2002 156 stereo head unit question

[L4OMEO]

Hey everone

My '02 156 V6 has a Pioneer head-unit, model DEH-P7550MP - can anyone tell me if this was a standard or optional unit when new, or is it more likely to have replaced the original at some stage? Does anyone else have this model?

Cheers!
Rory

[John Hanslow]

This looks like a replacement radio and this was done to improve the overall system.

With the service book there should be an additional manual for CD/radio/cassette players.  The radio face was to match the car interior and for you this looks like the Monza dash with the red lighting on the dials.

A lot of 156 car radios were replaced over time for more appropriate and functional units but the major issue here is reception.  I have the Alfa branded Clarion unit and does need improvement now as reception is crap and the CD will only play burnt CD's. Go figure that one !

Previusly an Alfa specialist said I have the Bose aerial upgrade as the internal anetenna is attached to the front windscreen.  Now looking at an external antenna.
Cheers.

[L4OMEO]

Thanks for that John

Agree with you on the radio reception - fine if you're parked beside the transmitting station, utter shite everywhere else. Just have to rely on the music from under the bonnet

Which of course you pay for at the pumps

What is the Bose antennae upgrade exactly? I don't have an external aerial so presume it is in the screen, is this what you're referring to or is the Bose thing something else?

The issue with your CD only playing burnt CDs - has that always been the case or is it a fault that's appeared at some point?

Cheers!
Rory

[John Hanslow]

Well normally listen to the radion but when I play a CD I get an error message. I notice it also has a CD Disk logo for some sort of CD acceptance.  Will check the guidebook thoroughly tonight.

As for the internal antenna, its on the top left hand side of the windscreen. Round receiver disk about the size of a 50 peice with wire across and wire down the glass with Bose logo on it.

AS for the music under the bonnet, the silencer (at the end of the airfilter/air box has been removed so when you accelerate you get that louder sound like an Autodelta induction kit  for free (just the sound not any thing else).

Bonus actually.

[Prana69]

Hi all

I know this is an old thread, but I am having major issues with my radio reception and something in here made me think, a-ha!

The radio reception on my 2003 JTS is utter SHITE.  Everywhere, AM/FM whatever, it is crapola.  I had a small stubby aerial at the back of the roof which I replaced with a longer after-market one, but it made no difference.  Now I note the statement about a receiver disk being attached or embedded in the windscreen glass.  My windscreen was replaced as part of a road-worthy requirement before I bought the car. Is it possible that this receiver disk was removed and not replaced or would it not have existed on my model?

I just can't believe that any radio could have such a garbage reception, all day everywhere.  it just seems like there is no active connection between an aerial / antenna and the radio itself.

I'm thinking of replacing the CD/Radio (I believe it is the stock Clarion unit) with a Pioneer or something, hoping to get better reception.

Thoughts?

David

[shiny_car]

the antenna relies on a signal-booster that is trigger on/off by the headunit. maybe ensure the 'antenna output' wire on the headunit (blue wire) is connect appropriately (to wire A5 in the ISO plug).

[Prana69]

thanks shiny_car.  i've never removed (or even attempted to remove) a head unit before.  is it fairly easy?  i can't even see where to remove it.  there are 4 small holes in each corner of the unit, but they look too small to be holes for screws.  they're only about 2 mm diameter.  Dave

[shiny_car]

ah. it didn't fully register in my brain  that your headunit is still the original/stock. so it's very unlikely for the antenna output wire to dislodge or fail.

but, FYI, removing the headunit is easy. whilst you can use proper 'unlocking keys' that slot into the holes, you can alternativesly use coathanger wire (make a couple U-shaped lengths). by gently pushing wire/rods into the holes, it pushes aside the springy metal locking tabs that keep the headunit in place. push wire in (about 5cm each hole) but don't force it; then try and grasp the face of the headunit and wiggle it outwards. persevere, and it should release. you will find the main plugs connected directly into the back of the headunit (hence, unlikely for the wire to disconnect).

i had thought and aftermarket Clarion was already installed. the installer may have made a dodgy wire connection or forgotten to connect it. but the factory headunits are usually Blaupunkt.

so, your reception issues will be harder to resolve. there could be a poor groundwire connection for the booster, but it can be difficult to access (if it's behind the roof lining). having said this, i read about a UK owner commenting that UK spec cars apparently still utilise the rear demister as the antenna, despite having a roof antenna. this made no sense to me (despite pre-update 156's having no roof antenna and indeed using the rear demister as the antenna). however, do you have any issues with the rear demister - like broken bands of wire across the window?

at the end of the days, reception in some Euro cars is just crap.

[L4OMEO]

Hi shiny_car (can I call you Shiny, or is it Mr.Car?)

Did I read that correct in that the rear demister acts as the radio antennae? Not sure if that's ingenious or stupid 

So if my demister has a couple of bars not operating could that also be affected the antennae's ... err, antenae-ing? Hope I'm not getting too technical for you 

Anyway, running a lead to a good external antennae and bypassing this altogether is likely to effect an improvement over the original,  right? Any traps to consider in doing so?

Cheers
Rory

[Davidm1600]

Gees you guys, I havn't had any problems with my '03 JTS Sportwagon's radio reception of CD player.  It has the Bose upgrade package, including subwoofer in the rear and the sound quality is really excellent.  I have the standard antenna on the rear of the roof, and reception for any station, ie. Triple J, ABC National or commercial stations is fine Statewide across Tasmania, and definitely no worse than any other modern car's radio.  As far as CDs I have no trouble with either original or burnt CDs. 

Perhaps I have just been lucky ?? 

[John Hanslow]

I think the JTS post 2002 has better antenna and radio to go.

Isn't the Twin Spark antenna in the side pillar at the back ?

[Prana69]

I have an 03 JTS.  Looks to be original CD/Radio, which someone said is prob a Blaupunkt.

On radio, the sound in my unit often jumps around between speakers and seems to come in and out, particularly on AM (774 Melbourne).  Lots of crackling.  Sometimes one speaker won't work at all.  Triple J (FM) is better but still "hollow" and sometimes all speakers work, sometimes not.  CD sound appears to be OK, but sound quality is very very average.

I haven't had a chance to follow up on the suggestions of others in this forum.