Harmon / Kardon head unit replacement - definitive 'how-to' and adaptor harnesses

Offroverp38 said:

Hello just been reading and had same problem with my clarion hu in my 1999 p38 dse , it kept buzzing I would hit it and it would sort it out for a bit , now all I get is buzzing all the time and I don't think a hammer would help...... Thinking of putting an after market hu in and one of those leads sounds like what I will be needing . If someone could help that would be great

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PM me an email address and I'll send you a guide to DIY... or I can make one up for you.

First thing to try, though, would be to pull your unit out and make sure the plugs are in securely and making full contact. You'll get the buzz just by powering up the system with the speaker plug (pink one on Clarion) removed!

Why not get the original repaired and have the iPod lead added for a tener?

Davie B said:

Why not get the original repaired and have the iPod lead added for a tener?

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because the original doesn't have bluetooth streaming and bluetooth phone

Davie B said:

Why not get the original repaired and have the iPod lead added for a tener?

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'Cos the original HU is crap.

Why is it crap? It was designed in 1993 and range rover had a huge input to specification. Of course at the time the average rr user was not into bass bins etc, so I think most would agree the standard set up is pretty good.

Tech moves on, I'd be suprised if you are still watching a telly from 1993. Isn't the RF issue a case in point ? WiFi wasn't considered an issue then. The set-up is awesome, the head unit can be changed to provide bluetooth and ipod connectivity and new head units are not as stupidly expensive as they once were.

Davie B said:

Why is it crap? It was designed in 1993

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I think you answered your own question there...

Davie B said:

range rover had a huge input to specification

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And that should also be a clue...

The amps and speakers are great... not many setups use balanced, ultra-low-noise high gain amps like these, but crap in = crap out. It's not that it's crap per se... just 20 years out of date.

What's recommended as a decent after-market head unit then? I'd open a poll thread but first need some options!

I'm replacing with Alpine in place of an '00 Alpine

Well i'm using a Sony MEX-BT3600U Bluetooth/CD car stereo.
Wonderful sound quality compared to the old Kenwood cd unit that was in there.
And for me the best bit is the moment i get in the rangey,the bluetooth detects my iphone in my pocket and is locked onto the music stored on it.
And theres about 2 solid days worth on there at present
Will work with any bluetooth device,and makes your phone hands free to

rasheed said:

What's recommended as a decent after-market head unit then? I'd open a poll thread but first need some options!

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You can't go wrong with Rockford Fosgate - some of the best kit on the market IMO.

The general 'mass market' players are much of a muchness really, which is why I tend NOT to recommend ANY product by Sony - more expensive than the crowd, but tend not to be any better.

I have a Dual (brand) HU that I brought back with me from the US, and aside from the irritating frequency split on the radio side that means you can't pick up half the radio stations in Europe, it's a great unit.

In this day and age, I'd say Bluetooth capability is a must - it will link up with all phones and most portable media players. Rest of it is a case of 'pays yer money and takes yer choice', although I wouldnt recommend trying to link up a cheap Aldi-brand £20 special to a P38 H/K system!

I tried 2 headunits on my Clarion HK install.

-Clarion CZ501E
-Alpine 134 BT

Although the Alpine is 25% more expensive, it has won.
-much more settings allows complete control on the system
-no whine, hisses or whatever as with the Clarion
-green illumination
-design of the buttons that looks it was made for the P38

Hello Clarky

New to the forum; but have seen this! and for a complete dunderhead can it be so easy?

I have the Alpine unit and have wanted to replace the HU for some time. You seem to have cracked the market. I took one look at the back of the unit and put it right back

Can you help??

Burton said:

Hello Clarky

New to the forum; but have seen this! and for a complete dunderhead can it be so easy?

I have the Alpine unit and have wanted to replace the HU for some time. You seem to have cracked the market. I took one look at the back of the unit and put it right back

Can you help??

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Sure can - PM me your email address and I will send you my guide. If you don't fancy tackling the soldering (it really is quite simple) I can supply you with a lead that will literally plug 'n play on a new aftermarket head unit. Details via PM if that what you would rather.

Gents, in order to make life easier I have uploaded the guide to my SkyDrive. No more need for email addresses, either PM me for the link or request it in the thread and I will PM to you.

v8p38 said:

Sorry Guys, slight hijack here, but does anyone know how to get the steering controls working?
My P38 never had the controls so I replaced the steering wheel, but all that works is the up/down for channels.
No volume or mode buttons work.

Once again, Sorry but just thought someone might know

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Car Selector

found this for steering wheel controls. don't know if it is valid or not.

sas1810 said:

Car Selector

found this for steering wheel controls. don't know if it is valid or not.

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Yes, that's the kit I was looking at, the PAC-SWI stuff - you need the programmable interface, then the one for your specific HU. Alot to spend just to avoid reaching to your left a little, IMHO.

hey clarky its clarkie
any chance of that linky for your leads,just fitted a jvc head unit and a jvc ipod link cable works a treat with ipod touch and iphone 3gs,but dont think the sub is working,
hk/alpine unit was fitted.
cheers mate

clarkie said:

hey clarky its clarkie
any chance of that linky for your leads,just fitted a jvc head unit and a jvc ipod link cable works a treat with ipod touch and iphone 3gs,but dont think the sub is working,
hk/alpine unit was fitted.
cheers mate

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PM'd

Hi All
I went to visit Clarky 130 today so that he could re wire my butchered stereo, I can't tell you how knowledgable this guy is with Range Rover stereo's, it was a horrible 3 hour drive there, but after Clarky had worked his magic its was a fantastic 3 hour drive home with a sound system to die for.
I really can't recommend this man enough, what a fantastic bit of kit he has developed.
Clarky thank you so much
Andy:5bhurray: