SteveG4TRA · Mar 3, 2025

On my 2003 LR Discovery S2 the radio is dead, refusing to turn on when the volume control is pressed on the head unit.

Its a ES model with a tape player slot, multiple CD loader under the drivers seat and rear headphone panels. It started playing up when all radio controls locked up and would only turn on and off with the ignition. Removing the main battery for a minute or so then resulted in a radio that ceased to even turn on.

As a matter of course I have checked all three fuses located drivers side below steering wheel related to the radio/audio system. As there does not seem to be a reset hole on the radio facia so I am wondering whether to pull the radio from the dash and look for a processor reset hole/facility somewhere on the radio. Apart form that I am starting to look for a replacement head.

Has anyone else ever come across this freezing of the radio controls, then no turn on fault?

SteveG4TRA · 2025-03-11T10:02:23+0000

OK it seems there is no assistance regarding this issue, so here's closure as found by myself.
Talking to one of the Alpine LR radio, re-coder, repairers they said 99% of this sort of problem are caused by leaky screens and water damage to the radios main board. I have a leaky screen (as I guess many do).
Pulling the radio (keys available £2.45 EBay) I stripped the radio to reveal pristine PCBs, and no water ingress visible. However even after a blow dry, blast with electronic cleaner and close magnified visible inspection the unit still failed to turn on on the bench.
As is common with a lot of electronics kit nowadays, circuit and layout diagrams are impossible to find, which is wholly irresponsible of Alpine in an age of sustainability. Yes, I know what consumerism is all about but I buy into the Repair Shop ethos.
So a replacement was sourced from HLR spares in Somerset. Highly recommended and quick delivery too with radio codes and a 30 day guarantee.
These radios are not cheap second hand (in relation to other car radios). New they were over £1000 (for some reason), so if you find your screen is leaking onto the dash then beware it getting into the radio.

Stanleysteamer · 2025-03-11T13:27:08+0000

SteveG4TRA said:
OK it seems there is no assistance regarding this issue, so here's closure as found by myself.
Talking to one of the Alpine LR radio, re-coder, repairers they said 99% of this sort of problem are caused by leaky screens and water damage to the radios main board. I have a leaky screen (as I guess many do).
Pulling the radio (keys available £2.45 EBay) I stripped the radio to reveal pristine PCBs, and no water ingress visible. However even after a blow dry, blast with electronic cleaner and close magnified visible inspection the unit still failed to turn on on the bench.
As is common with a lot of electronics kit nowadays, circuit and layout diagrams are impossible to find, which is wholly irresponsible of Alpine in an age of sustainability. Yes, I know what consumerism is all about but I buy into the Repair Shop ethos.
So a replacement was sourced from HLR spares in Somerset. Highly recommended and quick delivery too with radio codes and a 30 day guarantee.
These radios are not cheap second hand (in relation to other car radios). New they were over £1000 (for some reason), so if you find your screen is leaking onto the dash then beware it getting into the radio.

Thanks for all this info. you might possibly have got more of a response if you had posted it in the General section
I too had problems with my radio/cassette/CD head and did get help, from a guy on here who seems to know a bit (lot) about them, and mine wasn't even original equipment.
I share your pain as my Disco 1 came with OE stuff but the CD player packed up. I have fitted aftermarket stuff, Blaupunkt etc but have constant problems with them. One of which seems to be intermittence in the power supply.
The Head unit still works so I put it in my D2. And it gives much better deeper sound than the aftermarket one.

Hope your new to you one keeps going!!

Stanleysteamer · 2025-03-11T13:30:07+0000

SteveG4TRA said:
On my 2003 LR Discovery S2 the radio is dead, refusing to turn on when the volume control is pressed on the head unit.

Its a ES model with a tape player slot, multiple CD loader under the drivers seat and rear headphone panels. It started playing up when all radio controls locked up and would only turn on and off with the ignition. Removing the main battery for a minute or so then resulted in a radio that ceased to even turn on.

As a matter of course I have checked all three fuses located drivers side below steering wheel related to the radio/audio system. As there does not seem to be a reset hole on the radio facia so I am wondering whether to pull the radio from the dash and look for a processor reset hole/facility somewhere on the radio. Apart form that I am starting to look for a replacement head.

Has anyone else ever come across this freezing of the radio controls, then no turn on fault?

Just struck me.
My owner's manual came with a large section on the stereo system.
If you have one there may be a way of resetting it described in there.
Later I'll have a look through mine and put it up here if I find one.
Not sure if mine is the same system though as it comes out of a D1 Anniversary model. Not ES.
Have you tried looking for a manual for it on line?

SteveG4TRA

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SteveG4TRA

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Stanleysteamer

Well-Known Member

Stanleysteamer

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