Megane 1996 radio problem

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Tue 22 Nov 2005 13:26
Megane 1996 radio problem - Mike H
I've just bought a second hand radio for my 1996 Megane to replace the dead original, having spent a year looking for the right model - new one is identical. I've hooked it up to the remote controls, and all seems to be working fine, but......none of the controls on the actual radio work except the mechanical ones for the cassette player. All steering column control controls are fine. So I can't adjust balance, bass, treble, or manually tune a new preset. Am I missing a trick or is the unit faulty? I did notice there was an earth connector on the back which desn't seem to have a sitable lead, but I'm assuming this is irrelevan as the actual thing works OK. Anyone any ideas??
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Tue 22 Nov 2005 13:51
Megane 1996 radio problem - dereckr
With the set working, switch off and disconnect the steering controls and see if the fascia controls start working when switched back on. Also, check that none of the fascia control buttons are stuck or broken i.e held on, because if they are, the other controls will be locked out. The set is likely to be a Philips?
If so, they suffer a corrosion based fault on the fascia which causes this problem...usually not fixable.

PS earth tab on Renault units not always fitted, this won't be your problem.
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Tue 22 Nov 2005 14:01
Megane 1996 radio problem - Mike H
So if the fascia controls start working when the remote is disconnected, what's the next step? The set is a Philips DC379/62B.

What's the corrosion fault - does it destroy a set of connectors? And is it possible then that I could put the fascia from the old radio onto the new to resolve it?
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Wed 23 Nov 2005 13:41
Megane 1996 radio problem - dereckr
If the set starts working when the remote controls are disconnected, this would throw suspicion on the remote control harness or even a compatability problem. However since my last post I have remembered the exact nature of the corrosion problem on the fascias. The corrosion is in fact a manufacturing based problem on the fascia circuit board where the preset switches are mounted. The contamination forms around the switches and takes the form of a black "sooty" deposit on the circuit board tracks. This deposit is conductive. If it is cleaned off (use switch cleaner or lighter fuel), the set should work. You will need to dismantle the fascia circuit board. You will require miniture Torx drivers (T8, T9) to dismantle.
If the old set was functioning, you should be able to swap the front panel and board OK.

Hope this helps.
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