Radio dashboard pixel fade L322. Aftermarket Unit?

Well over the last week the display on the Range Rover has finally faded away. It used to be the clock that was missing a few pixels which I could live with but now it's gone. After looking on this site and Google there are a couple of repair guys able to get these displays working again but I'm tempted to fit an aftermarket system with sat nav and dvd. Has anyone out there fitted such a unit and can it be interfaced to the existing steering wheel controls. To repair the existing unit is going to be £200 + and I still wont have sat nav. Any ideas anyone?
Cheers

I've looked into this.

It is a major job to replace the system with an after-market one because the currebt system is very much an interal part of the car, with the head unit acting as an information centre as well as the radio/cd controller. Also, there are amplifiers all over the place.

My local car audio specialists said they could do it, but it would cost around £200 to £300 on top of the cost of the system.

Another thing to consider is that the exisitng unit is not a standard DIN size, so a bit of fettling will be required to mount a double DIN unit into the hole.

"connormbulger" on Ebay (07870 903552) will repair the head unit for £150. I'm thinking of getting this done, but the thought of taking the dashboard to bits to get it out is giving me the willies!!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RANGE-ROVER-R...S_In_Car_Audio_Players_PP?hash=item2303e92cfb

Good luck!!!

Actually, taking the dashboard apart is not so terribly bad. Pop the L and R side panels off, remove the vents L and R (4 tabs inside must be levered inwards w/small screwdrivers) and the screws that hold the trim pieces become evident. Remove these screws, the cupholder (extra screw that side only) and light switch, and carefully slide the trim pieces off the dash. After that, removing the dash pad screws and pad (pull and lift) is cake. Then you are only 6 vertical screws and 2 plugs + antenna from removing the radio and bringing it in the house. Check RAVE for pics and addtl. details. All in all not more than 1 hr the very first time for those with a smidgen of mechanical aptitude and not more than 10 mins for the experienced.
HTH

Oh and here: Wondering why I'm up this late? PIXEL REPAIR. That's why.
MID is the same.

There aren't amps all over, BTW. That was the P38. Depending on your sound system (Lowline, Highline, or DSP), the amp is either in the cd player (former) or in the LR of the luggage compartment (2 latter). Replacing the head unit is still not that good an idea, though, as you need the MID to do simple things like setting the clock...
And, every aftermarket install I've ever seen has looked really crappy. Even a double-DIN looks too small.

Hi,
After looking into this i have given up the idea of fitting an aftermarket unit, as the previous posts have said the double DIN unit is way too small and it would look awful. Even considered fitting the Vouge unit but whilst they are reasonably easy to source, the additional kit required to make it work makes it unfeasably expensive, I had a quote for £1200.
However on the bright side, found a chap who will repair the existing unit whilst i wait and strip the unit out for £200. He recons it will take about 3 hours. If anyone would like the details, pm me and I will send them on.

Spitfire,

I was hoping to upgrade mine to the Vogue screen system, but, apart from the astronomical cost of the copmponenets,I was advised my my local LR dealer that it is not compatible with the HSE's electronics and would require a completely different wiring loom.

Actually that's not quite true - although you will need the navi wiring harness (loom - sorry I'm American). Pre 06's are basically BMW's, electrics-wise. BMW offered retrofit kits - LR never did.

We'll see. I have all components and hope to begin installing w/in the next couple of weeks. Will report back.

Hi SteveMFr,

I look forward to hearing how you get on.

Likewise - I'm really keen to find out how this goes.

I've got an 03 hse. In the boot there is a bunch of unconnected connectors. My dealer thought this might be the loom for a nav system but wasnt sure.

Anyone know how I could identify how my car is wired?

Hi,this my first post,glad I found site,I also have 2002 4.4 r/rover with radio display pixel fault,I am now going to remove and send for repair,can I still drive this around during repair period,thanks for any help,

Yep, perfectly safe to drive.

You will just have to drive is silence and won't know the time.

We can supply a brand new flat ribbon cable from VDO Germany to repair the Range Rover radio display, we can sell the cable as a kit for DIY fitting, or we can fit the cable. Thanks www.akspeedo.com

I saw a post about this the other day thanking Guy Salom, a Range Rover MAIN DEALER which is in Maidstone, Kent for fixing this problem in his l322 at NO COST, might be worth finding the post and messaging the guy see what they did.

Just a thought

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f10/good-old-guy-salmon-113450.html

Link to guy salmon post

Do NOT try a DIY fix with a ribbon.

Yoy WILL regret it, trust me!

Hi for your info Guy Salmon put new files in the radio and some audio upgrades not sure what just glad its working again !! and up to yet problem free

Guys and Gals,
I have to tell you that i have a real up and coming treat for you all.

Although i do own and run Blackbox, that's just my job, and i am really just a landy loving techno head nut at heart, like so many others, and as such i really like nothing more than modifying and up speccing my own landies and by detailing what i do, hopefully inpiring others to have a go too. Even if not quite to the same degree as me.
By example Here is what i did to my D3
DISCO3.CO.UK - View topic - My D3 Spec Upgrade (very long)

My own 03 L322 also has this annoyingly common MID pixel problem and being someone with more than a little experience and sucess at even micro surgical level electronic repairs, i got some replacement ribbons and had a go. What an absolute waste of time and effort that was. :doh:

Yea i could send it away to one of those offering the service, but frankly i have such faith in my own abilities, i have my doubts or just don't want to dent them (delete as applicable)

I then looked at just buying a new replacement, but i think 1500 quid is just taking the P big style. They dont even offer an exchange option :doh:

That's when i really got the bit between my teeth and took on a new mission to fix this my way. As far as i am concerned LR can shove their obviously crappy made MID unit where the sun don't shine.

I am absolutely going to rip all this BMW based equipment out of my 03 L322 and replace it all with the very latest full on spec infotainment gear, including Front screen, Enhanced Sat Nav with TMC, Bluetooth Phone, Voice activation, Rear reversing cam, Remote Blue tooth Venture Cam, 6 CD changer, 6 disc DVD changer with remote, Rear seat entertainment with Rear head rest mounted screens and wireless head phones, Television, and hopefully also all topped off with Logic 7 Audio. All using OEM parts and as per OEM fit.

And what's more, i am determined to achieve this for less than the cost of a new MID if i can possibly help it. If i can flog off my old bits for enough, it may well come down to finally costing me not much different than it would cost to send my MID away to be fixed.

Naturally all fully documented for you all

If you think i am joking, or that i don't have the requisite ability and knowledge to achieve this, then you are very much mistaken, as someone once told me you could not diagnose a Land Rover without Land Rovers own equipment and that it was impossible to upgrade the Audio on a D3 which BTW uses exactly the same parts as the 05 on L322.

I have researched this very deeply using GTR, Microcat and my own experience, I know exactly what it entails right down to the nuts and bolts and through a lot of dealing, ebay scouring, contacts and good fortune, I have, within budget, already secured almost all the parts i will need, with just a few minor exceptions of possibly some speakers and Antennea Amps, However i am still missing one vital big bit in the form of the Amp unit. I do have some D3 ones including a Logic 7 version i might be able to make do, but would obviously prefer it if i can find a second hand L322 unit if anyone knows to one.

let me know if you are selling your old standerd amp out of the boot mate as mine is shot at

Hi all, we sell pixel repair ribbon cable kit, for speedo £25 - and radio mid £29 display, they do work it's just a case of taking your time and making sure you line the cable pads to the PCB & LCD pads, if you can't manage the job we also have a fitting service, using the same cables as the repair kits, the biggest problem people have in fixing the speedo is they try and take the needles of and damage the needle motors, DO NOT TAKE NEEDLES OFF, thanks. AK Speedo

Hi Guys

I have a front pannel from a 2002 td6 Vogue that has a dead line in it but would be a great fix for some one with a completely dead screen do pm me if you want it for a small consideration.

regards

Tony