1994 RRC Original Stereo Equipment

Hi Folks,

Original stereo has been dead since I bought Rover and there doesn't appear to be any power to the amp & multi cd changer in the boot.

Before I try and figure out what if anything works etc and maybe get the stereo repaired, is it worth the effort? or would I be better off just installing the Alpine system I have spare and splicing into the speaker wires in the boot.

Not having heard the system I've nothing to compare it with, but I assume it was fairly decent when first fitted.

Anyone still have the original system in working order who could advise please.

Cheers

Andy

I bought a 4.2 LSE as a project, the stereo was dead but I took out the head unit and inspected the plugs on the back and found corrosion and a broken wire. A small repair and it was back to full working order.

Suggest you carefully remove head unit and check the multi-plugs on the back then check wiring/connectors to the amp. Look for evidence of corrosion and brittle insulation. Also check all earth points, good clean earth is important.

Clarion in Swindon do a good refurb service for their products.
I think people have said that splicing other things into the exisitng system can be a bit of a PITA if you're not sure what you are doing.
Certainly check the connections with rave and see what you can find.

Checked that live & earth are ok and temporarily wired up a speaker to the Alpine and all is ok. As to the rest not a clue at the moment.
Clarion charge £100 for a re-furb unit and it would only be worth it if I was sure the rest of the kit is good and sounds ok.
Had a look on Rave for the wiring info and it's a bit complicated, going to try and spend some time making sense of it all and see if I can power up the amp and cd changer.
Suggests checking a fuse in the satellite fuse box and I can't even find the damn thing!!.

My original system still works but I took it out as the volume knob had become a little irrational (turning down sometimes turned the volume all the way to 11).

I bought a Parrot as a replacement because it provided all the connectivity I need and because it was the most 'in keeping' looking stereo for the inside rather than have something with blue flashing lights, etc.

There is a gent somewhere in the north (can;t remember name of the top of my head) who specialises in the originals and will service it and add a 2.5 jack input for a ton.

As a point of interest the Parrot fitted in perfectly with no needs for adaption and I have a '94 LSE so would assume the same connects...

What's the sound like though, my question is do I repair an 18 year old system or replace it. I like the idea of a multi changer but I can fit the Alpine for nowt.
Spec wise they are about the same 25w per channel, but I've never had a system with an amp, sub woofer etc.

I'm an expert on very little, but my 19 year old system sounds better than anything I've had in a car. If it's fixable at a reasonable level, then I don't think that you would be disappointed by the quality of the old unit.

Yeah honestly the quality isn't bad at all. Only a little interference at higher levels of noise which is a must on the motorway cruising at 3,000rpm just to crowd out the exhaust!

I personally don't think the parrot with more channels and higher wattage gave much of a difference in quality through the speakers... After all the original was Blaupunkt. Although in fairness the Parrot holds together much better at higher volumes.

You should give up on the cd's and join the rest of the 21st century and chuck everything you have onto MP3. You can carry more with you!

I'm an old git, still got 1 foot in the last century!!
Half way there though, converted everything to mp3 ages ago and then copied them to cd 10 albums at a time:lol:

Wookie said:

Checked that live & earth are ok and temporarily wired up a speaker to the Alpine and all is ok. As to the rest not a clue at the moment.
Clarion charge £100 for a re-furb unit and it would only be worth it if I was sure the rest of the kit is good and sounds ok.
Had a look on Rave for the wiring info and it's a bit complicated, going to try and spend some time making sense of it all and see if I can power up the amp and cd changer.
Suggests checking a fuse in the satellite fuse box and I can't even find the damn thing!!.

Click to expand...

Clarion refurbished my headunit and fitted an Aux-in lead for my iPod, all for £48 delivered..

Mine has still got the original stereo, unfortunatly it hasnt worked since the battery ran out and needs the security code entering.......which i dont have!!!! does anyone know how i can get round this???

New stereo

Gareth Bale owens a RR?

Oooo u deleted that quick ya chicken ****.

Don't know if it would work, but an old trick used to be put the stereo in the freezer for a day, knackers the chip.
Alternatively there are plenty of places around that re-code for a tenner or so.

Given up in my case for now, investigating further sodding speaker cones are rotten in the bottom of the doors. Read other posts about suitable replacements, so intend to re-wire from scratch.

Anybody want the amplifiers, multi cd changer etc?.

MikeV8SE said:

Clarion refurbished my headunit and fitted an Aux-in lead for my iPod, all for £48 delivered..

Click to expand...

I wonder if they still have parts for an '87 radio/cassette unit, I could simply retro-fit a modern radio/cd (although I've read that they don't fit well) but I like originality - do you have a contact for Clarion Mike?

Does anyone know what type of speakers are fitted or how I can tell.
The top door speaker is smaller than the bottom, but I don't know if it's a tweater, mid range etc. Do I need 2 speakers or just 1 good one.

In the long term I intend to have the original head unit etc refurbed, but I need to replace the speakers first.
Tempted to fit Alpine like the head unit I have, but open to suggestions for reasonably priced units. Output of the head unit is the same as the original system 4x25w.

Any advice please, would like to order in the next day or so, once I've run the new speaker wires.

Wookie said:

Don't know if it would work, but an old trick used to be put the stereo in the freezer for a day, knackers the chip.
Alternatively there are plenty of places around that re-code for a tenner or so.

Given up in my case for now, investigating further sodding speaker cones are rotten in the bottom of the doors. Read other posts about suitable replacements, so intend to re-wire from scratch.

Anybody want the amplifiers, multi cd changer etc?.

Click to expand...

I've got a suspected blown amplifier, and my multichanger has decided to hold a magazine of CD's captive and won't play anymore. I really want to keep the car original, so if I could have your working ones I'd be delighted. Do you have a price in mind?

Cheers,

Brian.

Don't know if anything works yet and without a working head unit can't tell.
Need to get things tested.
I've seen amps and CD caddy's for sale on fleabay, but haven't seen a fully working unit advertised.

If the multi-cd changer works I might buy an amp as it was replaced a few years ago, but if I do sell anything in known working order I'll give you first dibs.

norseman said:

I wonder if they still have parts for an '87 radio/cassette unit, I could simply retro-fit a modern radio/cd (although I've read that they don't fit well) but I like originality - do you have a contact for Clarion Mike?

Click to expand...

No-one specific, just contact them through the website mate: Home