Thread: Radio not responding. Any ideas?

Which radio? Clarion or Alpine?

The owners handbook in my car tells me what to do to my Clarion. I'd have to go out in the pouring rain to the car to check but I'm sure it's got something to do with pressing the BND switch.

Hi There,

Interesting problem that one. Not sure what has transpired but the radio shouldn't have died altogether.

IIRC the system uses a binary time code on the lock out. That is the first wrong code gets rewarded with a 1min lock out, the next 2min, the next 4min, then 8 min and so on, in ever doubling succession. I don't think this sequence ever resets!

I think the hour timeout is optimistic. The only other time I've heard of that wait it was more like 90+ mins of the unit being on before it would let you re-enter the code.

I also vaguely recall something in the procedure about NOT switching the unit off while it's waiting for the time out. Never been sure about the impact of that but I'm guessing this might explain (at least in part) what you are now seeing on the unit.

Just to clarify though, do you see a screen full of dashes immediately after turning the unit on or does anything else flash up briefly before this happens? Like RANGE ROVER or CODE or even WAIT.

Given that it might just be an extensive time out needed, I'd be inclined to leave the unit on overnight and see if it's waiting with CODE displayed when you check in the morning.

I vaguely remember reading something on a forum somewhere about holding down the BAND key for about four or five seconds and then trying to enter the code again. I was having similar issues with my D2 back in the day. Not all that familiar with the head unit in the P38 but this may also work for you.

If all else fails I am thinking you may have to flog the mechanic and/or the LR numpty who advised the wrong code 'cos it's not sounding too good.

Anyway good luck with it and let us know if any of this makes sense and/or you got it working.

Cheers,
Iain

If the unit in question is the clarion the time delay after three incorrect attempts is one hour, but the unit needs to be powered up for this time, not turned off or disconnected.

Originally Posted by p38arover

Which radio? Clarion or Alpine?

The owners handbook in my car tells me what to do to my Clarion. I'd have to go out in the pouring rain to the car to check but I'm sure it's got something to do with pressing the BND switch.

Yep. It's hold the band button for 3 seconds. Done all that though.

Originally Posted by RangieBit

Hi There,

Interesting problem that one. Not sure what has transpired but the radio shouldn't have died altogether.

IIRC the system uses a binary time code on the lock out. That is the first wrong code gets rewarded with a 1min lock out, the next 2min, the next 4min, then 8 min and so on, in ever doubling succession. I don't think this sequence ever resets!

I think the hour timeout is optimistic. The only other time I've heard of that wait it was more like 90+ mins of the unit being on before it would let you re-enter the code.

I also vaguely recall something in the procedure about NOT switching the unit off while it's waiting for the time out. Never been sure about the impact of that but I'm guessing this might explain (at least in part) what you are now seeing on the unit.

Just to clarify though, do you see a screen full of dashes immediately after turning the unit on or does anything else flash up briefly before this happens? Like RANGE ROVER or CODE or even WAIT.

Given that it might just be an extensive time out needed, I'd be inclined to leave the unit on overnight and see if it's waiting with CODE displayed when you check in the morning.

I vaguely remember reading something on a forum somewhere about holding down the BAND key for about four or five seconds and then trying to enter the code again. I was having similar issues with my D2 back in the day. Not all that familiar with the head unit in the P38 but this may also work for you.

If all else fails I am thinking you may have to flog the mechanic and/or the LR numpty who advised the wrong code 'cos it's not sounding too good.

Anyway good luck with it and let us know if any of this makes sense and/or you got it working.

Cheers,
Iain

My first attempts were at least 8 hours after and following the owners manual to the letter... don't know if the mechanic had turned it off before me though... its showing dashes from turn on with no other messages and no change to that whatever I press. I have tried the hold the band key to reset the time out, but no success.

Also, it is a clarion in a 1995MY