Clarion Radio Repair?

[hblock72]

Anyone ever had to have their Clarion head unit repaired? When I got my boat out to get it ready for summer my Clarion M455 head unit would not power up. Hoping it would just be a bad fuse or corroded connection, I got out my volt meter and began troubleshooting and found I had power all the way to the head unit, so it looks like the issue is internal to the unit. Also tried the reset button on the face to no avail. Got on Clarion's website and looked up the nearest service center, but when I called the number, it had been disconnected. I've removed it from the boat and think my next step will be to try the local stereo shop. The reason I'd rather repair it vs. just replace it, is that it will obsolete both of my wired remotes, which I'd like to not have to replace. I'd have twice as much money in replacing remotes as in a new head unit. Thanks.

 

[Chris Nowell]

Just had the same situation with ours. My last kick at the can will be to make sure there's a good ground at the stereo head, (never thought of it while I was checking for power, used a ground clip from behind the dash, duh!!!). We don't
use the stereo much but it is nice to have it working. Can't imagine having to start replacing the remotes. Might be easier to buy a bigger boat? :grin: Good luck.

 

[tdschafer]

I can't help you out with the repair aspect but I can tell you that Alpine makes a radio with WIRELESS remotes. Earmark marine had posted something about them a while back. It might be an option for you if the repair search is unsuccessful. I do remember it was a little pricey though. Good luck!


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Todd

 

[BigBoysToys]

Which model head unit do you have? I went through a similar situation with my Clarion CMD5. I ended up replacing it with a unit off eBay but when I spoke to the repair center they recommended that I bench test it if possible to verify that its the head unit to avoid wasting time. You can hook it up to a benchtop power supply or a car battery and a spare speaker just to confirm functionality.

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[hblock72]

Chris: I did the same thing at first as far as using a generic ground. I ended up taking the connector directly out of the back of the head unit and checking power and ground right at the connector and I had power there feeding the head unit, which is why I think it's internal to the head unit itself. The problem is that it will not power up, I push the power button and nothing happens.

Todd: The wireless remote sounds nice, but I already have holes in my boat so I'm pretty much stuck with the wired remotes. Don't want to fill the holes and don't want non-compatible remotes.

BigBoysToys: It's a Clarion M455 model. I will look into eBay as well.

 

[hblock72]

Update: I took my non-working M455 head unit to the local car audio specialty store. They sent it off and $125 later, I'm back in business. Just got it re-installed in the boat last night. I was kind of bummed about having to spend $125 on the repair when a new M303 replacement with blue tooth and all the other bells and whistles would have been $175. Problem with the M303 is that it would obsolete my wired remotes and it would have been nearly $300 to upgrade them. At least I'll have music on the water again.