Zenec Z-E3726 no sound - time for change?

[DoroDormobile]

We seem to be following the Hymer grand masterplan to get to know your motorhome. I have the airbag ecu badge and the headlight wiring loom badge (x2). I am currently working on the habitation door spring badge After our winter layup we set off for a couple of weeks in France and on turning on the radio found we had no sound. At least all the cameras were working normally so ignore the issue until we got back. The head unit is the (un)trusty old Zenec Z-E3726. I have tried a hard reset - no joy. Managed to prise the head unit out of the dash and unplugging all of the leads but no joy. Having checkd various threads on MHF I realise I am not alone and also that the general consensus is that it is time for a replacement. I don't have any relevant skills - well I did fit a couple of car stereos about 30 years ago when things were munch simpler. I once sold a car stereo with a removable faceplate and then heard that after the buyers had fitted it their car had been broken into and the faceplate stolen. I told them to look in the bins nearby and they found it again! But I digress.

I am tempted by some of the upgrade kits sold by Dynamic Sounds and wondered if any forum members had used these successfully. My first problem is that the same stereos appear to be sold as part of different upgrade kits for the 2105-21 Ducato. I will ring them but woould welcome advice on the right questions to ask. The non-negotiable is that the rear camera functions as it does now. The like to have is that can use all of the cameras as I can now and that the steering wheel controls work and that the radio and TV work normally. Our motorhome is a Hymer Exsis i588 - 2018 reg but probably 2017 build on a Fiat Ducato LHD base.

Advice also welcomed on headunits that work well - tempted by Kenwood DMX5020DABS or Pioneer SPH-DA160DAB or JVC KW-M560BT . Would consider Sony XAV-AX3250 but that is single DIN and dash already butchered for a Double DIN. We are not huge audiophiles so ease of use and installation more important.

If anyone knows a quick fix to restore sound to current Zenec Z-E3726 or how to check anything else in case it is not a problem with the head unit please let me know.

 

[Abacist]

Our Zenec always reverts to the sound level originally set in memory. If you have unintentionally set the volume at zero it might be doing that every time you switch it on. It drives me mad as our volume is usually required at 20 but it comes on at 6 and is inaudible. It’s buried in settings somewhere and the manual is a huge volume so I just crank up the volume control every time I switch it on! Hope this helps!

 

[DoroDormobile]

I have checked all the sound settings and these are back to factory reset values and should be ok. When try to increase volume it makes no difference. Sat nav, TV and playing phone through blue tooth - no sound from any of these. Also checked with remote and made no difference.

 

[Abgs]

Does your Hymer have the audio system that plays your TV sound through the cab speakers ? If so the DSP controller box might need a reset. I seem to to remember this happening on my 2018 Hymer Exsis-I 588.

The DSP is located under the rhd side storage box, under the window, next to the drivers seat. There was a panel in the bottom of the storage box that allowed access to the DSP.

Then there is a reset button to press on the DSP unit.

If you search back through my posts to 2020 - 2021 I may have written up the procedure.

 

[Abgs]

Look here

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[Abgs]

Ha … you have my old Exsis! That’s my knee in your profile picture ! That pic was taken in a lay-by just outside Chesterfield on the road to Baslow.

 

[Speve]

We have a 2018 Hymer B678DL and had all of the problems described I discovered the sound problem was the Caratec PP85 which is in the Passenger side panel very hard to get to it was defective Hymer were no help at all so I sent it to Caratec in Germany who said they had tested it and it was OK. Never did get it to work and the sound was being blocked by it so I took it out and connected the loom at the plug ends to make a circuit and hey prest I had sound.
I’m still not happy with it but could find no headset that was compatible with the Hymer system and the Schaudt RAD 1 radio adaptor.
I did try a pioneer headset that partially worked however the camera system was crap using it so I refitted the Zenec and still put up with its hissy fits until I can find a compatible replacement

 

[DoroDormobile]

Hi, great to hear from you Abgs. I wondered why other people complained about the sound and we were quite happy with it. Pity you didn't replace the Zenec when you were doing all the other work! Will check out the caratec reset. Finding it is one thing finding the reset button another.

 

[Speve]

I would be very interested if you find something that works with the cameras (I have three on our van all connected to the Zenec via the Schaudt adaptor.

 

[DoroDormobile]

PS, thanks for the photo Abgs hope you don't mind us using it as our avatar. We have had a lot of fun in the Exsis over the last two years, despite all the little challenges it has thrown up. Hope the replacement has been as much fun with a lot less bother!!

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[Abgs]

Hi, great to hear from you Abgs. I wondered why other people complained about the sound and we were quite happy with it. Pity you didn't replace the Zenec when you were doing all the other work! Will check out the caratec reset. Finding it is one thing finding the reset button another.

I will have a picture of it on my desktop pc but I’m not at home for a few weeks.

I seem to remember that the acess panel in the below window storage box base comes out with a couple of screw and then the dsp is visible.

Feel free to pm me.

 

[Speve]

I seem to remember that the acess panel in the below window storage box base comes out with a couple of screw and then the dsp is visible.

Feel free to pm me

DoroDormobile Yes it’s visible but a right bugger to get at or see the buttons and connections I ended up removing the side panel to get a look at the DSP.

 

[DoroDormobile]

DoroDormobile Yes it’s visible but a right bugger to get at or see the buttons and connections I ended up removing the side panel to get a look at the DSP.

I will have a picture of it on my desktop pc but I’m not at home for a few weeks.

I seem to remember that the acess panel in the below window storage box base comes out with a couple of screw and then the dsp is visible.

Feel free to pm me.

I have managed to get the base out of the storage box and have a look at the DSP. The status light is flashing red which doesn't look like a good sign. I tried pushing something into the control button next to it but wasn't sure if it was a button or a light. it hasn't made any difference. I did manage to get the photos attached. Ideally need to find the manual.

There probably isn't much point in looking to replace the head unit until I work out whether the DSP is the problem or not.

 

[StillGoing]

Advice also welcomed on headunits that work well - tempted by Kenwood DMX5020DABS or Pioneer SPH-DA160DAB or JVC KW-M560BT . Would consider Sony XAV-AX3250 but that is single DIN and dash already butchered for a Double DIN. We are not huge audiophiles so ease of use and installation more important.

The JVC model you listed doesn’t have DAB. I have the JVC KW-M565DBT which does have it. I’ve been pleased with the JVC.

 

[DoroDormobile]

The JVC model you listed doesn’t have DAB. I have the JVC KW-M565DBT which does have it. I’ve been pleased with the JVC.

Thank you for pointing this out- I need to do more homework. Does your JVC work well with the cameras and with the steering wheel controls?

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[StillGoing]

Thank you for pointing this out- I need to do more homework. Does your JVC work well with the cameras and with the steering wheel controls?

I don’t have cameras or controls on the steering wheel. The dealer was very helpful and answered lots of my questions before I bought it so I’m sure they will advise you.

 

[DoroDormobile]

I don’t have cameras or controls on the steering wheel. The dealer was very helpful and answered lots of my questions before I bought it so I’m sure they will advise you.

Which dealer did you use?

 

[DoroDormobile]

I removed all the wires from the Caratec unit and found another 'control point'. Pushing on this also had no effect on the status light. All power was removed when wires removed and this also appeared to have no effect.

Still do not know if problem in Caratec DSP or if it's in the Zenec head unit. Ideas on what to do next welcome

 

[DoroDormobile]

Does anyone know of a fitter with a good knowledge of the Zenec and Caratec interface? Alternatively could consider making our September trip to Germany taking in an audio diagnostic and/or fitting a new head unit.

 

[March Hare]

I managed to rebuild our Zenec head unit a couple of times using the SD card and downloading the software from the Zenec website, but when it went to the Windows blue screen of death again, we called it a day.

We replaced it with a Alpine INE-F904D, which we had installed by an auto audio specialist who also does work on motorhomes for a large dealership near here.

We're very pleased with it, but we did have to lose the Hymer Control Panel page on the Zenec.

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[DoroDormobile]

Do you still have the option to switch between the 3 cameras and to run off the habitation battery when parked up?

 

[March Hare]

Do you still have the option to switch between the 3 cameras and to run off the habitation battery when parked up?

We've only got the one camera (reversing) but in the spec it mentions about multi-view camera connectivity, but I'd recommend double-checking with Alpine, we've found them very helpful.

It works well on the habitation battery when parked up - we've got a little rocker switch to switch to the habitation battery.

 

[StillGoing]

Which dealer did you use?

https://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/

 

[Brains]

I managed to rebuild our Zenec head unit a couple of times using the SD card and downloading the software from the Zenec website, but when it went to the Windows blue screen of death again, we called it a day.

We replaced it with a Alpine INE-F904D, which we had installed by an auto audio specialist who also does work on motorhomes for a large dealership near here.

We're very pleased with it, but we did have to lose the Hymer Control Panel page on the Zenec.

We have the same model of Hymer and Zenec., which as you have found is a useful as a chocolate teapot.

I now only use the Zenec for the rear camera, which I leave on when driving as a rear view 'mirror'.
I use a 'stick-on-the -screen' sat nav, the Avtext Camp Tourer.

I spoke to the fitter, and it just does not make financial sense to replace the Zenec.

 

[Detnor]

Another member of the Zenec ZE 3726 club. I appreciate it is probably something complicated, but is the firmware software in the head unit up to date.
Zenec have been releasing updates each year since around 2016, normally to fix specific issues. The version I have installed is 3.4.1, you can check what version you have through Device Setup - Help - Version Info. I ended up asking Zenec on facebook messanger and got a response pretty quickly.
You may have already done this, it does do a 'deep' factory reset. Still no use as a satnav for me, memory card too small for navitec to use and they won't change it, but the last couple of firmaware fixes have got the radio working.

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[DoroDormobile]

One step forward. I emailed info@caratec.de and they sent me a small programme to put on a microSD card which I inserted in the microSD card slot in the caratec DSP (see photo above) while it was operating. This installed an update and the DSP is now apparently running again as the LED has stopped blinking red and is now steady green.

 

[DoroDormobile]

Another member of the Zenec ZE 3726 club. I appreciate it is probably something complicated, but is the firmware software in the head unit up to date.
Zenec have been releasing updates each year since around 2016, normally to fix specific issues. The version I have installed is 3.4.1, you can check what version you have through Device Setup - Help - Version Info. I ended up asking Zenec on facebook messanger and got a response pretty quickly.
You may have already done this, it does do a 'deep' factory reset. Still no use as a satnav for me, memory card too small for navitec to use and they won't change it, but the last couple of firmaware fixes have got the radio working.

Thank you, having sorted out the DSP I will try to get a firmware upgrade for the Zenec. We generally use an iPhone or iPad for satellite navigation and only use the Zenec as a backup - occasionally they diverge and it does give clearer indications about which lanes you chould choose.

 

[Abgs]

One step forward. I emailed info@caratec.de and they sent me a small programme to put on a microSD card which I inserted in the microSD card slot in the caratec DSP (see photo above) while it was operating. This installed an update and the DSP is now apparently running again as the LED has stopped blinking red and is now steady green.

If it’s now green , do you have sound again?

 

[DoroDormobile]

No. Still no sound. Have now downloaded the latest firmware update from Zenec website - 3.4.1 - installed it and still no sound from Tuner, TV or bluetooth to mobile phone. Currently out of ideas.

 

[Speve]

No. Still no sound. Have now downloaded the latest firmware update from Zenec website - 3.4.1 - installed it and still no sound from Tuner, TV or bluetooth to mobile phone. Currently out of ideas.

Try taking the cables out from the Caratec unit and connect them directly to the loom on the other side that’s what I did and got my sound back never put the Caratec back in as it never worked properly.

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