2003 MCS
Harman Kardon

Sound suddenly stopped as if a mute button were pressed. This is in all
modes (AM/FM/CD/Aux). The radio remains powered as normal however and
switches through all modes (AM/FM/CD/Aux) per normal. But no sound...not
even a hum when volume **** cranked up.

The only other symptom is that the special Harman Kardon sound quality
options menu (Mini h/k, Spatial, Electronic, Instrumental, Festival) is
gone. So is the ³Driver² function.

These symptoms lead me to believe the Harman Kardon amp has malfunctioned.

Any one have this problem in the past?

Thank you,

Sean

 

Never mind...I just found all the other posts from all the others people with this identical problem. It must be the amp.

So, let me guess, despite this being a known and frequent problem, MINI USA has not yet felt any sort of obligation to recall or cover the replacement cost for those of us outside of warranty.

$760 plus labor!!!! They have got to be f-ing kidding. It was a $550 option to begin with!!!!!!

Anyone ever gotten anywhere with MINI USA on this travesty on an individual basis? I think I will try.

BTW, my car is five years old but has just 17,000 miles. This whole thing stinks.

 

I was wrong...the amp is not $760...

I was just quoted by my local dealer...get ready...$1209.14!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

MINI have got to be out of their minds.

I'll ask again, short of replacement with aftermarket, how have people dealt with this?

I'm working on repair through H/K but no real progress yet. Any other proven solutions from those who have dealt with this?

 

I understand it's not your preference, but if I were you I would think about going after-market replacement for your HK. For a reasonable price you can get all the modern bells/whistles ... HD radio, iPOD, iPOD tagging, USB input, Blue-tooth, etc. If you go to Crutchfield.com you can input you car type and see what fits your model MINI. Sounds like an opportunity. And Crutchfield gives you great car-specific DIY instructions.

If you want to stay with your HK head unit, an adviser at Crutchfield.com can probably fix you up with a good after-market replacement AMP. I use a sony amp at home that has all the special effects like a HK one, they just label them differently.

No, I don't work for them or have the stock - I've just had good experience buying from them.

You might find this site interesting .... there is a link on how to DIY an after-market amp to your HK head unit (no special effects-not a digital link, but it would get you going again)
http://www.geekshocker.com/Claire/aMods.php

 

I had the same trouble with my HK system. I found a genius radio tech that just repaired the trigger circuit. $100.00

 

Replaced Amp...all happy again.

 

What is the 'trigger circuit?' Do you think that explains most H/K amp failures?

 

Trigger circuit?? I said he was the genius, not me. I'm an electrical idiot! I found him through the local Car-Fi place. They send all of their weird radios to him.

 

ive got a name of a contact at harman kardon that i will be contacting on monday for those who are in the uk on here. will post up results after speaking with them

 

I'll be interested in what he has to say. I'm having other problems now. I checked and it's not a simple matter to replace the system with after market equipment. Everything, including speakers needs to replaced.

 

heard the same matey, i think its and absolute **** take that you pay for a sound upgrade and it goes **** up. bmw / mini uk have been really helpful up to now and i am booked in with them for the 12th Nov. If H/K direct cannot help then ill see what bmw have to say.

According to their specialist mini dealerships they havent heard of too many problems such as this??? Same with mini customer services... not sure if they are trying to play it down, but will go down the complaints procedure if they do not agree to replace free of charge regardless of whether im still in warranty or not, it simply shouldnt happen.

will take a few thread postings with me as well to show them it is a common problem to avoid them trying to squeeze out.

 

spoke to HK direct today in the uk. guy was very nice, but stated that when they design these systems for the manufacturer theyre hands are tied, due to the fact they arent given any technical data and its contracted that way.

said he would bring it up again at a managers conference call meeting as a refurb / repair service would be give bmw clients a better service. rather than bending them over a barrel as they do as present by offering them a new one at extortionate cost.

 

Seems I am in this club too. Battery died and following replacement, my H/K now produces no sound. Started as a random but regular problem - sound would konk out in the front then the rear finally ending up with nothing for a few minutes. The back on for a bit, then off....

Now nada comes out. Head unit works fine.

Any referrals for repair appreciated as I would like to keep the OEM controls and features.