Poppers
New Member
There was a few people mentioning that they were having problems with their P38 Clarion radio, and I too was suffering from the same thing.
I've fiddled on with in the past and had no luck, but the problem was bearable so didn't really bother looking into it any further. The other day though the problem got worse and I couldn't listen to the radio at all, so I decided to take it out today and see if I could fix it once and for all!
Now, touch wood I did - it was all working when I left the car but knowing my luck I'll write this and it'll have gone again!
Anyway, for all of you who have 15-30 mins to spare and fancy fixing yours, I've took a few pics and I'll explain what to do.
This fix is for people who's radio decides to give off a random buzzing noise through the speakers rather than actually playing any sound.
All you will need is an M4x20 screw.
Right, here goes. Apologies for the bad photos but you get the idea.
Taking the radio out (skip if you know what your doing):
Step 1: Remove the fascia by simply pulling it off with your fingers, be careful and work your way round it starting from the bottom.
Step 2: Get 2 long but thin screwdrivers and push each one into the 2 holes located at the top left and top right of the radio. Push them both in at the same time, then holding them with your thumbs pull them both back out together whilst also gently pulling the radio with your spare fingers.
Step 3: Disconnect the radio, just pull everything out. The power & audio connections require you to squeeze and pull at the same time to release them. You don't really need to take note of where anything goes as they all have their own shaped sockets they fit into, but if you wish to do so - go ahead. The antennas are both the same fit but usually one is marked red, if not it might be wise to note these down or tape them up accordingly.
Repairing the radio:
Step 1: Start by taking the top of the radio off. You will see 4 small phillips screws, take these out and then simply pull the lid of, working your way round so you don't bend it. Be careful with these screws - they round very easily.
Step 2: You should now be looking at something similar to this image. You will see a metal thing in the bottom left hand corner with holes in which looks to be a heat sink. You will notice on the image I have posted there is a screw in the right hand hole on the second row down. This is an M4x20 screw, commonly used for electrical things such as sockets/switches etc, local hardware should sell them. You need to push it through this hole and locate it in the hole in the circuit board below (not directly under, the screw will have to be set at a slight angle).
Step 3: Apply some pressure and screw this screw until it just starts to grip into the circuit board. Once it begins to grip, stop. Look at this image your screw should be coming out in the same place if you look underneath the radio. (Look just above the centre of the picture).
Step 4: Take the radio into your car with the lid off. Don't turn the ignition on but plug it all in. BE CAREFUL NOT TO TOUCH ANYTHING. Once its all plugged in, carefully hold the radio by the underneath, switch the ignition on and begin to screw it down until sound comes out of the speakers rather than that horrid buzzing noise. Once it does, switch the ignition off, wait a couple of seconds then switch it back on and see if it is still playing sound. It may take a bit of tweaking but it's just a case of loosening and tightening until you get it right. Once you've got it, leave it all plugged in but switch the ignition off and box it all back up/re-install the radio.
It's a bit of a cheeky fix, but it works so I thought I'd post it to share with others.
Hope it helps,
Dale.
I've fiddled on with in the past and had no luck, but the problem was bearable so didn't really bother looking into it any further. The other day though the problem got worse and I couldn't listen to the radio at all, so I decided to take it out today and see if I could fix it once and for all!
Now, touch wood I did - it was all working when I left the car but knowing my luck I'll write this and it'll have gone again!
Anyway, for all of you who have 15-30 mins to spare and fancy fixing yours, I've took a few pics and I'll explain what to do.
This fix is for people who's radio decides to give off a random buzzing noise through the speakers rather than actually playing any sound.
All you will need is an M4x20 screw.
Right, here goes. Apologies for the bad photos but you get the idea.
Taking the radio out (skip if you know what your doing):
Step 1: Remove the fascia by simply pulling it off with your fingers, be careful and work your way round it starting from the bottom.
Step 2: Get 2 long but thin screwdrivers and push each one into the 2 holes located at the top left and top right of the radio. Push them both in at the same time, then holding them with your thumbs pull them both back out together whilst also gently pulling the radio with your spare fingers.
Step 3: Disconnect the radio, just pull everything out. The power & audio connections require you to squeeze and pull at the same time to release them. You don't really need to take note of where anything goes as they all have their own shaped sockets they fit into, but if you wish to do so - go ahead. The antennas are both the same fit but usually one is marked red, if not it might be wise to note these down or tape them up accordingly.
Repairing the radio:
Step 1: Start by taking the top of the radio off. You will see 4 small phillips screws, take these out and then simply pull the lid of, working your way round so you don't bend it. Be careful with these screws - they round very easily.
Step 2: You should now be looking at something similar to this image. You will see a metal thing in the bottom left hand corner with holes in which looks to be a heat sink. You will notice on the image I have posted there is a screw in the right hand hole on the second row down. This is an M4x20 screw, commonly used for electrical things such as sockets/switches etc, local hardware should sell them. You need to push it through this hole and locate it in the hole in the circuit board below (not directly under, the screw will have to be set at a slight angle).
Step 3: Apply some pressure and screw this screw until it just starts to grip into the circuit board. Once it begins to grip, stop. Look at this image your screw should be coming out in the same place if you look underneath the radio. (Look just above the centre of the picture).
Step 4: Take the radio into your car with the lid off. Don't turn the ignition on but plug it all in. BE CAREFUL NOT TO TOUCH ANYTHING. Once its all plugged in, carefully hold the radio by the underneath, switch the ignition on and begin to screw it down until sound comes out of the speakers rather than that horrid buzzing noise. Once it does, switch the ignition off, wait a couple of seconds then switch it back on and see if it is still playing sound. It may take a bit of tweaking but it's just a case of loosening and tightening until you get it right. Once you've got it, leave it all plugged in but switch the ignition off and box it all back up/re-install the radio.
It's a bit of a cheeky fix, but it works so I thought I'd post it to share with others.
Hope it helps,
Dale.
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