Kenwood KRC-235
 

Hello,

I purchased an 95 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited.

It appears the factory radio was replaced with a Kenwood KRC-235 radio with head unit.

From the factory came with

RAAC All Radio Equipped Vehicles
RAYP AM/FM Cassette Radio w/Equalizer
RCGP 6 Speakers
RDCP Power Antenna

The Kenwood KRC-235 is an AM / FM radio cassette player with a CD option using a compatible external Kenwood CD players.

The AM / FM radio was working fine along with the cassette player. I then tried some other cassettes which played ok, however some time later the AM/FM radio tuner stopped being able to scan, plus a few other buttons such as switching between AM and FM stopped functioning.

Pushing the reset button has no effect.

A few days ago to clean the battery terminals I disconnected then reconnected the battery, but haven't tried disconnecting the battery again. The only thing I can find in the user's manual if having problems is to push the reset button.

The tape player still functions. I don't have a CD player to try a CD.

I'm wondering if this is a failing main or head unit or there are other things to try in order to diagnose or fix the problem?

After looking around I found a Service Manual with instructions on how to enter a "Test Mode"

I was able to enter a "Test Mode" then I reset the unit to get out of "Test Mode". The same problems occurred with not being able to scan however after a couple of resets and trying to get back into "Test Mode" again FM started to scan again.

The radio and head unit seem to be working again, but I'm not certain what caused the problem in the first place.

I don't really want to upgrade to another unit as it's already installed and seems to be working ok.

I would like to be able to add the external CD option however since the unit is old I'm uncertain of being able to find a compatible external cd unit.

If I do upgrade I would go with some sort of MP3 radio unit with possibly a CD player.

Instructions found to go into "Test Mode"

1. How to enter the test mode
• Reset the unit while holding the FM key and preset 6 key.
• All indication segments go ON at the beginning of the test mode.

2. How to release the test mode
• Simply reset the unit.
• (NOTE) The test mode is not canceled by ACC OFF, power OFF, momentary power down or the panel off.

3. Audio adjustment
• Set the volume level to -10dB (which is shown as "30" on the display).
• Loudness OFF.
• The BASS / TREBLE and BALANCE / FADER controls can be set to the full boost / full cut and full right / full left and full front / full rear respectively by pressing the Track Up / Track Down keys.
• Sound coordination doesn't appear for the Audio mode feed.

I haven't yet tried making any adjustments while in test mode as I'm not exactly certain what they mean or do. This system appears to have six factory installed speakers and I'm uncertain of the installation with the Kenwood KRC-235.