Help! Need stereo for my 96 Conti-R

[matt5791]

The Car is fitted with the original ALPINE TDA-7537R. Unfortunately, it just "pulses" on and off when switched on and, apparently, this probably means the processor is fried, and is not repairable.

But I really want to retain the original stereo because it's original to the car and I want to keep the car 100% standard. Also, other head units just look out of place, in my opinion. Rolls Royce ordered these Alpine units "un-branded" (cant have anything as vulgar as a brand in the car!) and their low key design fits well in the dash.

Apparently these head units were fitted to most Bentleys (possibly Rolls Royce too), 2 and 4 door cars, during the mid 90's. I've tried Flying Spares - I was sure they would have one on the shelf pulled from a car they had broken, but no luck. I've also had a saved search on ebay for some time.

So, It's a long shot -

1. Does anyone have one of these, or know where I might look?
2. Does anyone know if the "pulsing" on and off really is terminal? It's worth mentioning that on a few occasions it has appeared to work and shown a display like in the photo below, in amber. When it is pulsing, it's just a blank, green, display.

[rabowman]

I had 2 Turbo Rs during the late 80s early 90s and both were fitted ex factory with Blaupunkt branded stereos.

These looked identical to the Alpine unit in your photo.
Blaupunkt used names instead of model numbers...I think mine was a Torronto

[MJK 24]

Have you made enquiries re repairing your existing unit?

In a time when radio's from the 60's can be updated internally to pair with IPods etc, I'm sure the expertise to repair your unit is out there.

Good luck

[2woody]

I might just have one of those - let me have a look tomorrow in my pile of steteo parts.......

[matt5791]

Hi all,

Many thanks for the replies. If you have one Woody, let me know what you want for it.

I did enquire with one repairer, who sounded pretty clued up, and his opinion was, if it's pulsing on and off it sounds like the processor is fried, and it would be impossible to get a replacement processor. But I could ask a few more people,

Matt

[WelshBentleyBoy]

Why not give Alpine themselves. Just contact customer support. I have found them extremely helpful in updating my Sat Nav in a 2002 Arnage T

Paul

[matt5791]

Update on the Stereo

I managed to get it repaired!

So just want to recommend Car Audio Repair Services in Brighton - absolutely superb. I was told by others that it wouldn't be repairable. But Richard went through all the capacitor things and circuit boards and got it working again - and only in a few days.

[d8ean]

just picked up a 97 continental r, unfortunately has a flip out screen alpine unit
not sure of that was a upgrade or not?

may have to search on ebay for a old looking unit with some ipod technology if that exists

[matt5791]

There are a few Alpine stereos around that are very similar looking to the original. Don't know about ipod technology though. It's worth sorting out if you want to keep the car original - modern stereos just don't suit these cars, in my view.

I've gradually replaced all the main speakers - because the car had not been used in a long time, when I got the stereo working and turned it on, it blew the speakers to bits, as they had completely perished!

[WelshBentleyBoy]

Its like everything else in life. Just find a good ICE techie and he can fix the ipod connection with no trouble It often involves substituting the CD player for the ipod.
As regards the sat nav the early ones used an Alpine NVE n077P which can be easily upgraded to an NV099P. The most up to date maps are 2010. For a few hundred pounds more you can update to an NVE 300p which is upgradeable online. This unit is intended to work with a touch screen but will still work with a remote control but it means mounting an IR receiver on the dashboard and a lot of fiddling about with memory sticks for upgrading maps but once in and programed it is great.