Hi all,
im back to the Jag family after recently purchasing a 97 VDP from an original owner. Low miles. The car is a BEAUTY!
BUT!.... as can be expected, the speakers are nearly shot and the radio works but no longer lights up.

ive done radio swaps in my prior VDPs but want some opinions on what you’d recommend for a radio replacement. Should I find a remanufactured OEM unit? Or is there aftermarket ones that match the interior style? I don’t want an ugly modern head unit ruining the flow of the interior decor!

thanks in advance!
E

 

Check that the dimmer isn’t on minimum as that turns the radio lights off.
If it’s only the lights then there was a thread that talked about just swapping a resister within the radio, so it’s not dead yet!

 

You can get your own original unit remanufactured, at a considerable cost. Or you can at least try the lighting repair. Or you can move into the 21st century!

I've been "motivated" to replace the head unit recently. So far I haven't, but after replacing the CD player early this year, my panel illumination went out. I did some shopping. There are millions of options. I narrowed it down to about 3.

I was looking at a Sony MEX-... unit at around $150 on the Crutch. It has a CD player, remote, blue tooth, sat radio capable and fully adjustable color lighting. It is also a fairly un-cluttered design, with a satin black finish which I think would match pretty well. Checked all the boxes for me.

Congratulations on returning to the Jag family! Such a beautiful family.

 

I had a burned out bulb on mine years ago and I replaced it with a small bulb from a hobby shop designed for model trains. Usually called grain of wheat bulbs. I had to open up the radio and unsolder the bulb from the circuit board, then solder on the new bulb.

I've not had to fix door speakers, but I did have the subwoofer on the parcel shelf go bad. The plastic ring that holds the voice cone in place had become separated, and again model plastic glue fixed it. The hobby shop can be a useful place to get Jag repair supplies!

 

Look up Continental radios. They look fantastic. Porsche crowd loves them.

​​​​​​https://www.continental-automotive.c...-USB-Bluetooth

 

I’ve heard of ( and subsequently forgot) these!!! I was waiting for someone to suggest!

thanks a ton!

And the other recommendations above are also splendid ! Love the hobby shop recommendations. Thank you!! I am so glad to be back.
There’s NOTHING like a British car!!