awkwardbob · Aug 14, 2020

Hi Folks,

We’ve recently become
The owners of a ‘98 UK Autobiography which Is in really decent nick but has been bug***d about with its stereo system with a total piece of crap aftermarket radio and the removal of the stock HK subwoofer in the boot (not to mention the horrific speaker grill hacked into the trim panel -now replaced).

I’d like to return to pretty much standard config and have sourced the original Clarion head unit and CD Autochanger and a new/old stock HK subwoofer.

My (likely silly) questions are:

When I remove the offensive pioneer gaudyness, does the clarion slip into the same metal mounting sleeve ?
(I don’t know yet what horrors I’ll find re wiring butchery but I hope they’ve used an adaptor harness).

Seondly, the Sub slips and bolts into place beautifully. The white 6-pin connector is there and clips in -the control for the CD is there too,

what I wondered though, is, is that the only connector the sub unit requires ? There’s an ominous hole next to the connector block which looks like it would take a power supply -but I don’t understand what the logic would be in doing that ! -I’d have thought all the necessary would be in the multi-connector.

Thanks in advance for help.

Bob

tomcat59alan · Aug 14, 2020

awkwardbob said:
Hi Folks,

We’ve recently become
The owners of a ‘98 UK Autobiography which Is in really decent nick but has been bug***d about with its stereo system with a total piece of crap aftermarket radio and the removal of the stock HK subwoofer in the boot (not to mention the horrific speaker grill hacked into the trim panel -now replaced).

I’d like to return to pretty much standard config and have sourced the original Clarion head unit and CD Autochanger and a new/old stock HK subwoofer.

My (likely silly) questions are:

When I remove the offensive pioneer gaudyness, does the clarion slip into the same metal mounting sleeve ?
(I don’t know yet what horrors I’ll find re wiring butchery but I hope they’ve used an adaptor harness).

Seondly, the Sub slips and bolts into place beautifully. The white 6-pin connector is there and clips in -the control for the CD is there too,

what I wondered though, is, is that the only connector the sub unit requires ? There’s an ominous hole next to the connector block which looks like it would take a power supply -but I don’t understand what the logic would be in doing that ! -I’d have thought all the necessary would be in the multi-connector.

Thanks in advance for help.

Bob

Photos help Bob.I may even be able to remember

RangeRoller dt · Aug 14, 2020

Get a pic, I have spare facia surround somewhere for original unit but not sure if it’s one for a ‘98 clarion unit

awkwardbob · Aug 14, 2020

RangeRoller dt said:
Get a pic, I have spare facia surround somewhere for original unit but not sure if it’s one for a ‘98 clarion unit

Thanks ! I will (when it arrives -hopefully later today !)

RangeRoller dt · Aug 14, 2020

Of the dash

tomcat59alan · Aug 14, 2020

RangeRoller dt said:
Of the dash

I meant of the plugs for theH&K sub woofer.

Gunnerhavesome · Aug 14, 2020

Have you checked that amplifier is still in the back? it's behind the Sub and behind again the sound proofing and insulation. If is not there or not working stand by for BIG ££. a lot of original systems were changed because the amp failed. And with it being a pain to get to and about £700 in its day it was cheaper to fit a new system.

awkwardbob · Aug 14, 2020

Hi,
does the HK sub unit not have the amp built in to the actual unit ? Or is that just the crossover ?

The Sub unit seems To fit flush against the bodywork, there isn’t room (or not much room) behind to fit anything -certainly doesn’t look like anything *should* go there -but, I could well have this completely
Wrong !

where should I be looking ?

awkwardbob · Aug 14, 2020

Pics to follow. Having a tow bar fitted

biketeacherdave · Aug 14, 2020

Its doubtful the amp is there or if it is more doubtful it works,better off fitting an android tablet instead and wiring the speakers direct as I did

awkwardbob · Aug 14, 2020

Ok pics:

tomcat59alan · Aug 14, 2020

awkwardbob said:
Ok pics:

View attachment 217082 View attachment 217084 View attachment 217082 View attachment 217084 View attachment 217085 View attachment 217086 View attachment 217087 View attachment 217088

I cannot remember any more plugs or wiring on mine. I could pull mine apart again if you really need me to.

awkwardbob · Aug 14, 2020

Hey,

tomcat59alan said:
I cannot remember any more plugs or wiring on mine. I could pull mine apart again if you really need me to.

No that’s great news thanks !
And am I right that the amp is contained within that unit ?

I suspect the issue may be a disconnection at the head end, I dread to think what I’ll find when I pull it out later on...

ive also got a heap of ‘farty’ speakers to deal with -who thought this was a good idea again ?!

Gunnerhavesome · Aug 14, 2020

awkwardbob said:
Hi,
does the HK sub unit not have the amp built in to the actual unit ? Or is that just the crossover ?

The Sub unit seems To fit flush against the bodywork, there isn’t room (or not much room) behind to fit anything -certainly doesn’t look like anything *should* go there -but, I could well have this completely
Wrong !

where should I be looking ?

The sub unit does indeed fit flush but you need to take off the backing behind the sub against the panel as it is hidden behind there at least that where mine is. And it's a pain to get at.

awkwardbob · Aug 15, 2020

Ah, Right, thanks.

just out of interest, what are the symptoms of a failed amp ? No sound ? Heavy distortion ? Dropout ?

also, as I’m clearly being a div, I’ve got the lovely sub unit with the bracket for the cd auto changer but the cd unit is wider than the small riveted inner bracket. I can drill the rivers out and remove the smaller bracket but does anyone have a pic of how it should mount correctly ? -or have I got the wrong auto changer ?

thanks again,

Bob

Henry_b · Aug 15, 2020

No sound is the symptom the older cars have the cheaper AMP IIRC..

LAter cars are a pain in the ass due to the HK amp being NLA.

@martyuk does a handy upgrade to ditch the amp and use the 4 subs in the doors..

Bagshot · Aug 15, 2020

It's important that you check to see if the amp is in place. Remove the sub, remove the back panel and also remove the insulation as well. There should be a black box bolted vertically to the car body, just inside of the rear wing skin.. If you have this in place then first thing is to get it tested. The PO may have put in the new stereo coz the amp is stuffed. They are not fixable AT ALL.!. and only available second hand. (Takes your chance there at around£300 a shot). I had to replace mine with a normal 4 channel amp and rewire the whole thing. Yes there is an amp in the subwoofer, but that's individual to its self, and nothing to do with the big one. For info search for DSP amp faults on here.

awkwardbob · Aug 15, 2020

Wow, that’s a dense multi connector !

looks like that’s my Saturday taken care of (eek)

I suspect the amp is still there as it doesn’t look like the panel has ever been off and I do have sound but will have a trawl through the forum.

thanks !

Bagshot · Aug 15, 2020

32 wire connections into the amp I think..
This might help if you're thinking about it. Big thanks to @martyuk for this.

Gunnerhavesome · Aug 15, 2020

Bagshot said:
It's important that you check to see if the amp is in place. Remove the sub, remove the back panel and also remove the insulation as well. There should be a black box bolted vertically to the car body, just inside of the rear wing skin.. If you have this in place then first thing is to get it tested. The PO may have put in the new stereo coz the amp is stuffed. They are not fixable AT ALL.!. and only available second hand. (Takes your chance there at around£300 a shot). I had to replace mine with a normal 4 channel amp and rewire the whole thing. Yes there is an amp in the subwoofer, but that's individual to its self, and nothing to do with the big one. For info search for DSP amp faults on here.View attachment 217109 View attachment 217109

Cheers as i didn't have a picture of mine in place.
With mine some days the radio would work and for months it wouldn't and driving along the radio would come to life. But if you turned the volume up you could hear the sub working. Finally after a few years knowing it would be a pain pulled it out opened it up and soldered a dry joint been perfick ever since but again that was just luck and if t goes again it can stay put.

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Think outside, no box required.

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