt panel then the polyplaner deck: https://support.aqua-tech.ca/store/index.php/sundance-parts/electronics/sundance-spas-jbl-to-bluewave-stereo-conversion-kit.html

  26. Rene Guillemette

    Bonjour, J’ai un SPA Héritage 2009 et l’an passé le radio ne fonctionnait plus et puis après quelques jours, il s’est remis à fonctionné. Cette semaine , il m’arrive la même chose, est-ce qu’il y a quelque chose à faire ou est-ce que je dois changer la radio ? (Mon SPA est dans un pavillon sur ma galerie)

    1. Bonjour, Si l’alimentation s’arrête complètement sur le pont, vous risquez d’avoir une mauvaise connexion entre l’alimentation et le pont. Si la platine est toujours alimentée et que vous entendez un bruit blanc, l’antenne pourrait présenter un problème.

  27. I have an Aquatic AV (AQ-IP-3B-X) stereo in my hot tub. The two front speakers are working but no sound is coming from the rear speakers. I’ve switch the speakers front to rear. The “working” front speaker doesn’t work in the rear position and the “non-working” rear speaker works perfectly in the front position. I’ve check the balance and fade (both set to the middle). The rear speaker function is set to “on”. Dual zone is “off”. I’ve done a soft reset. Any ideas as to what would cause the two rear speaker to not work?

  28. Hi…I have a 2007 Sundance Optima 880 with the Poly-planar stereo system. Neither the unit nor the speakers light up. It has always worked perfectly. I checked the fuses, and they’re ok. All other functions operate normally on the spa. What’s your best guess? Thanks in advance!

    1. Disconnect the power at the back of the deck and check for 12-15 VDC volts coming from the power supply with your multimeter. If you have 12-15 VDC you have a bad deck, if you don’t have 12-15 VDC you have a bad power supply and or bad connection between the power supply and deck.

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