P38 Harmon Kardon Amp

Hi,

A newbie here.

I have the common problem of non working sat nav, radio working, but no sound. I know this has been well covered & reading the forums it sounds like it is most likely the Amp.

However, what I am trying to establish is if anyone repairs these, as I can't seem to find anyone, or is it a case of paying out for the very expensive replacement?

Also, any recommendations on auto electricians/car audio guys close to Newark on Trent that are familiar with P38's? I suspect that I will have to replace the amp, so want to get the system checked first to make sure it is nothing else, or there is nothing else wrong before I do.

Cheers

James

Hi James,

Bad news I'm afraid. The DSP amp does not appear to be repairable due to lack of replacement components. Everyone I spoke to about my broken one said as much. You will also find the amp is not available from LR anymore and when it was it cost about £800.

Used ones can go for as much as £550 from a breakers as they are getting hard to find. Also I don't think you'll be able to find an aftermarket amp to replace it with. You probably have 3 choices:

1. Source a good used DSP AMP.
2. Some lower spec amps work I'm told, but you loose the sat nave voice.
3. Replace the head unit, amp and maybe some of the speakers. No sat nav voice again with this option.

Good luck...

Carl.....

Hi Carl,

Thanks a lot for the response. Very much as I expected.

I am looking to keep the car original so it looks like a deep breath & start searching...

Cheers,

James

One further question. In looking at the system further last night, the navigation computer in the boot (Mk3) appears to have no power to it. I.e. no red light coming on, disc not ejecting etc., Should this work even if the Amp is dead, or are they linked and the Amp needs to work for this to power up? Could it be that the Nav Computer is dead and I should try a repair to this first? I have been reading the web link attached and a broken navigation unit describes the faults I am having - radio on, but no sound. Navigation screen won't even turn on. http://www.headunit-repair.co.uk/services/rover/index.html More likely my luck and it will be both... Thanks

My advice, when searching, go global ! I sourced a brand new one for mine a few years back for £35 from the states. My guru reported that the amps where unrepaiable as the chips are sealed onto the boards so you can't remove them

Disconnect the two plugs on the back of the nav unit. If that is the fault your sound should come back.

Great. Thanks. I will give that a try first

Ok. Last night I pulled on the nav computer & the two connectors in the back were already disconnected. No sound from radio. Plugged them back in & system powered up, but white screen of death.

Is this all leadin to the Amp, or should I look to replace the less expensive nav computer first?

Thanks

James

The stereo should work as normal with the sat nav drive disconnected in my experience so could be your amp afterall.

Might be worth seeing what @martyuk thinks. He plays with this sort of thing.

Noticed one on the bay of e for about £420 the other day