I just replaced the battery in my MCS and afterwards the H/K system cut out and won't run. I have an appt at Knauz tomorrow at 9:00AM but I really don't want to go since it is out of warranty and they always try to scam me out of $$. The head unit looks fine but no sound whatsoever comes out of the speakers. I have read about this on here and online and it seems like it might be the amp and just be a coincidence that it broke shortly after the battey swap. Any suggestions? I have tried to disconnect/reconnect the batttery hoping to master reset the system but that didn't work.

 

Sounds like the amp may have died.

 

My fuse box shows fuses F10 and F27 with the 'stereo' icon - could one be for the amp? I'd check them both. It's too coincidental that the amp died at the same time as the battery.
Makes more sense to spend money on a used amp then to give it to the dealership - @$140/hr here, that pays quickly for a replacement.

 

There isn't anything about a security code being entered in the manual is there? I only ask because with my wife's old car I had to enter a five digit code to get the radio to work after a battery replacement.
CHECK THOSE FUSES.

 

I figured it was the amp but I wanted to take it to MINI just to confirm it. They charged me $175 to diagnose and install the new amp. Its a scam but at least I felt better knowing that was the problem then having to figure it out by trial and error. They had the amp in stock and I left with a functioning stereo. The only problem is they tried to scam me out of my blown amp, they said it was part of the "core" charge. I didn't believe the guy so the second I got back to work I called MINI North America and asked about this so called "core" charge. They said, yes of course they can take your old equipment when they replace it and I was like you are crazy, if I went to the parts dept and purchased a new amp I wouldn't need to provide the old one! The guy got tired of talking to me so he said that he would call Knauz and see what the deal was. I talked with Mr. Thomas, apparantly the parts manager who was very appologetic and I now have the blown amp waiting for me to come pick it up. I figure I should be able to get $100 or so from eBay or here. Someone could take it apart and diagnose the short and have a spare for far less than $760 or I might send it to H/K and have them fix it. I sure as heck wasn't going to leave money on the table for KNAUZ!!

 

I just re-read my post and I want to say that I paid $175 just for diagnoses and install, the amp cost me $760.00. I'm also wondering if anyone believes that somehow by replacing the battery it shorted out the amp or if that is 100% coincidental. It is to close in time to be random but I can't see how a simple battery replacement could screw up the stereo or any system for that matter.

 

As long as you didn't replace the fuse with a .22 bullet, a properly fused circuit shouldn't have an issue. If the amp died after the new battery was installed, it's just an ugly, expensive coincidence.

 

$760 just for the amp and another $175 for diagnostic and install. Holy Crap!!!!

For that, I probably could have gone aftermarket amp.

 

fairline45, I'm sorry I never got back to you on your PM in time - I've had a crazy busy December, and there's a number of people I am amiss with on my communication. Glad to hear that your problem is resolved, but at $760 for the amp alone - ouch!

Everyone else... this is why I've been trying to sell a complete set of H/K parts in one set for $550 + shipping. Some people are interested in some of the parts (especially the amp), but nobody wants to take it all off my hands for use as spare H/K parts! When a new amp alone costs $760, and the whole set costs $1,368... $550 doesn't seem like such a bad deal, does it?

I won't sell the parts separately unless I get a buyer lined up for each of the parts. I just want the whole thing done in one shot.

 

Has anyone ever tried a Digital Power Sound Modul to Harmon Kardon install?
Sorry Edge I just had to ask.

 

Technically, no, I doubt that's happened... but, it's closest cousin, going from the Boost system to Harman/Kardon, has been done - even by a father/daughter combo who are here on NAM (their NAM handles escape me for now). There was also an official retrofit kit, although it wasn't released in the USA.

So if you do decide to uninstall the DPSM, that would be an option... but I don't think it would be worth it, quite honestly... while the H/K system is "pretty good", at that point (i.e. your car is back to the Boost system), I'd suggest going aftermarket instead of H/K - it'll be a LOT easier & cheaper, and will have better results than the H/K.

 

Thanks Edge,

If they do the uninstall, I'll probably just upgrade the speakers. I like Polk Audio, I asked about replacing a grill cloth (my cost) on a home speaker once, they just gave me a new speaker. It would be nice if all manufacturers valued their customers that much. Yes I know a 30k Cooper would be a big hit, but if you can't fix something after a year of trying, maybe they should look at the P.R. end.