Here's the rub;

Have a TL/TW Premium Audio double din unit and I'm trying to install it into my TJ AWD.

What its not doing is asking for my security code. Instead, once powered on, it displays "ID Error" briefly before constantly flashing the LCD display with the radio frequency over and over again.

There is no radio being played at all during this. Haven't tried feeding it CD's yet, but I'm about to give that a go.... after a coffee, so if anybody thinks thats a bad idea you have about twenty minutes to stop me.

Other points to note;

Everything is plugged in correctly; all factory stuff, so I don't think I can stuff that up?
No fuses blown.
No magic smoke released
No bumps/clunks/grinds/crunches - the unit must do a test run every time its powered up from fresh? Takes about thirty seconds of trying to load CD's then stops.
I can press the "load button" and it seems willing to accept CD's; the green LED's are on.
The LCD display just wont stop flashing, regardless of which buttons are pressed
With the ignition OFF the red security LED flashes as per normal.


Any help much appreciated as always. Would be good to sort this today, will reward with free good karma.

At a guess, "ID error" is the same as saying "I need the code, please!"
As another guess, try holding down the play/pause button and the code setting bars may show up.

Someone who actually is familiar with this unit or has an owner's manual needs to chime in. (Goes off looking for his TL manual. Anything for some good Karma. lol)

Nope, no good. The TL double DIN one should put up "CODE" when you switch it on. So not the same as the one you have. Out of a TW or KW? Perhaps a photo may be useful here?

At a guess, "ID error" is the same as saying "I need the code, please!"
As another guess, try holding down the play/pause button and the code setting bars may show up.

Someone who actually is familiar with this unit or has an owner's manual needs to chime in.

I'll duck out and give this a shot.

I've found my TL Owners booklet and it tells me the security code screen should be the first thing I see.

I did try holding the display button down for a couple of seconds as this is whats suggested in my TJ owners booklet (for a different unit).

**UPDATE**

I have radio. LCD display still flashing. Still havent been asked for security code.

About to try adjusting the clock in the head unit... and, maybe try a CD

I did a bit of a search, and found nothing like the error that you are experiencing...

One thing I did see, but did not know prior, is that holding down the power button for longer than 6 seconds, resets some units.

Or, what I was tempted to post in the first place, was pull the fuse or disconnect the harness for a good while. ( short of disconnecting the battery).

Hope you sort it, skapper...

Okay, think I found something to try.

Reading the TL owners booklet;

"If the security code entered matches the factory preset security code, the unit will return to normal operation. If the security code entered is incorrect. "Err: will appear in the display (3), enter the correct security code and the unit will return to normal operation. Should an incorrect security code be entered 3 times, "Err3" will be appear in the display (3). The audio unit must then remain connected to power for 1 hour before another attempt to enter the security code can be made. The audio unit must remain connected to power during this waiting time"

But, that doesnt help me much as it appears to be working WITHOUT the security code? About to go try a CD and set the clock.

If the unit is actually the one shown in the TL owner's handbook, the "one hour wait" with power on might do the trick. Don't switch off or disconnect fuses/battery, the 1 hour wait would still apply when you power up.

. . . . could just be a dud unit . . . . . just sayin':io:

I really hate those old units. Outdated security precautions that are from the old days when these units were actually worth stealing, no MP3/USB/Aux/bluetooth, etc. I'd rather put in a current aftermarket unit, but each to his own. Chances are you will find the CD unit not working properly, my standard TJ and TL units were junked for that reason. Hope you get it working anyway.

If the unit is actually the one shown in the TL owner's handbook, the "one hour wait" with power on might do the trick. Don't switch off or disconnect fuses/battery, the 1 hour wait will still apply when you power up.

. . . . could just be a dud unit . . . . . just sayin':io:

I'm patiently waiting for my one hour.

Though I did try play a couple of CD's - no go. I get an error that, according to the book, that the CD is unreadable. Going to try a burnt CD....

Cannot set the clock either.

After I try this CD I'll see how many coffees I can drink in an hour.

I really hate those old units. Outdated security precautions that are from the old days when these units were actually worth stealing, no MP3/USB/Aux/bluetooth, etc. I'd rather put in a current aftermarket unit, but each to his own. Chances are you will find the CD unit not working properly, my standard TJ and TL units were junked for that reason. Hope you get it working anyway.

Yeah, I like the idea of having all the bells & whistles to (MP3, Bluetooth etc) but I wanted a factory look and a unit that "just worked" with my steering wheel audio controls. Car audio isn't a big thing in on my list of priorities as far as mods go.

I'm patiently waiting for my one hour.

Though I did try play a couple of CD's - no go. I get an error that, according to the book, that the CD is unreadable. Going to try a burnt CD....

Cannot set the clock either.

After I try this CD I'll see how many coffees I can drink in an hour.

Hope it's a good quality coffee. lol
If, by some miracle, you get it working, check that the CD player plays all tracks correctly. My TJ and TL both started skipping on inner tracks, ok on outer tracks. In the bin they went. lol I do miss the standard factory look of the TL one though.

If you have the steering wheel controls plugged in, try the unit with that unplugged. It may be the cause of your ID error. Wait for the 1 hour time to expire though.

Hope it's a good quality coffee.
If, by some miracle, you get it working, check that the CD player plays all tracks correctly. My TJ and TL both started skipping on inner tracks, ok on outer tracks. In the bin they went. I do miss the standard factory look of the TL one though.

Its not playing CD's yet. Just tried a burnt CD - nope. But, its still "trying" to play them. Thats a positive?

The coffee is always good, fortunately, as it looks like I'll be twiddling my thumbs for an hour at this stage.

If you have the steering wheel controls plugged in, try the unit with that unplugged. It may be the cause of your ID error - tried this already.

- tried this already.

Ah, yes, but you didn't wait 1 hour for that error to clear. lol I hope it is unplugged from the wheel controls while you are waiting.

Enjoy!

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2xxi0W8ETGg/TyfFWfVu_GI/AAAAAAAAEyE/wQvD46Xp-0Y/s1600/coffee_art.jpg

http://imgur.com/g6E1zYN

Image for reference.

I've set a timer for an hour now... leaving the ignition in the "ACC" position. I havent unplugged the audio controls though (dammit(, but will give that a shot if this fails.

My coffee, while that good, lacks the pretty imagery.

. . . . off to make myself a coffee . . . .

Back in an hour or so. lol

An hour later - still no go. Still not asking for a security code. Still flashing the LCD display.

Bummed out :/

An hour later - still no go. Still not asking for a security code. Still flashing the LCD display.

Bummed out :/

Seriously, have you no patience? lol

Disconnect the steering wheel controls, disconnect battery, wait, reconnect, if still same, try another hour. lol

To eliminate any possible wiring issues I just tried my old Kenwood HU in the car - works fine. Previous to this there was a Scneider HU in there, I thought maybe some wiring got swapped around - trns out thats not the issue either.

The audio controls are not on the car. I'm referring to the connection at the back of the HU.

The HU is out now.... I've talked myself into just shunting the Kenwood unit in there until next weekend, maybe I'll have another crack at it then.

Have you ever seen the TL head unit working? Just wondering if it was like that before you got it?

Have you ever seen the TL head unit working? Just wondering if it was like that before you got it?

Good point. It may be defective.
If you paid good money for it, take it back. Otherwise, just bin it.

I didn't see it working no... but, I have good faith in the seller.

Could've gotten a bump in transit? Its an odd fault, I'd have thought it would've been a complete failure, not this odd ball thing its doing now.

They are supposed to be bump proof. After all, they live in a bumpy environment.

Seller probably took it out of a wrecked car and has no idea if it works or not. If he is a reasonable person he will take it back. (and bin it)

Did I mention I hate second hand car radios? Now you know why. lol I put them in the same category as spark plugs, oil, filters, disc pads - never buy second hand.

They are supposed to be bump proof. After all, they live in a bumpy environment.

Seller probably took it out of a wrecked car and has no idea if it works or not. If he is a reasonable person he will take it back. (and bin it)

Did I mention I hate second hand car radios? Now you know why. lol I put them in the same category as spark plugs, oil, filters, disc pads - never buy second hand.

Yup... I understand that to some degree. A head unit I'd give a second chance though. Remember I'm keen to keep things "factory" looking.

I've contacted the person I bought it from, if we can work something out I might still give everything one more shot... with another S/H Premium Audio HU :P

After that I'll try something else.