Hi everyone - funny story, I was registered here since I bought my XJR in 2018, only to sell it to the same owner back two years later. Turns out, another four years later he still had it and I decided to buy it back. So here I am again.

Back then I plugged in an AUX cable connector between the CD changer and the amp (for those of you who don't know: https://www.discountcarstereo.com/aux-jagr.html). The previous owner then got rid of it, so I did the same thing again this time. Ordered the cable, reconnected everything, but then there were two problems.

1. The right channel is completely gone. I only hear sound on the left. I tried different AUX cables but same result. Radio works fine. That means to me it's either the amp (?) or the AUX cable connector itself.
2. I thought I would reconnect the CD player and try a CD to see if the general setup works when selecting the CD player. Turns out, the CD player always shows error E-01 on the display, and when I go to the trunk to eject the CDs, nothing happens when I press the button.

So now I'm a little stuck. What's going on with the CD player? Did anyone else have that error? I can't really search for the problem here if the CD player doesn't work at all.

I guess I can't check if it's due to the amp or the AUX cable connector if the CD player doesn't work at all.

 

My first X308 came with a broken CD changer, a working one was cheap from a breakers (about £25 in the UK if memory serves). Probably worth doing that first as the description of that cable says it needs a working CD changer.

I didn't know such cables existed so thanks for the link, I'll have to try & find a source for their one that keeps the CD changer working in the UK. Then I could have digital radio off my phone which is about the only thing I miss in the car.

 

I'm surprised it's not that well known - I've seen many threads here in the forum without the Discount Car Stereo being mentioned!

I'll look into replacing the CD changer as a next step. If it's cheap it shouldn't be a problem.

Another thing I did was to order the integrated bluetooth module from DCS: https://www.discountcarstereo.com/bta-jag98.html
It's expensive but much less of a hassle. I previously wired the AUX cable all the way from the trunk to the front console, and as a result I had a squealing noise in the audio that went up and down in pitch with the engine (???). Fascinating effect that must have come from some weird interference. And a bluetooth module needs power so I never thought of putting that into the trunk until I found this option.

It may not change the problem with the right channel, though. That remains a mystery until I can get the CD player going.

 

First, i would recommend you disconnect the aux and reconnect the CD player-- this is the eliminate the aux as the reason for playback on left side only.
Also, that error usually relates to a jammed disc or magazine.-- press and hold eject button while pressing/releasing pressure on the magazine.
If the radio plays on both side, the amplifier is working as it should which means the audio issue is with the input to the amplifier (CD changer or AUX cable).

 

Thank you! Tried to reconnect the CD player but it did nothing. Will try the press/release trick later tonight and see if I can get the magazine out.

 

Can you be more specific as to "did nothing"?
For example, did you hear motor or any indicating the cd changer has power and not completely dead?

 

Very good questions. So I was able to make progress:

1. The CD changer did make a noise, and after looking at older threads on jammed changers, I saw that one of the slots was stuck. A few very harsh hits and it unstuck itself.
2. I found a music CD and was able to load it and play it, and confirmed that CD player and amp have no issue - both channels are playing perfectly fine.
3. My conclusion: The freaking cable from Discount Car Stereo is faulty

 

have you contacted them about it?
probable easily resolved.

 

Discount Car Stereo is not the fastest online store. I submitted a return request a few days ago and have not heard back from them. It also took them two weeks to send the part in the first place when I ordered it.

 

I'm sorry to hear you did not resolve the one side issue, but as far as the vendor goes; I've bought adapters (at least 3) for my XJR and my SL500 with no issues. I also see you are in Canada, and they are not up to speed or your standards, then perhaps you should try to buy local.

 

It's a privately run business so I'm not judging too hard. Plus, international shipping always takes more time. They ended up responding and I'm getting the bluetooth version delivered soon. Since the CD changer works it must have been the AUX cable.

I will let you all know if it works when I got the new adapter delivered.

 

hmmm Bluetooth (streaming only) is what I have in the XJR and sounds great on the premium speakers. That may be a better options than the aux jack.

 

This is an FM modulator that plays MP3s from an SD card, charges your phone
and has hands free calling, has a remote to control it ( in case you are not in the mood
for the next song) and connects to our ancient radios without interference or issue.
And if you don't like it...you can return it. I use something similar in mine and love it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/305121458994?

 

Thought I'd update this.

I did order the suggested module from the Colonies, it's arrived today which I thought was pretty quick considering.

No idea if it's any good, my car is away getting welding so I can't fit it & find out yet.

 

I bypassed my factory headunit and factory amp and installed my own amps directly to the factory speaker wiring. My factory headunit was toast anyway from what the Jaguar repair paper stated about a previous owner spilling a drink on it.

I use a Down4Sound EZY-DSP via bluetooth as my source. Everything appears stock but it's far from it. I also created a cassette tape iPad Mini 6 dock that I use as my infotainment. The radio being dead means I don't have to worry about ruining the cassette function with the dock.

Was the easiest route.

 

### UPDATE ###

Funny enough, after sending the AUX cable back and ordering the bluetooth version, the very nice people over at Discount Car Stereo pointed me to the FAQ at the end of their install manual: https://www.discountcarstereo.com/pdf/bta-jag98.pdf

Both my problems are noted here (right or left channel is gone, and the engine whining noise). Both are known issues.

For the channel, it seems that the contacts in the original plugs on the CD changer or amp tend to become quite rigid over time and don't connect with a new plug that well. They recommend moving the pins back and forth a little bit to loosen them and make them connect with their plug. That definitely solves the problem.

For the whining noise, I actually only had that when I had a very long AUX cable run from the trunk to the center console. Once I switched to bluetooth that noise was gone. It seems that the cable caught that whining noise somewhere along the way to the car's interior. Funny and weird. But good to know they have something for that, too.

Overall, great service from Discount Car Stereo!