Jensen VR185 Owner's Manual

Introduction

Thank you for choosing a Jensen product. We hope you will find the instructions in this owner's manual clear and easy to follow. If you take a few minutes to look through it, you'll learn how to use all the features of your new Jensen receiver for maximum enjoyment.

System Features

The Jensen VR185 mobile audio system features include:

• PLL Synthesizer Stereo Radio
• Sirius-Ready Satellite Radio Function
• Automatic Memory Storing
• Fixed Front Panel
• Preset Equalization
• Electronic Shockproof (ESP) Function
• Digital Compact Disc Player
• Auto-Reverse Cassette Player
• CD Changer Control
• Auxiliary Input Function
• Remote Control

Installation

Tools and Supplies

The following tools and supplies are needed to install the unit:

• Torx type, Flat and Phillips screwdrivers
• Wire cutters and strippers
• Tools to remove existing radio (screwdriver, socket wrench set or other tools)
• Electrical tape
• Crimping tool
• Volt meter/test light
• Crimp connections
• 18 gauge wire for power connections
• 16-18 gauge speaker wire

Speaker Requirements: Only connect speakers rated in the load impedance of 4 ohms. Speakers with a load impedance less than 4 ohms could damage the unit.

Choosing a Mounting Location

The following tips will help you determine the best location for mounting the unit:

• Select a location that does not interfere with the normal functions of the driver and will not cause injury to the driver or a passenger in the event of a sudden stop or other emergency.
• Do not install the unit in a location that would subject it to high temperatures (such as in direct sunlight or next to a heating unit), dust, dirt or excessive vibration.
• Install the unit in a horizontal position if at all possible. If the installation angle exceeds 30 degrees from the horizontal, the unit may not function optimally.
• If the installation requires the drilling of holes or other vehicle modifications, consult the nearest dealer for assistance.
• Before completing installation of the unit, connect the wiring temporarily to ensure that the unit operates properly in the selected mounting location.

Mounting the Sleeve

Insert the sleeve into the opening of the dashboard, and bend open the appropriate tabs with a screwdriver to secure the sleeve in place.

Diagram Description: A diagram shows a sleeve being inserted into a dashboard opening, with a screwdriver being used to bend tabs to secure it.

Installing the Unit

Once the sleeve has been mounted, reconnect the wiring harness and the antenna, taking care not to pinch any wires or cables. Slide the unit into the sleeve until it locks into place. To further secure the unit, use the supplied mounting screw and installation bracket to secure the back of the unit in place. Guide the mounting screw through the dashboard, then attach the installation bracket to the back of the unit.

Diagram Description: A diagram shows the unit being slid into the mounted sleeve, with wires and an antenna cable connected. Another diagram shows a mounting screw being guided through the dashboard to attach to the unit's bracket.

Disconnect Battery

Before you begin, turn off the vehicle ignition and disconnect the battery negative terminal.

Reconnect Battery

To complete the installation, reconnect the battery negative terminal.

Removing the Unit

To remove the unit at any time after the initial installation, turn the vehicle ignition off and disconnect the battery negative terminal. Remove the installation bracket on the back of the unit. Insert the removal keys through the holes on the front panel with the notches facing up. Press keys into the appropriate slots as far as they will go, then pull the unit out of the dashboard.

Diagram Description: A diagram shows the removal keys being inserted into the front panel of the unit to release it from the sleeve.

Wiring

The wiring diagram depicts all the wiring connections required for operation of the unit.

Diagram Description: A wiring diagram shows the unit's rear panel connectors (16-pin power/speaker, SIRIUS CONNECTOR, CDC CONNECTOR, SENSOR SOCKET, I.R REMOTE, AUX IN CABLE) and their connections to vehicle components and external sources.

Wiring Chart

Basic Operation

Diagram Description: A front view of the Jensen VR185 unit is shown with numbered buttons corresponding to the operations described below.

1. Power

Press the power button (1) or any other button on the front of the radio (except the eject button) to turn the unit on. Press the power button again to turn the unit off.

2. Mode

Press MOD (2) to select a different mode of operation as indicated on the display panel. Available modes include Radio, CD, CDC and Cassette. CD and Cassette modes will only appear in the menu if a CD or cassette is loaded. CD changer mode (CDC) will only appear if a CD changer is connected to the unit.

3. Audio Mute

Press MUT (3) momentarily to mute the audio volume. Press MUT again to restore volume to the previous setting.

4. Volume

To increase the volume, rotate the volume control (4) clockwise. To decrease the volume, rotate the volume control counter clockwise.

5. Sound Adjustment

Press PUSH/AUDIO (5) to step through the following sound adjustment options: BAS (bass), TRE (treble), BAL (balance) and FAD (fader). When the desired option appears in the display, rotate the volume control to adjust that audio feature. When no adjustments have been made for five seconds, the unit will resume normal operation.

6. Equalizer Selector

The equalizer function applies preset sound effects to the unit's audio output signal. Press EQ (6) to step through the following equalizer options: Flat, Jazz, Rock, Pop, Classical and Vocal. The equalizer options will appear in the display as they are accessed.

7. Display Priority/Setting the Clock

Press T/F (7) momentarily to change the information displayed by the unit from mode-specific information (radio frequency, CD track number, etc.) to the clock display. Press T/F again to return to the default display.

The T/F button is also used to set the clock to the correct time. Press and hold T/F to enter into clock set mode. When the time flashes on the display, rotate the volume control to adjust the hours. When finished, press T/F again and rotate the volume control to adjust the minutes. When no adjustments have been made for five seconds, the unit will resume normal operation.

8. Auxiliary Input

Press AUX (8) to enter auxiliary mode when a portable audio device is connected to the unit through the AUX IN cable on the back panel.

9. Reset

Use a ballpoint pen or other thin metal object to press the reset button (9) to reset the unit under the following circumstances: after the completion of initial installation/wiring, if none of the function buttons work or if an error symbol appears in the display.

10. Recover Initial Value

To restore all factory settings, press and hold MOD until "EEP INIT" appears in the display.

Radio Operation

Diagram Description: A front view of the Jensen VR185 unit is shown with numbered buttons corresponding to the operations described below.

11. Select a Band

Press BND (11) to change between three FM bands and two AM bands. Each band stores up to six preset stations. When operating the unit in Satellite, CD, CDC or Cassette mode, press BND to immediately access radio mode.

12. Tuning

Manual Tuning: Press CH/TUNE up (12a) or down (12b) for less than three seconds to move the radio frequency number up or down one step.

Seek Tuning: Press CH/TUNE up or down for more than three seconds to move to next station automatically.

13. Preset Stations

Six numbered preset buttons store and recall stations for each band.

Store a Station: Select a band (if needed), then select a station. Hold a preset button (13) for three seconds. The preset number will appear in the display.

Recall a Station: Select a band (if needed). Press a preset button momentarily to select the corresponding stored station.

14. Automatically Store / Preset Scan

Automatically Store: To automatically select six strong stations and store them in the current band, select a band (if needed) and press AMS (14) for more than three seconds. The new stations replace stations already stored in that band.

Preset Scan: To scan stations stored in the current band, select a band (if needed) and press AMS for less than three seconds. The unit will pause for ten seconds at each preset station. Press AMS again to stop scanning when the desired station is reached.

15. Weather Band Operation

Press WB (15) to access the weather band mode, which features NOAA seven-frequency broadcast. The unit will automatically search all seven frequencies and select the strongest station. To change the channel manually, momentarily press CH/TUNE up or down to move to the next or previous of the seven channels. Channels 1-6 can also be accessed by momentarily pressing the corresponding preset button (1-6).

CD Player Operation

Diagram Description: A front view of the Jensen VR185 unit is shown with numbered buttons corresponding to the operations described below.

16. Insert and Eject CD

Insert a CD label-side up into the CD slot (16a), and the disc will begin to play. Press the eject button (16b) to stop CD play and eject the CD.

17. Pause

Press PAUSE (17) to suspend disc play. Press PAUSE again to resume disc play.

18. Track Select

Press CH/TUNE up or down (18a or 18b) for less than one second to advance to the next or previous track on the CD. The selected track number will appear on the display. Press CH/TUNE up or down for more than one second to fast forward or fast reverse through the disc. CD play starts when the button is released.

19. Repeat (RPT)

Press RPT (19) during disc play to continuously repeat the selected track. Press RPT again to stop repeating.

20. Intro Scan (SCAN)

During disc play, press SCAN (20) to play the first 10 seconds to each track on the disc. When the desired track is reached, press SCAN again to end the scan and play the selected track.

21. Random Shuffle (SHUF)

Press SHUF (21) during disc play to play all tracks on a CD in random, shuffled order. Press SHUF again to stop random play.

CD Changer Operation

Refer to the owner's manual included with the CD changer for instructions on installing, loading and using the CD magazine. When accessing CDC mode, disc play will begin with the first CD that the unit detects, and the disc and track numbers will be shown in the display.

22. Disc Select

To select the desired disc for play, press CAT/DISC up (22a) to advance to a higher disc or CAT/DISC down (22b) to return to a lower disc. The number of the disc in play will appear on the display.

23. Other Features

Pause, Track Select, Repeat, Intro Scan and Random Shuffle features during CDC operation are accessed using the same methods as for regular disc play. Refer to the CD Player Operation section of this manual for details.

24. Notes on Discs

• Attempting to use non-standard shape discs may damage the unit. Use only round CDs.
• Do not stick paper, tape or any other substance to either side of the CD, as it may cause the disc to malfunction.
• Protect CDs from dirt, dust, scratches and warping, as these may cause malfunction.
• This unit cannot play a CD-R or CD-RW that is not finalized. Refer to the manual for the CD-R/CD-RW recorder or software for information on the finalization process.
• Depending on the recording status, recording equipment and disc conditions, some CD-R and CD-RW discs may not play on this unit.
• For optimal performance, use CD-R discs with speeds 1x to 8x with write speed 1x to 2x. Use CD-RW discs with speeds 1x to 4x with write speed 1x to 2x. Do not play CD-RW discs that have been written more than five times.

Cassette Operation

Diagram Description: A front view of the Jensen VR185 unit is shown with numbered buttons corresponding to the operations described below.

24. Insert and Eject Cassette

Hold the cassette with the exposed tape edge of the side to be played to the right, and insert the cassette into the cassette door (24a). Press the eject button (24b) to stop cassette play and eject the cassette.

25. Change Playback Direction

Press both program buttons (25a and 25b) simultaneously to change the playback direction.

26. Fast Forward/Rewind

Press the program button with the double arrows facing in the same direction as the direction indicator on the LCD to fast forward the cassette. Press the opposite program button to rewind the cassette. Normal play will resume when the program button is released.

Remote Control

Optional handheld and steering wheel remotes allow remote access of the unit's main functions.

Diagram Description: An image of a remote control with various buttons labeled.

Sirius Satellite Radio Operation

Diagram Description: A front view of the Jensen VR185 unit is shown with numbered buttons corresponding to the operations described below.

27. Select Sirius Mode

To access Sirius satellite radio functions, press SAT (27) momentarily.

28. User Preset Channel Selection

While in Sirius mode, navigate the three options in the user-preset channel group by momentarily pressing BND (28) to move to the next option. User preset channels include SR1, SR2 and SR3.

29. User Preset Channel Search

Press AMS (29) to search for each user preset channel from SR1 to SR2 to SR3 and stop at each available channel for five seconds. Press AMS again to stop on the current channel.

30. Channel Selection

Momentarily press CH/TUNE up or down (30a or 30b) to advance to the next or previous channel. The unit will automatically skip over invalid channels and channels selected as "skip channels" (see Set Skip Channels on page 15).

31. Category/Channel Search

To search the available music categories, momentarily press CAT/DISC up or down (31a or 31b). When the desired category is found, search for a specific channel by momentarily pressing CH/TUNE up or down. The current channel will continue to play during a category/channel search. When the desired channel is found, press ENTER (31c) to access the channel.

32. Preset Channels

To store favorite channels for quick access, select the desired channel, then press and hold the desired preset button (1-6) (32) until the corresponding number appears in the display. To recall a preset station, momentarily press the corresponding preset button.

33. Sirius Mode Selection

While in Sirius satellite radio mode, press SAT to select from three available modes: Normal, Direct Tune and Set Skip Channel. Display the 12-digit Sirius ID number by pressing ENTER immediately after entering Direct Tune mode (while "000" appears in the display). Press T/F (33) to scroll through the display. To resume normal operation after accessing the Sirius ID, press any button except T/F.

Direct Tune: Use direct tune mode to select a channel directly by entering the three-digit channel number. When direct tune mode is accessed, "000" will appear in the display with the digit representing the "hundreds" value flashing. Press CH/TUNE up or down to select the value of the "hundreds" digit. Press SAT to confirm selection, and the digit representing the "tens" value will flash. Press CH/TUNE up or down to select the value of the "tens" digit. Press SAT to confirm, and the digit representing the "ones" digit will flash. Press CH/TUNE up or down to select the value of the "ones" digit. Press ENTER to access the station, or the unit will search automatically after several seconds.

Set Skip Channel: To select a channel to be skipped during channel searches, access Set Skip Channel mode and select the channel to be skipped by pressing CH/TUNE up or down. When the desired channel is found, press ENTER to confirm and the "SKIP" icon will flash in the display. Use the same process to release a channel that is currently skipped. When finished, press SAT to return to Normal mode, or the unit will automatically revert to Normal in 10 seconds. Note: While skipped channels will be skipped during channel searches, they can be accessed during channel selection by pressing CH/TUNE up or down.

Troubleshooting

The following table lists common problems, their possible causes, and corrective actions.

Ignition and Interference Noise

Ignition Noise

The most common source of noise in reception is the ignition system, due to the fact that the radio is placed relatively close to the ignition system (engine). This type of noise can be easily detected because it will vary in intensity of pitch with the speed of the engine. Generally, the ignition noise can be suppressed considerably by using a radio suppression high-voltage ignition wire and suppressor resistor in the ignition system. Additional noise suppressors may also be used and can be obtained from most CB/amateur radio or electronic supply stores.

Interference Noise

Radio reception in a moving environment is very different from stationary reception. For example, AM reception will deteriorate when passing through a tunnel or under high-voltage lines. Also, noise can be picked up from passing vehicles. Although AM is subject to interference, it has the ability to be received at great distances because the broadcasting signals follow the curvature of the earth and are reflected back by the upper atmosphere.

System Maintenance

The following maintenance tips will extend the life and optimize the performance of the unit:

• Keep the unit dry. If it is exposed to moisture, wipe it dry immediately. Liquids may contain minerals that can corrode the electronic circuits.
• Keep the unit away from dust and dirt, which can cause premature wear of parts.
• Handle the unit carefully; dropping it can damage circuit boards and cases, causing the product to malfunction.
• Clean the unit occasionally by wiping it with a damp cloth. Do not use harsh chemicals, cleaning solvents or strong detergents to clean the product.
• Use and store the unit only in mild temperature environments. High temperatures can shorten the life of electronic products, damage batteries and distort/melt plastic parts.

Tape Head and Capstan Cleaning

Periodic cleaning of the tape head and capstan shaft will ensure good reproduction of music and trouble-free operation. Clean the tape head every 20-30 hours of operation or when the high tones have become less clear.

• Use a cassette-cleaning cartridge if available or use a cotton swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol.
• While holding the tape door open, locate the tape head to the right of the opening and in the center of the unit.
• Clean the tape head with the cotton swab.
• Clean the capstans and the pinch rollers with the cotton swab.
• Allow the tape head, capstans and pinch rollers to dry before operating.
• Do not touch the tape with your fingers. If it becomes loose, wind it back by twisting a pencil in the cassette reel.

Specifications

Specifications subject to change without notice.

Limited Warranty

90 Day/12 Month Limited Warranty

AUDIOVOX SPECIALIZED APPLICATIONS, LLC (the Company) warrants to the original retail purchaser of this product that should this product or any part thereof, under normal use and conditions, be proven defective in material or workmanship within 90 days from the date of original purchase, such defect(s) will be repaired or replaced (at the Company's option) without charge for parts and repair labor. After the initial 90 day period and for a period of 12 months from the date of the original purchase, the Company will supply at no charge a replacement for any defective part(s).

To obtain repair or replacement within the terms of this warranty, the end user should contact the O.E.M. The product is to be delivered to the OEM or original place of purchase, with proof of warranty coverage (e.g. dated bill of sale, and serial number of the unit, and vin#), specification of defect(s), transportation prepaid, to an approved warranty station. This warranty does not extend to the elimination of externally generated static or noise, to the correction of antenna problems, to costs incurred for removal or reinstallation of the product, or to damage to any tapes, cd's, dvd's, speakers, accessories, or electrical systems. This warranty does not apply to any product or part thereof which, in the opinion of the Company, has been damaged through alteration, improper installation, mishandling, misuse, neglect, or accident. THE EXTENT OF THE COMPANY'S LIABILITY UNDER THIS WARRANTY IS LIMITED TO THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT PROVIDED ABOVE, AND, IN NO EVENT, SHALL THE COMPANY'S LIABILITY EXCEED THE PURCHASE PRICE PAID BY THE PURCHASER FOR THE PRODUCT.

This warranty is in lieu of all other express warranties or liabilities. ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE DURATION OF THIS WARRANTY. ANY ACTION FOR BREECH OF ANY WARRANTY HEREUNDER INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY MUST BE BROUGHT WITHIN A PERIOD OF 30 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF ORIGINAL PURCHASE. IN NO CASE SHALL THE COMPANY BE LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES FOR BREECH OF THIS OR ANY OTHER WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WHATSOEVER. No person or representative is authorized to assume for the Company any liability other that expressed herein in connection with the sale of this product.

Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.