1995 XJR factory radio weirdness
 

Yesterday the factory radio controls stopped working. The power button, volume control, mode and station presets don't do anything! So it is stuck on NPR, thankfully at a reasonable volume.

Before I see what happens when I disconnect the battery, anybody have any ideas?

Pretty typical problem with the OEM Alpine manufactured unit.

With mine, one has to press the 'tape eject' button a few times to get the unit to start working again, but it will eventually go into the same mode as yours.

If you do a search on 'radio' you'll find a load of threads on the subject.

It appears that this production run of radios for both the XJ and XK have a very high failure rate, so it must be a manufacturing problem.

Some of the info seems to indicate cold solders on some of the components, which I suspect is the overall issue. Mine seems to come to life after it warms up, which is symptomatic of cold solder joints.

The only fix is replacement with a working OEM, aftermarket, or maybe sending it off for repair, or if you are handy with a soldering iron maybe looking for and finding some poorly soldered joints and repairing.

I plan to try the latter at some point and see what I can find inside.

Al

In colder weather my radio tends to be like that....I keep a cassette handy and push it in to warm up the deck....then continue to use the radio regularly and the problem might go away for long periods. My advice is just use it more and don't tear the dashboard apart...trying to retrofit or repair...you'll just create compromise and new problems...just use all the dials and buttons once you get it working with the cassette and run all buttons and dials numerous times repeatedly as often as you can until you get the flow of electrons understanding what is needed. I do this with all electronic gear and it is a great fix but you gotta be patient....and diligent turning dials and getting it all working...could take a week or a month but as it gradually improves keep running it through its paces...One caution....this idea is based upon the principle theory that "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction". So, don't be reckless and hurry...be patient, use it in a more normal but thorough fashion, volume...all settings...full range of motion and/or parameters in all options...take your time using, tones, balances, faders, positions etc...running the complete unit through its full parameters from start to finish...leaving no parameter unturned, then listen and make it sound good for yourself. Here is a trick,,,use parameter settings that are different than what has been previously programed and use it like that for a day or a week then change them again...in effect you are retraining the electrons after years of neglect to get going again....kinda like chiropractic on your body....try this and let me know...you will get the results you are looking for and also get to know your system real well...It works

Thanks guys. I disconnected/reconnected the battery and it fixed the radio for now!

95 xjr black.....did you have to reprogram security settings after the reconnect? let me know how it works out in the long run too....I know that mine will act up when it gets cold still...

If I recall, none of the North American X300 radios had codes anymore.

No code needed on my 1995 XJR. Next repair is drive shaft carrier bearing. Thank god my friend owns a shop with a lift!

Make sure to carefully mark the exact existing location of the carrier bearing mount!

Cheers
DD

Correct!

Cheers
DD