radio dead on xj sport any ideas please

[bethany17]

have removed battery lead and reconnected as advised by main dealer cannot enter code as radio does not turn on although back lighting is ok when general lighting is on , any ideas please .

[Straight6DOHC]

Is this a replacement radio or the car's original radio?

[bethany17]

hi this is jaguar original fitment, first of all it locked up on radio2 no volume adjust ,nothing. then followed dealers advice to reset by isolating battery, reconnecting and then turn on unit put in radio code . however after reconnecting battery radio is dead only backlighting when general lighting is switched on. thanks lester.

[Straight6DOHC]

If it had been a replacement (Jaguar) radio, I might have had a solution. However, as this is your car's original radio, and it had develpoed a fault even before disconnecting the battery, I reckon no amount of disconnecting and reconnecting the battery will have an effect. I'd be inclined to remove the radio and see that all connections/plugs at the back are intact, then open the radio and look for any signs of damage/deterioration.
Just so that you know - when you reconnect a good radio to the car, it should say 'CODE' on the display - enter the code. Perhaps your display can't say CODE just now but try typing it in anyway.
The problem I had with mine was that it wouldn't switch on the cd changer - a common fault. I bought a second hand one, plugged it in and ......nothing. Absolutely nothing. No lights or anything. I sent it back and the seller tested it and said it worked perfectly. I asked him to send it back as I trusted him. I decided to swap parts one at a time from the two radios. I removed the rear section - where all the plugs connect into - from the old radio and swapped it into the new radio. Guess what. Everything then worked.
I still don't know why. This doesn't really help you, but if you do decide to get a new radio, don't throw out the old one.

[bethany17]

Thanks for your detailed reply ,have got the radio out now do you know where i could get it tested /repaired. Thanx lester.

[Straight6DOHC]

Lester, do you have the Harmon Kardon premium sound system - you can tell by finding a HK amp above the fuel tank in the boot and a woofer on the rear parcel shelf? If not, consider yourself lucky, because you can very easily fit a new/second hand radio. That is what I would do. However, it's a different kettle of fish if you have the HK upgrade as the speakers have an active set up and simply plugging in an aftermarket radio is not an option.
I don't know anyone who can repair car radios. A quick internet search might help you. However, in my honest opinion, it's not worth it unless you want to keep the car original looking. I reckon the easiest and cheapest option is to replace the broken part - the radio.
Failing that I'd be opening up the radio you have and look for anything obviously broken.
If you do decide to replace the radio, I can't tell you which ones will fit the cd changer cable, but the x300 facia and universal plugs for other head units are readily available - look up 'nexxia' online- (no affiliation)

[bethany17]

Hi have obtained aradio from a dismantled car also h/lamp trim for a reasonable cost ,if anyone needs spares in the Crawley area please contact me .