Pioneer head unit - how to disable the annoying background?

[dmjw01]

Hi folks...

I'm not sure, but I suspect the Pioneer head unit fitted to my '99 Chimaera 450 might be the factory original. It has a multi-coloured display that has some intensely annoying animated backgrounds!

I've figured out how to change the animation, and naturally I've selected "none". This had the effect of making the background go plain black - "brilliant", I thought!

That was, until about 30 seconds later the background went white for no apparent reason. And 30 seconds later, back to black. It keeps flipping back and forth between black and white backgrounds, which is possibly even more annoying than the animation - especially at night.

Does anyone know (a) whether this sounds like the factory original unit (don't know the model number I'm afraid...), and (b) whether it's possible to make the background stay permanently plain black?

Also, a supplementary question... The radio receives nothing, nada, zip... except when I'm within range of an extremely powerful local radio signal. So I get no national radio at all. This has the advantage of not picking up Chris Moyles' show on Radio 1, but occasionally I do like to listen to the radio. Does anyone know where the antenna is normally located?

Thanks in advance!

__
David

Edited by dmjw01 on Monday 6th December 14:42

[spend]

Pioneer put the model number on the front and you should be able to google for an operational manual on-line. Sounds like an OEL model so should have a remote as well, rather than confuse you with how I change mine (even if I remembered correctly ) you'll be better off with manual (which should give correct directions using the front panel or remote).

[hughandjenny]

Hi
I have a 1998 450 mine has an Alpine unit, but I did manage do download a manual for the kenwood that as in my old porsche. Just google it

[thetapeworm]

A vague reply but I had one in an old car and you turned off the mode you describe by holding down "ENT" when you powered it on.

[Barkychoc]

thetapeworm said:

A vague reply but I had one in an old car and you turned off the mode you describe by holding down "ENT" when you powered it on.

Yes I seem to remember something like that worked on mine.

[Cider Andy]

Mine's a '99 model and came to me with the factory-original Pioneer stereo (KEH-P4800R), but it doesn't have such a background. That's not to say yours isn't factory-fit, mind...

Antenna is an amplified unit mounted in the windscreen surround. Unless the Pioneer's faulty, either the amp's failed or it's a wiring problem. Have you checked the antenna connector is properly plugged in?

[900T-R]

I'd say the Pioneer in your '99 Chim is a lot newer than the OE fitted one (which were fairly basic unit units, mostly one or two models up from the bottom of the range at best, anyway) - which is likely to have no more than a regular LCD display.

[dmjw01]

Thanks for all the replies.

I have got the manual, but it doesn't go into much detail about the various settings that can be changed in the menu system. I'll definitely try that trick with the "Ent" button, if there is one! I'll also have a look and see if the antenna is properly connected.

[eff eff]

Mine did the same as yours really annoying at night, I couldn't stop it so I replaced it, good luck with yours

[Ribol]

Why not just ring up Pioneer Technical and ask them, if it can be done they will know.

[dmjw01]

That's a very good idea. Will do that!

[Pupp]

It's a 'demo' mode.... on mine it is disabled by holding down one of the numeric buttons along the bottom (think it's '5') for a second or two with the unit turned off but ign on

[dmjw01]

Well, I've finally managed to figure it out!

When I initially read the manual, I had no idea WTF the following paragraph was talking about...

Pioneer DEH-P8600MP manual said:

Using reverse mode
If you do not perform an operation within about 30 seconds, screen indications start to reverse, and then continue reversing every 10 seconds.
You can turn the reverse mode on or off...

This bit of Chinglish doesn't really capture the idea of the whole screen inverting from black to white, so I didn't associate it with my problem. But following the instructions to switch "reverse mode" off solves the problem.

Why on earth would you want this feature??

Oh well...

(By the way, mine is a Pioneer DEH-P8600MP.)

__
David

Edited by dmjw01 on Friday 10th December 19:19