Kenwood Head Units

stevestrat · 3rd September 2013, 18:21

Anybody tell me where the IR pickup is on the OEM Kenwood head units?

I have a non OEM Kenwood (KRC 597) and the steering wheel controls didn't work, I was advised the IR LED had probably gone walkabout, slipped out of position and ended up behind the unit. Got round to checking, the IR LED was there, sitting in the left hand position in the eyebrow but doesn't speak to the head unit . . . . that's probably due to the fact the head unit's IR pickup is on the front

The only way I can get the steering wheel controls to work with it is create another slot in the eyebrow underplate above the IR pickup with the IR LED sticking out further than it should (disguised by a bit of cable sleeving). That'll do temporarily but anybody got any suggestions for a more aesthetic long term solution.

Tim_Burgess · 3rd September 2013, 20:35

Some Kenwood units don't have IR pickup. You need to check the spec of the model you have.

If the sender is in the l/h hole in the eyebrow, and the head unit is compatible, it should work fine unless one of the wires is broken. I've had to re-solder mine.

I have a Kenwood DAB head unit in mine and that works with the IR no problem.

Tim_Burgess · 3rd September 2013, 20:40

Just re-read your post, shouldn' speed read before replying

. My best guess would be that you have a dry joint on the IR sender. Or something in the way of the IR beam in the slot above the head unit.

The IR is pretty forgiving and should work fine as long as the unit is compatible.

stevestrat · 3rd September 2013, 22:01

The IR does work, just not from any position under the eyebrow, tried the left hand slot, right hand, middle, everywhere. I can only assume it's due to the IR pickup being on the front of the head unit. Remove the LED from the eyebrow and let it dangle in front of the head unit it works perfectly

Tim_Burgess · 4th September 2013, 08:55

Very odd, do you have a pic of your unit? it's not one I'm familiar with.

As I said, I changed mine for the KDC-DAB41U and the IR works fine from its original position, unless I have something sticking out of the cubby slot above the head unit blocking the beam.

stevestrat · 4th September 2013, 09:06

Tim, pic as requested. The IR pickup is the "pimple" next to the silver volume wheel in the 2 o'clock position.

pab · 4th September 2013, 09:08

When I upgraded to a later Kenwood Head unit I found the sensor would only be recognised in the right hand side of the eyebrow.

If it works anywhere but where it is supposed to be fitted, that's fine, just make sure it is secure.

3rd September 2013, 18:21	#1
stevestrat This is my second home ZT260 #243 (resting) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prestonpans Posts: 22,571 Thanks: 650 Thanked 4,624 Times in 3,358 Posts	Kenwood Head Units Anybody tell me where the IR pickup is on the OEM Kenwood head units? I have a non OEM Kenwood (KRC 597) and the steering wheel controls didn't work, I was advised the IR LED had probably gone walkabout, slipped out of position and ended up behind the unit. Got round to checking, the IR LED was there, sitting in the left hand position in the eyebrow but doesn't speak to the head unit . . . . that's probably due to the fact the head unit's IR pickup is on the front The only way I can get the steering wheel controls to work with it is create another slot in the eyebrow underplate above the IR pickup with the IR LED sticking out further than it should (disguised by a bit of cable sleeving). That'll do temporarily but anybody got any suggestions for a more aesthetic long term solution. __________________ Steve T4 Location Map Last edited by stevestrat; 3rd September 2013 at 20:07..

3rd September 2013, 20:35	#2
Tim_Burgess This is my second home 1999 75 Connoisseur SE 2.5, 2000 75 Classic SE 2.0, 2012 Lancia Delta 3, 2016 Dacia Sandero Ambiance Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kilcreggan Posts: 3,191 Thanks: 334 Thanked 334 Times in 162 Posts	Some Kenwood units don't have IR pickup. You need to check the spec of the model you have. If the sender is in the l/h hole in the eyebrow, and the head unit is compatible, it should work fine unless one of the wires is broken. I've had to re-solder mine. I have a Kenwood DAB head unit in mine and that works with the IR no problem. __________________ *The fact there's a highway to hell and only a stairway to heaven says a lot about anticipated traffic numbers.*.

3rd September 2013, 20:40	#3
Tim_Burgess This is my second home 1999 75 Connoisseur SE 2.5, 2000 75 Classic SE 2.0, 2012 Lancia Delta 3, 2016 Dacia Sandero Ambiance Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kilcreggan Posts: 3,191 Thanks: 334 Thanked 334 Times in 162 Posts	Just re-read your post, shouldn' speed read before replying . My best guess would be that you have a dry joint on the IR sender. Or something in the way of the IR beam in the slot above the head unit. The IR is pretty forgiving and should work fine as long as the unit is compatible. __________________ *The fact there's a highway to hell and only a stairway to heaven says a lot about anticipated traffic numbers.*.

3rd September 2013, 22:01	#4
stevestrat This is my second home ZT260 #243 (resting) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prestonpans Posts: 22,571 Thanks: 650 Thanked 4,624 Times in 3,358 Posts	The IR does work, just not from any position under the eyebrow, tried the left hand slot, right hand, middle, everywhere. I can only assume it's due to the IR pickup being on the front of the head unit. Remove the LED from the eyebrow and let it dangle in front of the head unit it works perfectly __________________ Steve T4 Location Map

4th September 2013, 08:55	#5
Tim_Burgess This is my second home 1999 75 Connoisseur SE 2.5, 2000 75 Classic SE 2.0, 2012 Lancia Delta 3, 2016 Dacia Sandero Ambiance Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kilcreggan Posts: 3,191 Thanks: 334 Thanked 334 Times in 162 Posts	Very odd, do you have a pic of your unit? it's not one I'm familiar with. As I said, I changed mine for the KDC-DAB41U and the IR works fine from its original position, unless I have something sticking out of the cubby slot above the head unit blocking the beam. __________________ *The fact there's a highway to hell and only a stairway to heaven says a lot about anticipated traffic numbers.*.

4th September 2013, 09:08	#7
pab Banned MG ZT V6 190+ Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Leeds Posts: 33,223 Thanks: 41 Thanked 1,614 Times in 1,416 Posts	When I upgraded to a later Kenwood Head unit I found the sensor would only be recognised in the right hand side of the eyebrow. If it works anywhere but where it is supposed to be fitted, that's fine, just make sure it is secure.