New Owner, Stereo Questions

[sooner]

I am the new owner of a '98 with a faulty original head unit. The display is often garbled, it will not pick up some local stations, it turns itself off. When I consulted the local stereo shop we have used several times, they informed me if they replaced the head unit, it would disable my factory alarm system; and I would have to replace the amp and CD changer.
Does anyone know whether replacing the head unit, will disable my factory alarm system?

[porscheguy]

i cant change the presets on mine how do you all change yours. I could only get the first two to change but im not sure how i did it i just kept messing with it because i dont have an owners manual.

[jeeter15]

Porsheguy, it's like most other car stereo's. First select the channel you want with the dial, then hold down the preset you want to program for a few seconds. The system will change to the old preset station, but if you hold it down long enough it will go to the new station and reprogram it. I found it a bit strange that it returns to the old station, but just hold it down long enough and you'll be set.

I went to Tweeter this afternoon after spending some time on the Internet. Looks like Clarion has a system that will accept a USB thumbdrive directly into the front. Perfect for me, since I have a ton of these and they are dropping in cost. This beats hooking up an mp3 player or messing with burning CD's. Alpine has something similiar but it requires some kind of adapter. This technology is taking off and I suspect in the next 6 months, since CES just happened, that they'll be more offerings.

thanks for everyones suggestions!

Jeeter

[porscheguy]

Originally Posted by jeeter15

Porsheguy, it's like most other car stereo's. First select the channel you want with the dial, then hold down the preset you want to program for a few seconds. The system will change to the old preset station, but if you hold it down long enough it will go to the new station and reprogram it. I found it a bit strange that it returns to the old station, but just hold it down long enough and you'll be set.

I went to Tweeter this afternoon after spending some time on the Internet. Looks like Clarion has a system that will accept a USB thumbdrive directly into the front. Perfect for me, since I have a ton of these and they are dropping in cost. This beats hooking up an mp3 player or messing with burning CD's. Alpine has something similiar but it requires some kind of adapter. This technology is taking off and I suspect in the next 6 months, since CES just happened, that they'll be more offerings.

thanks for everyones suggestions!

Jeeter

thanks jeeter

[sooner]

Problem solved. The dealer quoted $1000 to replace head unit, and immeadiately referred me to Ebay for $349 replacement, and also referred me to a local shop (Mobile Tech Electronics) for repair. The local shop replaced the head unit with a remanufactured for $400 installed, which works like new. Stayed with OEM and did not have to replace amp, CD changer or alarm system. Preferred local over Ebay.

[RandallNeighbour]

Originally Posted by sooner

Does anyone know whether replacing the head unit, will disable my factory alarm system?

I replaced mine with an Alpine and the alarm works great. I think you need to find another shop. They dunno what they're talking about.

[aglsteven]

Originally Posted by sooner

I am the new owner of a '98 with a faulty original head unit. The display is often garbled, it will not pick up some local stations, it turns itself off. When I consulted the local stereo shop we have used several times, they informed me if they replaced the head unit, it would disable my factory alarm system; and I would have to replace the amp and CD changer.
Does anyone know whether replacing the head unit, will disable my factory alarm system?

Hi Sooner,

I replaced my original Becker CDR 21 with a CDR220 OEM replacement unit from Ebay. The guys at Fred Opert Racing were selling them. Improvement all round. I've now got an input socket to plug my ipod in (sacrificed the CD stacker in the front but left all the cables intact should I wish to revert), the display is better, sound is better, what more can I say.
Can't comment on the alarm, as my car doesn't have one, only the factory immobiliser that certainly was not affected.

Sorry to disagree with a lot of guys on this board, but I prefer the factory look, and Becker head units are very high quality (Becker is part of Harman/Kardon). The speakers and factory amp from Nokia are the components I would look to replace.