Audio - CD Changer and Radio Compatibility

Group 65
Radio and Accessories



Bulletin Number
65 03 91 (3238)



Woodcliff Lake, NJ
November 1991
Product Engineering



This Service Information bulletin supersedes (orange) S.I. 65 03 91 (3238) dated August 1991. It incorporates additional information.


Please remove and discard S.I. 65 03 91 (3238) dated August 1991 from your S.I. binder.

SUBJECT:
CD Changer/Radio Compatibility

MODELS:
E34 and E36 (equipped with 1991 Alpine/Pioneer Anti-theft Radios and CD Changers)

Situation:
Certain Alpine radios go into a locked, non-functional mode when used with certain CD changers produced by Pioneer.

General Information:

Software incompatibility may occur when an Alpine radio (P/N 88 88 1 600 245 - new; P/N 88 88 1 600 246 - exchange) is used in conjunction with the Pioneer CD changer (P/N 88 88 1 600 240 - new; P/N 88 88 1 600 241 - exchange).

Correction:
Do not install above CD Changer in a vehicle equipped with above Alpine radio. Other combinations are not affected.


If a vehicle is encountered with the above mentioned incompatible combination (Alpine radio and Pioneer CD changer), replace the Alpine radio with Pioneer radio P/N 88 88 1 600 236 only.


Note:
Although the Alpine and Pioneer radios are identical in appearance, the radio manufacturer can be displayed in the dot matrix display of the radio by pressing the "PROG" and "-" buttons simultaneously, while the radio is turned ON.


If "ALPINE" appears, this radio is not compatible as noted in General Information above. If "ALPINE 2" or any other display appears, the radio should NOT be replaced. Refer to the following Additional Information.



Additional Information:

Both Alpine radios and Pioneer CD changers have been modified to correct any software compatibility problems. These new units can be combined with any new parts and are also completely compatible with old units. Such radios would display "ALPINE 2".

The incompatibility problems may still be encountered on older cars; the correction is still valid and should be used only in these cases.

Warranty Status:
Submit the Alpine radio under the terms of the current Radio Exchange Program, using special defect code 65 10 00 02 NA.

Refer to applicable flat rate manual for specific models and labor rates.