Pioneer KEH-P818R Car Deck

[braxus]

Im going to be replacing the car I drive today with a newer one sometime next year hopefully. Anyway the deck I have in the current one is getting old (it's 10 years this year) and I was wanting an upgrade to it. It will stay in this car when its sold. Anyway I'm currently running a KEH P3700 which was a decent deck for its day, but hardly a killer deck. And its 1Volt output is rather low for the amps I run, so the newer 818R is a welcome upgrade. Since I run Pioneer gear in my car for the deck and CD changer, I went looking around for what would be the best Pioneer tape deck in around the late 90s. I want to reuse my old changer, so the Pioneer had to be from around the same time frame. I found out a good Dolby C model deck with good heads was a Premiere model KEH P818R. This deck has a rating on the heads of 30Hz to 22Khz which is pretty decent, plus it had Dolby C. Many decks don't. Even comes with its own remote. So I found one on Ebay and picked it up. Still sold for decent bucks for the seller. Anyway this deck is waiting for its new vehicle and I will get the deck checked out and the belt replaced. Lady Ayeka may be familiar with this deck too. Take a look. My old deck is the first pic.

Keep note the 818R is the Premiere version of the 8600R deck.

[Mr. Lin]

Looks nice - I wish my Civics stock cassette deck still worked.

[Web Police]

Looks cool. I have a cassette deck in one of my cars, but the other I need to use a walkman with a cord to the aux input. :)

[braxus]

Note for Rob (Retrokeeper),

If you have a copy of the brochure for this deck, please post it here.

[Scorpion8]

Not surprised so many here still run tape units in their cars. The Contour I just bought came with a nice Alpine CD head unit, but I've been thinking about replacing it with either a Blaupunkt tape unit I have available, or a unit to be named (and acquired) later.

[braxus]

For the longest time I was planning to replace my aging Pioneer tape deck with a new CD car deck that would hook up to my changer. Now that I'm sticking with tapes and back into analog, I decided to search out a high end car tape deck that my changer can be used with. Hence the Pioneer I ended up on this thread. I am planning on sending it out to get the deck looked at and the belt replaced. Also check the heads, etc. They still have some parts for this deck, so I better get it done sooner then later. Im waiting to put it into a newer car to replace my aging 19 year old one. That hopefully will come next year.

[Rat44]

I have been driving truck for 25 years.
With that out of the way, ask any driver what kind of stereo they want in their rig.
Half will say Pioneer , the rest will say Alpine.
Just my observation and personal experience.
The Pioneers have the best tuners and the Alpines the best transports.
Just my 2 cents.

[Scorpion8]

That's good info. The people who use the stuff for long periods of time probably know best.

I recall back-in-the-day when the Pioneer Supertuners were the best car units out there. Dunno if they still use that name as a selling point, as this was late 70's/early 80's.

[Rat44]

That's good info. The people who use the stuff for long periods of time probably know best.

I recall back-in-the-day when the Pioneer Supertuners were the best car units out there. Dunno if they still use that name as a selling point, as this was late 70's/early 80's.

Low quality stuff does not last long in that market.
Word gets out fast.

[retrokeeper]

Hey Braxus!!Nice deck you scored there,definately one of Pioneer's nicer offerings.I will look and see what info I have on it & get back to you on Sunday.So....who does repairs on cassette decks? If you've ever popped the top on one of these Pioneer's or any other good quality deck,to say,change the belts,you'll see it's one tough job....alot of crap crammed into a small box!!Was wondering who does this type of repair.As someone earlier noted Pioneer & Alpine did have some of the nicer car audio offerings back in the days,I sold Pioneer in my car audio business in the mid-80's and always had satisified customers with the sound quality & features offered by Pioneer,and their speaker line was excellent! Rob

[MacGyver]

Im going to be replacing the car I drive today with a newer one sometime next year hopefully. Anyway the deck I have in the current one is getting old (it's 10 years this year) and I was wanting an upgrade to it. It will stay in this car when its sold. Anyway I'm currently running a KEH P3700 which was a decent deck for its day, but hardly a killer deck. And its 1Volt output is rather low for the amps I run, so the newer 818R is a welcome upgrade. Since I run Pioneer gear in my car for the deck and CD changer, I went looking around for what would be the best Pioneer tape deck in around the late 90s. I want to reuse my old changer, so the Pioneer had to be from around the same time frame. I found out a good Dolby C model deck with good heads was a Premiere model KEH P818R. This deck has a rating on the heads of 30Hz to 22Khz which is pretty decent, plus it had Dolby C. Many decks don't. Even comes with its own remote. So I found one on Ebay and picked it up. Still sold for decent bucks for the seller. Anyway this deck is waiting for its new vehicle and I will get the deck checked out and the belt replaced. Lady Ayeka may be familiar with this deck too. Take a look. My old deck is the first pic.

sorry, not fimiliar with either. still, i have had a couple of PIONEER headunits in the past that i got from a thrift, one still in box!! that one was the only one i ever installed though. actually, we just got a 1987 SUBARU station wagon for a utility/beat around vehicle. when my mother and hubby broght it home, there was a pleasent little suprise inside...


http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/DSCF0772.jpg

nothing to get excited about really. still, it is very fortunate, IMO. after all, it could've just as easily have ended up being an AUDIOVOX...




http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/DSCF0774.jpg

not a bad car, IMO. engine is in excellent repair...

[braxus]

Well I sent off my Pioneer deck to get rebuilt. (Funny how Im getting a lot of decks rebuilt/ fixed lately). They said it will most likely be some months before it comes back which suits me fine. The US site still shows most parts for this deck, so I would assume Canada is also good. Im curious as to what the final cost fee will end up being though. I suspect almost as much as the deck cost new, since labour is so expensive these days. But in all the deck should be good for some years after once I get it back. I've been told to do a proper rebuild on a deck, to do it within 10 years since its release. Im probably outside of that, but I don't think parts is an issue yet.

[retrokeeper]

So,what exactly are they going to do,re-belt?New pinch roller?Align the tuner?Was just curious what they stated for putting the car deck back into like new condition. Rob

[braxus]

I sent this letter with the deck when I brought it in to the stereo shop:

"I’m requesting this deck be rebuilt to as new as possible condition.

Replace these parts if stock on parts are available:

ENT1027- Cassette Drive belt
ENV1518- Pinch roller
EXA1454- Cassette Main motor
EXA1485- Cassette Reel Motor
EXA1527- Head Assembly
Other parts based on what tech suggests

Install new parts and align the deck. Check deck over for any other parts that may need attention."

Retrokeeper- did you ever find a brochure for this deck?

[Scorpion8]

So,what exactly are they going to do,re-belt?New pinch roller?Align the tuner?Was just curious what they stated for putting the car deck back into like new condition. Rob

Rob beat me to it. I'd be insterested in knowing that same thing. Thanks.

[braxus]

Well my deck I sent off over 2 weeks ago has had progress on parts checks. I didn't expect it to be this quick. They still told me it will be months before it comes back. I checked in with the dealer today and they told me they were able to find most of the parts for this deck. Apparently belts may be a problem, so we'll have to see if they track one down. So one step done, now the big job of them getting to work on rebuilding it. May be some time yet.

[390FE]

Braxus make sure you get your old parts back/they return your old parts & have them put the old parts in the packages the new ones came in.

ALWAYS demand & require that ALL replaced parts are returned with the repair & it's good to have them put in the new replacement part packages/boxes.

This helps Prove they did the work they claim they did also those parts still may have some life left in them so if down the road something fails you could reuse the original parts to possible get a little more life out of the unit because parts probably won't be still available.

As for the deck repair they may have a full transport assembly availlable that you may want to look into as a spare or for them to install as it may save on labor costs because it should be a simpler drop in usually everything electrical is plugs on a full transport assembly. If you replace parts most likly soldering will be needed.

Just some thoughts.

[Nakdoc]

I'm not quite sure where this thread is supposed to go. The Pioneers are generally OK cassette decks, but old Nakamichi, Soundstream, Yamaha, and Aiwa decks are the premier performers in the tape department (also Concord, but those are really old) Alpines are ok, but rather dry and boring sounding. There is an ebayer selling new TD500 Nakamichis that is tempting, but the TD 700 was a bit better.
Typical 10 maintenance would include belts and pinch rollers. Motors is/are overkill. Many decks have reel table clutches, and I would recommend adding that to the list. Dial lamps should be replaced even if they haven't failed. In addition, worn or wobbly buttons out to be changed as these cosmetic parts go nla first!
I do a lot of car stereo repair, so feel free to ask questions about any non-OEM deck.

[doity]

Nice deck. I have a high-end Pioneer (P8250?) that just stopped working one day. Not the cassette portion, but the whole thing. Maybe blew a internal fuse or something, not sure. Anyway, it was a nice deck also w/Dolby C and loads of bells and whistles. It also controlled a hideaway DSP unit that had all kinds of preset EQ settings and you could also set your own into memory. I just used the stock ones.

Anyway, I still have the deck around here somewhere, sold the EQ, so if anyone wanted a real high end cassette unit that might just need minimal repair give me a shout out. I would let it go cheaply.

[braxus]

I found out they had my car deck sitting in the store for months. I hope to pick it up next month. They waited too long to let me know it was back from repair, and now my funds are tied up in other things. Oh well. As long as they don't get rid of my deck.

I hope they did replace the parts I asked them to. I doubt they sent back the original parts with my deck. I think they did replace the whole assembly as you guys suggested. To me I think that is what was on the work order.

[Elite-ist]

Hi,

I have most of the Pioneer Car Audio brochures from 1994-2007. Which model year is your unit? I can't seem to locate it in my collection.

Take care,

Nando.

[Elite-ist]

I'm not quite sure where this thread is supposed to go. The Pioneers are generally OK cassette decks, but old Nakamichi, Soundstream, Yamaha, and Aiwa decks are the premier performers in the tape department (also Concord, but those are really old) Alpines are ok, but rather dry and boring sounding. There is an ebayer selling new TD500 Nakamichis that is tempting, but the TD 700 was a bit better.
Typical 10 maintenance would include belts and pinch rollers. Motors is/are overkill. Many decks have reel table clutches, and I would recommend adding that to the list. Dial lamps should be replaced even if they haven't failed. In addition, worn or wobbly buttons out to be changed as these cosmetic parts go nla first!
I do a lot of car stereo repair, so feel free to ask questions about any non-OEM deck.

Hi,

I have a Pioneer KP-909G cassette deck. I've been unsuccessful in finding a pair of solenoids PN CXP-030. Neither Pioneer or Partstore.com stock this part. Any help would be appreciated. The Pioneer service dept. in my area, Nippon Video, diagnosed the trouble, and will repair my deck, if I can supply them with the 2 solenoids.

Thanks,

Nando.

[braxus]

I have most of the Pioneer Car Audio brochures from 1994-2007. Which model year is your unit? I can't seem to locate it in my collection.

Frankly I have no clue, but it must be in around the late 90s I think. Maybe 97 or 98. Its an Elite deck which may be why you can't find it.

[Elite-ist]

Frankly I have no clue, but it must be in around the late 90s I think. Maybe 97 or 98. Its an Elite deck which may be why you can't find it.

Hi,

I'll take another look. I collected the Premier car audio brochures, as well.

Talk later,

Nando.

[Elite-ist]

Hi,

Narrowed it down to 1998. I don't have the Premier brochure for that particular year, but the equivalent Pioneer model # was KEH-P7650. Cosmetically, the face plates are identical between the 2 models. The non-Premier cassette deck features include: tape slack canceller, key off pinch roller release, dual groove HPX head, full logic mechanism, Dolby B noise reduction, auto metal, music search, music repeat, blank skip, and radio intercept.

Hope this helps,

Nando.

[braxus]

Hi,

Narrowed it down to 1998. I don't have the Premier brochure for that particular year, but the equivalent Pioneer model # was KEH-P7650. Cosmetically, the face plates are identical between the 2 models. The non-Premier cassette deck features include: tape slack canceller, key off pinch roller release, dual groove HPX head, full logic mechanism, Dolby B noise reduction, auto metal, music search, music repeat, blank skip, and radio intercept.

Hope this helps,

Nando.

From what I know- the non Premiere deck was the 8600. Both had Dolby C, etc.

[Elite-ist]

From what I know- the non Premiere deck was the 8600. Both had Dolby C, etc.

Hi,

Had to do an internet search to find the KEH-P8600. Unfortunately, my brochures don't feature that model. Many of my brochures, I picked up at Audio Video Unlimited on Broadway, where I'd purchased my Pioneer car audio components from. Are some Pioneer equipment U.S. only?
Anyway, your deck is full of great features. Who's doing the servicing on it?

Nando.

[braxus]

Hi,

Had to do an internet search to find the KEH-P8600. Unfortunately, my brochures don't feature that model. Many of my brochures, I picked up at Audio Video Unlimited on Broadway, where I'd purchased my Pioneer car audio components from. Are some Pioneer equipment U.S. only?
Anyway, your deck is full of great features. Who's doing the servicing on it?

Nando.

No 8600 huh? Weird. I have a Pioneer dealer here in town who sent it directly to Pioneer themselves. So Pioneer Canada worked on it.

[R.Daneel]

Hello guys!

I think I have the same Pioneer deck in the pic. It has dolby b and c also and has the same button layout. It's an amazing deck as the sound of the cassette is really the best I have heard in a car. Plus the tuner is incredibly sensitive and fast. It tunes instantly and has a very clean reception. I don't use the remote control though. I think I paid 30$ for a used one a couple of years ago. Great deck.

[Nakdoc]

Hi,

I have a Pioneer KP-909G cassette deck. I've been unsuccessful in finding a pair of solenoids PN CXP-030. Neither Pioneer or Partstore.com stock this part. Any help would be appreciated. The Pioneer service dept. in my area, Nippon Video, diagnosed the trouble, and will repair my deck, if I can supply them with the 2 solenoids.

Thanks,

Nando.

Sorry I missed this back in March. I do not have anything this old. Perhaps the solenoids can be rewound. The wire is called "magnet wire". you will need to match the gauge and number of windings.

[Nakdoc]

I also have 4 different complete Pioneer cassette mechanisms as spare parts. PM me with any model and I will see if one of these mechs fits your model.

[Elite-ist]

I also have 4 different complete Pioneer cassette mechanisms as spare parts. PM me with any model and I will see if one of these mechs fits your model.
Hi Nakdoc,

Thanks for your suggestion. If it's only a rewind of the solenoid to repair it, that'll have to do, as no replacement is available from Pioneer and the partstore.com lists it, but won't ship to Canada. It would be nice to have spare parts; I'll get back to you.

http://www.partstore.com/Model/Pioneer+Electronics/Pioneer/KP909G.aspx?SearchTerm=True


Thanks,

Nando.

[Nakdoc]

PartStore are lying creeps. They always say they have parts, but they have none. Forget them. I wish I had saved all my reall old car stereos. I have a first generation Pioneer car CD here when you get tired of cassettes.

[braxus]

Hi,

Are some Pioneer equipment U.S. only?
Anyway, your deck is full of great features. Nando.

Nando- I found out from Pioneer Canada that the 818R and 8600 decks are US only. Funny as they were still able to get parts for it though. I should be picking my deck up in January or February. The cassette mechanism section was replaced in one piece.

[Elite-ist]

Nando- I found out from Pioneer Canada that the 818R and 8600 decks are US only. Funny as they were still able to get parts for it though. I should be picking my deck up in January or February. The cassette mechanism section was replaced in one piece.

That's a relief! You'll be back into playing tunes in style. Had you decided which car you were going to buy? My oldest daughter has a one year old Mazda 3. Good value and more than enough power on the highway. My youngest daughter, who's 18 now, learned to drive in my 1971 Buick GS455. So, I can imagine the car she'll eventually be happy with might be a tad peppier.

Nando.

[braxus]

I was considering getting a used Mazda 3 until I decided to go back to a early 90s Mustang again. I still might keep 2 cars, but will have to see on that one.

I will probably hold off on installing the 818 Pioneer deck until I get the car I plan on keeping. My current Mazda just doesn't have the amperage to power a real system, so I dropped the idea of using a system in it.