Stereo Head Unit Replacement

[RoverHse]

My steer head unit display has faded away and all sound has stopped, except for an occasional speaker pop if left on.

I've heard/ read lots of posts about the indoor amps creating a straight replacement challenge, and resistor set ups that need to be added into the speaker wiring.

I popped into a local reputable stereo installer to enquie about options. Their reference manual shows a Alpine unit as a straight replacement for '97 onwards P38, but of course mine is a '96. The picture of the head unit looks the same, but i'm sceptical. I've also seen wiring harnesses advertised to solve the issues, but they're advertised at about £ 50?

Is it possible that the new unit will be plug and play, or should I just opt for a new replacement system - head unit and speakers?

[Johnnyboynz]

I used this item from Nexxa :

Range Rover P38 Radio Harmon Kardon | Nexxia UK (http://www.nexxia.co.uk/products.asp's=Car%20Audio%20Technical&c=Range%20Rover%20P38%20Radio%20Harmon%20Kardon)

Worked perfectly and is certainly plug and play, very fast delivery too, well worth it IMHO.
It would pay to contact them with the exact details of your head unit to identify you're buying the right one though.

I also installed an Axxess ASWC universal steering control interface, also plug and play, AND you can program the buttons to do what you want on the new head unit, like i moved my volume control to the left and the seek to the right instead of the factory setup.

Axxess ASWC - Wavetech Online Store (http://www.wavetech.co.nz/Axxess-ASWC.html)

I haven't replaced any speakers at all and the sound is a hell of a lot better than the old head unit, plus i ditched the 6 stack CD player as the new headunit had USB / mem card input etc.

[TheTree]

Hi,

Unless you are confident with a soldering iron, the nexia interface seems the way for you to go.

It seems you may have the Clarion head unit, can you post a pic of your unit?

Steve

[p38arover]

Hopefully, the new Nexxia interface for the Clarion is a significant improvement over the original which, as I found when I bought it, could not have worked and did not work.

If you read my thread here: http://www.aulro.com/afvb/p38a-range-rover/132209-nexxia-radio-fitting-kits-p38a.html (especially page 4)
you will see why and how I had to modify their design to get it to work.

[Johnnyboynz]

I purchased the Nexxia interface maybe 4 months back, I've had no issues with it what so ever.

[p38arover]

I purchased the Nexxia interface maybe 4 months back, I've had no issues with it what so ever.

Which interface?

Which radio, Clarion or Alpine?

[Johnnyboynz]

yea, that's probably useful info to some folks...

In a NZ new 1995 P38 HSE , I replaced the Clarion PU9836A (and CD changer) with a Clarion FZ709A.
I used :
1 X H2L-RR, 10 Way Pink Range Rover P38 Harmon Kardon Interface
1 X FP-21-00, Range Rover P38 Fascia Adaptor
1 X PC5-27, Antenna Adaptor DIN to ISO PC5-27

All plug and play, no issues what so ever as i stated before.

The Axxess ASWC needed to be wired to 12 volts + & -, that's all. Then programmed to suit the head unit in question.

[finallyrangie]

I sent my head unit back to clarion for a service, they replaced the screen, fixed all the problems and added a new aux connector so I can plug in an mp3 player or whatever, still works with the steering wheel controls and sounds good.

Depending what you are looking for it may be an option to just fix the old one.

[Keithy P38]

Clarion are the older ones yeah? I wonder if you were to send an alpine one off, would they do the same thing??

[finallyrangie]

Clarion are the older ones yeah? I wonder if you were to send an alpine one off, would they do the same thing??

Clarion are the older ones Yes, I don't know if alpine offer the same service but it's got to be worth a phone call or email to find out.


Good luck and let us know what you find out

[RoverHse]

It seems the H2L-RR is the improvement on the PC3-09 cable that was reported as problematic, and at twice the price!

For about $50 + postage Clarion in Victoria will inspect and quote a repair of the unit.

Under current legislation a new head unit with with hands free phone capability is an attractive option and improvement, and probably worth the cost of the cables...... If they work.

[DANMAL]

anyone know if you can still get those adapters for the fascia and where from, my head unit still works great but i think i might go down the after market path as i want to start updating the interior a bit..
cheers
Sam

[TheTree]

HI

Check my thread here for sources for bit and pieces, I have fitted the adaptors and will take a pic once I get my beast back

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/p38a-range-rover/189588-aftermarket-head-uit.html

I notice Aeropro listed P38 adaptors as well, but I am not sure if they are available anywhere

Steve