Radio/CD player fault

[baz234]

XJS 1993 convertible - I have a fault on my radio/CD player, it is currently locked into playing a CD from the cassette in the boot. Non of the buttons on the face are not active, so I cannot change functions, ie radio or to another CD. I have checked all the fuses connected to the radio and all seem OK. Does anybody know of a reliable repair man that I can send this radio to?

[Tintin]

Dorchester Car Radios used to do competent repairs - just down the road for you!

I doubt there is anything specialist about a 1993 XJS unit that a modern general repair shop can't fix.

Hope this helps.

Robbie

[RichardSEL]

XJS 1993 convertible - I have a fault on my radio/CD player, it is currently locked into playing a CD from the cassette in the boot. Non of the buttons on the face are not active, so I cannot change functions, ie radio or to another CD. I have checked all the fuses connected to the radio and all seem OK. Does anybody know of a reliable repair man that I can send this radio to?

A playing CD has probably jumped out of its drive socket so the head can't return to datum (the most inner position)
If you can't remove the CD cassette then the boot CD changer will have to come out. If you unplug the CD changer that should allow the head unit to come alive again.

This is as I read your post. You don't say what you mean by the "buttons on the face are not active". By that I take it you mean the head unit isn't doing anything apart from lighting up. But you can't change to radio. Is that correct?

[baz234]

Hi Richard,
That is correct, I cannot get it to play the radio or even select another CD. Only the on/off and volume button works.

[RichardSEL]

That is correct, I cannot get it to play the radio or even select another CD. Only the on/off and volume button works.

So from that then the headunit's stuck in the CD display showing either a track number or an error message?
Next step is to try and remove the changer's cartridge and if it won't allow you then try first disconnecting then removing the changer.
Once out, a vigiourous shake often dislodges the offending CD back into a playable position with the head mechanism returning to its datum position. Once the CD's back into its slot then the cartridge should be capable of being removed once the changer's re-powered up.

I've not got more up close and personal with one of those changers than that so havn't investigated the innards
Just been out to have a look at mine and, unlike CD units on a PC or your home player there doesn't seem to be a pin hole for putting a paperclip end through to manually activate the cartridge's removal latch. But there are a few
small cross heads holding the plastic surround on. Hopefully, you won't have to go that far to extract
Best I can do for now

Let us know how you get on?

[poprivet]

Technology has moved on somewhat, unless you really want originality how about a replacement DAB radio that has a connection for a mp3 player / Apple ipod?

My daily driver has Apple carPlay which connects to my iPhone and has transformed the way I listen to all my favorite music without having CDs to mess around with.

[RichardSEL]

Me too into both our XJ8s. But problem is physical integration into the dash.
Ours aren't DIN or double DIN aperature capable.
Seen one where owner had gone to great lengths to integrate a modern-day single DIN unit into the hole left by removal of an 2000-style Blaunkput with a nicely matching walnut surround. It just looked wrong

Best is to make a connection for audio out into the CD input and use that.
There's no USB input on the OEM headunits either...

[baz234]

I would like to thank members who responded to my Radio non-functioning problem. In the end I took it too Dorchester Car Radio repairs and They have just informed me yesterday it a problem with corrosion and quoted £135 + vat to repair it. I have searched various internet sites and there really is not much out there to replace it, so I have told them to proceed with the repair. Especially as I rather like to have the original piece of kit in place and working correctly.

[baz234]

I am pleased to report I took up Tintin's advice and took my radio/cassette player to Dorchester car Radios and they have rectified the fault. They said it was corrosion, they had the radio for a couple of month's and they charged £160 including vat. I'm glad to say it is back in the car and works perfectly.