Alpine head unit(s), but no sound...HELP!

Ayup chaps! This is my first post on here, so please be gentle...

I've recently taken the plunge and bought myself a 2001 Range Rover P38, the 4.6 Vogue with a multipoint LPG system. Beautiful truck, and runs lovely (after a bit of attention!), but it has a problem in that I can get no sound whatsoever via the stereo.

It also has a problem with the SatNav unit, in that although the unit and screen both power up, it will not recognise the CD that's installed. I've read up on this, and there are views that the sound/SatNav issues might be related, so to eliminate this, I've disconnected the SatNav unit.

Anyway, I've currently got an Alpine XQD101550LNF head unit. This powers up ok, and allows me to change channels/flick between the radio and the CD changer, but it produces no sound whatsoever.

When the truck was having some TLC at my local garage a couple of weeks ago, my auto electrician mate had a look at the setup, and reckons the head unit is at fault as he detected power going to each of the multiple amplifiers on board.

Taking his advice, I bought a replacement unit from FleaBay (another Alpine XQD unit). However, on arrival this appeared to be dead as a doornail as it wouldn't power up, so I couldn't even enter the code. The supplier then sent me a replacement unit (an AMR6284), which had exactly the same issue as the first - apparently no power. However, the seller is adamant that this unit definitely works as it was taken from his wifes' 2001 P38 just before he sent it.

I can't imagine that my own P38 has caused these 'new' units to fail, as my own head unit still powers up.

I've also checked and replaced the 10A fuses in each of the head units, but have had no joy.

My situation is that I've now got 3 head units and still no sound! Gutted or what!?! :doh:

Any advice (other then "beware of FleaBay") would be gratefully accepted!

Cheers folks!

Morning LTLF - you're going to live to regret that username if you stay here long enough.

You need to investigate the main amp in the nearside of the boot. They fail and kill the audio. Also have a look at the wiring up to the head and ensure that a previous owner hasn't left bits of hands-free kit hidden anywhere that's now muting the head output.

A 2001 should only have 1 amp! located behind the sub in the boot. if you have multiple, your guy either doesnt know what he is doing, or he is testing the wrong things.

if you do have multiple amps, thats going to be your problem.

if you have disconnected the sat nav unit, did you wait for it to go off completely or with the ignition on?

if it is the amp at fault, you are going to be looking at around a minimum of £350 second hand. £600+ from a dealer.

mine had the white screen on the nav display and no sounds, took it out and full system working.

It will defo be the amp, which cant be repaired! Replacements are hard to find and expensive. Looks like a new system for you mate

Hey chaps. Thanks for your advice, much appreciated.

Regarding multiple amps, my auto electrician mate was referring to the amplifiers in the doors as well as the box behind the subwoofer. He reckons that there is power going all the way around the circuit, but nothing out of the head unit (hence the purchase from eBay).

Speaking as an absolute beginner in the field of Range Rover electronics, how would I go about testing the main amp myself (or my growing collection of head units, come to that)?

I personally would just wire the head unit straight to the speakers.....

Does it have the HK sound system?

You need an adaptor lead to get this working properly I think?

Clarky130 was a great help for me, and made me up a lead and it all works great.

LeeTrundlesLeftFoot said:

Hey chaps. Thanks for your advice, much appreciated.

Regarding multiple amps, my auto electrician mate was referring to the amplifiers in the doors as well as the box behind the subwoofer. He reckons that there is power going all the way around the circuit, but nothing out of the head unit (hence the purchase from eBay).

Speaking as an absolute beginner in the field of Range Rover electronics, how would I go about testing the main amp myself (or my growing collection of head units, come to that)?

Click to expand...

If yours is after 99, you won't have amps in the doors. As you say you have an alpine head, that is the later system. Only 1 amp in the boot.

sas1810 said:

If yours is after 99, you won't have amps in the doors. As you say you have an alpine head, that is the later system. Only 1 amp in the boot.

Click to expand...

mine is a 2000 hse alpine head, amps in all doors, no amp in boot (except subwoofer.)

eh thts a bit strange? have you piulled the sub out and looked behind it?

Its behind the panel behind the sub. Black box about 6" x 8".

AFAIK, no post 99 had amps in the doors.

Put a picture of your head unit on here if you can.

gazzab79 said:

eh thats a bit strange? have you pulled the sub out and looked behind it?

Click to expand...

i had a really good look when i first bought, having read about all the issues with the dsp amp, but there is nothing back there. the twin sub has its own amp and each of the doors have one. the system is all as original. no aftermarket whatsoever.
the head unit (pic in my profile) has no dsp section when you scroll through the adjustment menu.
refurbished the sub and the autochanger and replaced one of the door amps and now it all sounds like it should.

Right then, looks like my first job of the weekend is to get the subwoofer out to check the amp, and maybe take one of the doorcards off to check for the existence of a door amp! Shall update the thread when I've got some more info.

The truck does indeed have the HK sound system. Thought this would be a guarantee of quality...doh!

Just out of interest, as I mentioned initially my SatNav box isn't working either. When it's connected up, the screen looks fine and there's some activity through the unit in the boot, but the display shows the message 'No CD found' (or something similar) even though the disk IS in the unit.

The only reason I mention this again is because various forums seem to suggest that the radio and SatNav issues are likely to be linked. In your (much) wider Rangey experience, do you chaps think this is the case?

I've also read that the issue could be caused by a fault with the controls on the steering wheel. If that could be a possibility, where the hell do you start when trying to determine the cause!?! :faint2:

LeeTrundlesLeftFoot said:

Right then, looks like my first job of the weekend is to get the subwoofer out to check the amp, and maybe take one of the doorcards off to check for the existence of a door amp! Shall update the thread when I've got some more info.

The truck does indeed have the HK sound system. Thought this would be a guarantee of quality...doh!

Just out of interest, as I mentioned initially my SatNav box isn't working either. When it's connected up, the screen looks fine and there's some activity through the unit in the boot, but the display shows the message 'No CD found' (or something similar) even though the disk IS in the unit.

The only reason I mention this again is because various forums seem to suggest that the radio and SatNav issues are likely to be linked. In your (much) wider Rangey experience, do you chaps think this is the case?

I've also read that the issue could be caused by a fault with the controls on the steering wheel. If that could be a possibility, where the hell do you start when trying to determine the cause!?! :faint2:

Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure that radio and SATNAV will be linked, they are on the L322.
Harmon Kardon is just another silly name invented by marketing people to con folks into thinking they are buying quality, a bit like Apple, Blackberry etc etc. Silly names are the herd attraction of the moment.

LeeTrundlesLeftFoot said:

Right then, looks like my first job of the weekend is to get the subwoofer out to check the amp, and maybe take one of the doorcards off to check for the existence of a door amp! Shall update the thread when I've got some more info.

The truck does indeed have the HK sound system. Thought this would be a guarantee of quality...doh!

Just out of interest, as I mentioned initially my SatNav box isn't working either. When it's connected up, the screen looks fine and there's some activity through the unit in the boot, but the display shows the message 'No CD found' (or something similar) even though the disk IS in the unit.

The only reason I mention this again is because various forums seem to suggest that the radio and SatNav issues are likely to be linked. In your (much) wider Rangey experience, do you chaps think this is the case?

I've also read that the issue could be caused by a fault with the controls on the steering wheel. If that could be a possibility, where the hell do you start when trying to determine the cause!?! :faint2:

Click to expand...

problems with the amp(s) wherever located have been traced to water ingress by others in the past. usually condensation. and in my case a faulty door amp certainly showed traces of this.
the steering wheel buttons on mine still don't work (except cruise) but the sound system is now fully functional (and was worth the effort IMO)
agreed the HK does seem to be little more than a branding exercise.

Latest news...took the rear panel off to get at the amp, expecting to find a sodden mess of electronic gadgetry, and found the subwoofer, the CD changer...but no bloody amp! There's a chunky connector that's just dangling by itself, which, I'm assuming, would be a lot more useful if it was connected to something else - like the missing amp!

God knows what my auto electrician mate was testing when he had a look a few weeks ago...but in fairness, he is 72, and I think my Rangey did frighten him a bit.

So, I guess now it's just a matter of trawling through the various sites to try and get hold of the necessary amp - another couple of hundred quid I could've done without splashing out.

Are there any sites that you chaps would recommend (or more importantly, to avoid)?

LTLF,

Behind the subwoofer and CD player is more trim. The amp is behind that. There should be two chunky connectors that connect to it (or dangling waiting for you!).

I got a replacement DSP amp for £270 delivered from DK Salvage of Peterborough. You could also try Emmotts (they sponsor this forum).

Depends which amp you SHOULD of had fitted. Different types buddy. Yours could end in part number 340. They are like rocking horse ****. Some that end in 110 might work but possibly not the sat nav. I was looking for 6 months trying to find an amp.

Latest update…

…resorted to FleaBay to pick up a replacement XQK100210 amp (wanted the XQK100340, but as I’ve seen so many times on this forum, they’re rarer than a Chelsea fan who likes Rafa Benitez).

Anyway, connected up the amp, and wahey - my Rangey started to sing to me! Very pleased, as this now proves that the head-unit is fine, and that my Auto-Electrician mate is a plank. Now all I need to do is get around to returning the two head-units that I’ve held on to.

I did have a problem with the CD changer though, in that although the box fires up and checks the CDs, it isn’t recognised by the head unit. Having said that, I only tried it quickly with a couple of ‘compilation’ CDs that I’ve burned myself – haven’t tried it with a genuine CD yet. I’ll do that tonight and report back.

Best news of all though is that my Nanocom box arrived today, so the weekend will be taken up playing with that little beauty…God only knows what other little gems that’s going to uncover!

how much did that cost you? thre is one on ebay now for 300 quid! just make sure it doesnt get wet or anything.