Alfa Romeo 156 Sound System User manual

1
CONTENTS
SOUND SYSTEM WITH TAPE PLAYER
GLOSSARY

INTRODUCTION ................................................................... page 4
ADVICE ........................................................................................ 6
ANTITHEFT PROTECTION ............................................................... 7
CONTROLS ................................................................................... 8
ENTERING THE SECRET CODE ........................................................ 11
TURNING ON - SOUND SETTINGS .................................................. 12
TELEPHONE PROVISION ................................................................ 14
RADIO ......................................................................................... 14
TAPE PLAYER ................................................................................ 21
TECHNICAL DATA .......................................................................... 23
WARRANTY .................................................................................. 23
AFTER-SALES SERVICE ................................................................... 23
SOUND SYSTEM WITH TAPE PLAYER
3

4
INTRODUCTION
The sound system is not removable (fixed
type). It has a personalised design that
matches the style of the dashboard and it
features the following functions:
RADIO SECTION
– PLL tuning with FM/MW/LW frequency
bands
– RDS (Radio Data System) with TI (Traf-
fic Information) - PTY (Program Type) - EON
(Enhanced Other Network) - REG (Regional
Programmes) functions
– Alternative frequency search selection in
RDS mode
– Emergency alarm reception provision
– PTY Priority function (PTY programme
selection in EON mode)
– Automatic/manual station tuning
– Manual storage of 24 stations: 12 in
the FM band (6 in FM1, 6 in FM2), 6 in
the MW band and 6 in the LW band
– Automatic storage (AUTOSTORE func-
tion) of 6 stations in dedicated Autostore
band (FA or MA or LA)
– Manual DX function (Distant: maximum
sensitivity in tuning radio stations)
– Preset Scan function (scanning stored
stations)
– Automatic Stereo/Mono switching.

5
TAPE SECTION
– Autoreverse
– Fast tape forward/rewind
– Automatic Cr/Me tape identification and
equalization with sound optimisation as a
consequence
– Program Music Search function (auto-
matic search for last/next track)
– Repeat function (repetition of last track)
– Blank Skip function (automatic skip of
blank tape sections)
– Tape Scan function (tape track scan)
– DOLBY B (noise reduction circuit) (*).
(*) The DOLBY reduction circuit is made un-
der the licence of Dolby Laboratories Licensing
Corporation. DOLBY and the symbol with double
D are patented brands of Dolby Laboratories Li-
censing Corporation.
SOUND SECTION
– Pause function
– Reset function (Bass, Treble, Balance,
Fader in central position)
– Loudness function
– Separate bass/treble adjustment
– Right/left and front/rear channel bal-
ancing
– Sound Flavour function (CLASSIC - ROCK -
JAZZ - FLAT equalizing)
– FM band station volume level presetting
– TI (Traffic Information) function volume
level presetting.

6
ADVICE
Road safety
You are advised to learn how to use the
various radio functions (e.g.: storing sta-
tions) before starting to drive.
Too high a volume when driving can put
the driver’s life at risk and that of other peo-
ple. Therefore the volume should always be
adjusted in such a way that it is always pos-
sible to hear the noises of the surrounding
environment (e.g.: horns, ambulance, po-
lice sirens, etc.).
Reception conditions
Reception conditions change constantly
when travelling. Reception may be disturbed
by the presence of mountains, buildings or
bridges particular if far away from the broad-
casting transmitter.
Care and maintenance
The radio is made in such a way that it
does not require particular maintenance. In
the event of a failure, contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
To clean the front panel only use a soft,
anti-static cloth. Cleaning and polishing prod-
ucts might spoil the surface.
TAPES
To obtain optimum playing conditions we
give the following advice:
– Do not use poor quality tapes, with dis-
tortions or labels detached.
– Never leave the tape in the sound sys-
tem when not in use.
– Never insert other objects in the tape
slot.
– Do not expose tapes to the sun or high
temperatures.
– Put tapes back in their boxes after use.
– Over time, dirt on the playing head
caused by tapes may reduce the high notes
when playing. You are therefore advised to
clean the head routinely using a special
cleaner tape of the non abrasive type.
– Preferably use C-60 tapes and in any
case no longer than C-90 to ensure the best
playing conditions.

7
– Avoid inserting cassettes with damaged
tapes in the sound system, especially if us-
ing C-90 cassettes, as the tape might come
out and get stuck.
– Never lubricate the tape mechanism.
– Never touch the player head with mag-
netic or hard objects.
ANTITHEFT
PROTECTION
The sound system is fitted with an antitheft
protection system consisting of the follow-
ing:
– four-digit secret code
– antitheft led.
The protection system makes the radio un-
usable after removal from the dashboard
in the case of theft.
Secret code
– The 4-digit secret code is shown on the
Code card (fig. 1) that is delivered together
with the car.
– Keep the secret code in a safe place
(e.g.: together with car documents), not
in the car.
3252CAm
fig. 1

8
CONTROLS
fig. 2
3250CAm

9
Control description
(fig. 2)
1. p Specific audio function de-
creasing adjustment button
2. AUDIO Function select button:
1) Audio function selec-
tion (volume, bass, tre-
ble, balance/fader)
2) Audio function reset
3.
o Specific audio function in-
creasing adjustment button
4. Tape slot
5. Display
6.
˚ Tape eject button
7. Antitheft led
8. BAND Radio frequency range se-
lect button (FM1, FM2,
MW, LW)
9. TUNE Function select button:
1) Tuning mode selection
(automatic with max
or min reception sensi-
tivity/manual)
2) Tune to RDS station
with strongest signal
10. TAPE Tape or Compact Disc
CD select button
11. RDS Function select button:
TI 1) RDS TI (traffic infor-
mation)
2) RDS (Radio Data Sys-
tem)
12. PTY Function select button:
1) RDS PTY (RDS pro-
gramme type)
2) PTY programme selec-
tion in EON mode
13. M.I.X. Function select button:
AS 1) Autostore band selec-
tion (FA, MA or LA)
2) Automatic station stor-
age (Autostore) - ran-
dom Compact Disc
track selection
14.LIGHTS Keypad and tape compart-
ment lights on/off button
15.
SCAN/PRS Button for scanning pre-
stored stations - tape tracks
- Compact Disc tracks
16. 6
¯˙ Function select button:
1) Call station no. 6 - tape
Reverse function selec-
tion - Select Compact
Disc no. 6
2) Storing station no. 6
17. 5 Function select button:
1) Call station no. 5 - Se-
lect Compact Disc no.
5
2) Storing station no. 5

10
18. 4 BLS Function select button:
1) Call station no. 4 - Skip
blank tape sections -
Select Compact Disc
no. 4
2) Storing station no. 4
19.3 SEEK
˙ Function select button:
1) Call station no. 3 - play
next tape track - Select
Compact Disc no. 3
2) Storing station no. 3
20.2 SEEK
¯ Function select button:
1) Call station no. 2 - play
previous tape track -
Select Compact Disc
no. 2
2) Storing station no. 2
21. 1
M Function select button:
1) Call station no. 1 - Se-
lect Dolby B function -
Select Compact Disc
no. 1
2) Storing station no. 1
22.
RPT/LOUD Function select button:
1) Repeat tape track - re-
peat Compact Disc track
- repeat Compact Disc
2) Select Loudness function
23. ON Function select button:
1) On/off
2) General radio setting
activation (FM station
and traffic information
volume presetting - al-
ternative frequencies
search selection - emer-
gency alarm provision
and reception and re-
gional programmes re-
ception)
24. DN Function select button:
” 1) Tuning
REW manual/automatic
down - fast
tape rewind - select
previous CD track
2) Fast Compact Disc
track backward
25.SOUND Sound Flavour function se-
lect button
26. UP Function select button:
» 1) Tuning
FF manual/automatic up-
fast tape forward -
select next CD track
2) Fast Compact Disc
track forward
Buttons 2,9, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18,
19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26 perform
two functions.
Press briefly the button to select function
1). To select function 2) keep the button
pressed for longer than 2 seconds (3 sec-
onds for button 23).

11
ENTERING THE
SECRET CODE
Entry of the secret code is required:
a- when you get the car from your Deal-
ership
b- after every battery disconnection (e.g.:
servicing operations carried out at Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services).
For example, if the secret code on your
Code card is 4613, follow this procedure:
– turn the sound system on pressing but-
ton “ON” (23)
– the display will show “CODE” (enter
the secret code)
– press once button “4” (18). The dis-
play will show “4- - -”
– press once button “6” (16). The dis-
play will show “46- -”
– press once button “1” (21). The dis-
play will show “4 6 1 -”
– press once button “3” (19). The dis-
play will show “4 6 1 3”
– sound system will start working after
about 1 second.
WARNING If a wrong code is entered,
sound system will go back to waiting con-
dition for new code entry (the display will
show “CODE” again).
Sound system turning off when entering
the code is considered as an incorrect code
entry.
WARNING After three consecutive
wrong entries the display will show four
dashes “- - - -” and the sound system will
lock out for one hour at least. Since the
sound system is fitted with automatic turn-
ing off system (see paragraph “Sound sys-
tem turning on” on next page), to unlock
it, the following conditions shall be kept at
the same time for one hour:
1) Ignition key to MAR.
2) Sound system on.
After one hour in these conditions the
sound system will return to the waiting con-
dition for code entry (the display will show
again the message “CODE”).
Time during which the sound system stays
in antitheft mode is only calculated if the
sound system is on. Should sound system
be turned off when in antitheft mode,
elapsed time is set to zero and when turn-
ing the sound system on again time count-
ing will start from zero (you will have to wait
again for one hour).
ANTITHEFT LED
To show that the sound system is fitted
with antitheft protection system, a red led
(7) will flash when both engine and sound
system are off.

12
TURNING ON
SOUND SETTINGS
Sound system turning on
To turn the sound system on, press once
button “ON” (23).
With ignition key at STOP, the sound sys-
tem will turn off automatically after about
20 minutes.
Keypad and tape
compartment light
To turn sound system keypad and tape
compartment lights on/off (if you have
bothersome reflections on car windscreen),
press button “LIGHTS” (14). With lights
off, buttons “ON” (23) and “LIGHTS”
(14) will however stay lit to allow friendly
re-switching on.
Radio function selection
Press button “BAND” (8) to select the
following functions:
– if TAPE or CD were previously selected,
the RADIO function will be selected
– if the radio is being played, frequency
bands (FM1, FM2, MW, LW) will be se-
lected cyclically.
Tape/Compact Disc function
selection
Press button “TAPE CD” (10) repeat-
edly to select the following functions:
– Tape (if inserted): the display will show
message “TAPE”
– Compact Disc (if Compact Disc player
is installed): the display will show the mes-
sages relevant to this function.
Functions that cannot be selected (e.g.:
Tape and tape is not inserted) are disabled
automatically.
Note: If the radio is being played with a
tape inserted and compact disc player con-
nected, pressing “TAPE CD” (10) button
selects the last function used (either Tape or
Compact Disc).
Pause function
If while listening to Tape or Compact Disc
another function is selected (e.g. the radio),
playing is stopped and when Tape or Com-
pact Disc mode is resumed, it starts again
from the point in which it was stopped.
If while listening to the radio another func-
tion is selected, when the Radio mode is
resumed, it is tuned to the last station se-
lected.
Volume adjustment
Press button “ o “ (3) to increase the vol-
ume or button “ p “(1) to lower it.
Pressing the button briefly the change is
gradual by steps.
Pressing it longer, the change is faster.
For a few seconds the display shows the
wording “VOL” and the volume level.

13
Tone adjustment
Proceed as follows:
– briefly and repeatedly press the “AU-
DIO” button (2) until the display shows
“BASS” or “TREBLE” (Bass or Treble se-
lection)
– press button “
o “ (3) to increase the
basses or trebles or button “ p “ (1) to de-
crease them.
Pressing the buttons briefly the change is
gradual by steps.
Pressing them longer, changing is faster.
For a few seconds the display shows the
levels of basses/trebles.
Balance adjustment
Proceed as follows:
– briefly and repeatedly press the “AU-
DIO” button (2) until the display shows
“BALANCE” (select Balance function)
– press button “
o “ (3) to increase sound
from right speakers or “ p “ (1) to increase
sound from left speakers.
Pressing the buttons briefly the change is
gradual by steps.
Pressing them longer, changing is faster.
For a few seconds the display shows the
balancing levels (“L” = left, “R” = right).
Fader adjustment
Proceed as follows:
– briefly and repeatedly press button
“AUDIO” (2) until the display shows
“FADER” (select Fader function)
– press button “
o “ (3) to increase sound
from rear speakers or button “ p “ (1) to
increase sound from front speakers.
Pressing the buttons briefly the change is
gradual by steps.
Pressing them longer, changing is faster.
For a few seconds the display shows the
fader levels (“F” = front, “R” = rear).
Reset function
Keep the “AUDIO” button pressed (2)
for longer than 2 seconds to select the Re-
set function that shows in central position
all Bass, Treble, Balance and Fader adjust-
ments.
For a few seconds the display will show
“RESET”.
Loudness function
To switch this function on/off keep the
“LOUD” button (22) pressed for over 2
seconds. The Loudness function increases
basses and trebles and when it is active the
display shows “LOUD”.

14
Sound Flavour function
(equalization)
Press repeatedly button “SOUND” (25)
to select the required equalization. The dis-
play will show for a few seconds “SOUND
FLAVOUR OFF”, “CLASSIC”,
“ROCK”, “JAZZ”, “FLAT” according to
selected equalization.
WARNING Adjusting the tone (Basses
or Trebles) after selecting an equalization
other than “SOUND FLAVOUR OFF”
will exit the Sound Flavour mode.
TELEPHONE
PROVISION
If the voice feature is installed on the ve-
hicle, when a phone call is received, the vol-
ume is lowered immediately (Mute) and the
display shows the wording “TEL MUTE”.
RADIO
When the set is turned on the last function
selected before turning off is played (Radio,
Tape or Compact Disc).
To select the Radio function while listening
to a tape or Compact Disc, briefly and re-
peatedly press the “BAND” button (8) un-
til this function is selected.
Selecting the frequency band
If in the Radio mode, briefly and repeat-
edly press the “BAND” button (8) to se-
lect the required reception band.
Every time the button is pressed the fol-
lowing bands are selected in sequence
“FM1”, “FM2”, “MW” and “LW”.
The FM band is divided into two sections:
FM1 and FM2.
The display will show the relevant word-
ing: “F1” = FM1, “F2” = FM2, “MW”
or “LW”.

15
There is also a reception band reserved to
the stations stored automatically with the
Autostore function. To activate this band,
press briefly button “AS” (13). This band
will be identified on the display by “FA”,
“MA” or “LA”, according to Autostore
function selecting band: FM (F1 or F2),
MW or LW.
After selecting the Autostore band, press
briefly button “AS” (13) or “BAND” (8)
to go back to the other bands.
The radio is always ready to receive sta-
tions in the RDS mode (Radio Data Sys-
tem).
Storing the last station heard
The radio automatically keeps in storage
the last station heard for each reception
band, which is then tuned when the radio is
turned on or the reception band is changed.
Tuning
Press briefly and repeatedly button
“TUNE” (9) to select one of the following
three tuning modes:
1) Automatic distant sensitivity: the dis-
play will show “SEEK DX”
2) Automatic local sensitivity: the display
will show “SEEK LOC”
3) Manual seek: the display will show
“MANUAL”
If no tuning is selected, automatic distant
sensitivity will be tuned automatically.
There are therefore two levels of reception
sensitivity:
1) maximum sensitivity (distant), which
makes it possible to tune all the stations that
can be received
2) minimum sensitivity (local), which
makes it possible to tune only those stations
with sufficiently strong signals, such as for
example local stations.
Manual tuning
This allows manual station searching in the
chosen band.
– Select the band: F1, F2, MW, LW,
or FA, MA, LA.
– Briefly and repeatedly press button
“TUNE” (9) until the display shows
“MANUAL”.
– Press button “
» “ (26) or “ ” “
(24) to select the station required.
Pressing the button briefly the change is
gradual by steps.
Pressing it longer, change is faster.
Automatic tuning
(distant or local)
This allows automatic station searching in
the chosen band.
– Select the band: F1, F2, MW, LW
or FA, MA, LA.
– Briefly and repeatedly press button
“TUNE” (9) until the display shows mes-
sage “SEEK DX” or “SEEK LOC” ac-
cording to the required reception sensitivity.
Press button “
» “ (26) or “ ” “ (24)
to select the required station. Seek will stop
automatically when a station is tuned.

16
Manual station storage
The station being heard can be stored in
the range selected with buttons (21),
(20), (19), (18), (17), (16) numbered
from “1” to “6”.
Keep one of these buttons pressed (from
“1” to “6”) until the frequency or the sta-
tion name (in case of RDS station) to be
stored will start flashing on the display. Dur-
ing flashing (lasting about 5 seconds) press
the button with which the station shall be
stored. The display will show the button
number.
Automatic station storage
in FA, MA or LA bands
(Autostore function)
The following can be stored:
– 6 stations in FA band if in FM1 or
FM2 band or
– 6 stations in MA band if in MW band
or
– 6 stations in LA band if in LW band.
Keep button “AS” (13) pressed until
muting the radio (the display will show “A
MEMORY” for about 1 second).
The stations with the strongest signal in
the preselected band will be then stored on
buttons (21), (20), (19), (18), (17),
(16) numbered from “1” to “6”. The
whole frequency range is crossed twice with
increasing tuning sensitivity.
After storing the radio will tune automati-
cally to the stored frequency on button “1”
(21).
WARNING Sometimes the Autostore
function is unable to find 6 stations with a
strong signal. In this case when selecting
free buttons (not stored) the display will
show symbol “0”.
Listening to stored stations
Proceed as follows:
– select the required frequency band
– briefly press one of the six station stor-
age buttons.
The display will show the number that cor-
responds to the button.
In bands F1, F2 and FA, if reception is
poor and the RDS mode with alternative
frequency search function is active, the sta-
tion with the strongest signal that is broad-
casting the same programme will be sought
automatically (the display will show “PI
SEEK”).
Scanning stored stations
(Preset Scan function)
Proceed as follows:
– select the required band
– press “PRS” (15): all stations stored
in bands FM (F1 and F2), MW or LW
will be tuned in turns for about 10 seconds.
Scanning is possible also with Autostore ac-
tive (FA, MA, or LA).
To stop scanning press button “PRS”
(15) again.

17
Presetting FM stations
volume level
Should there be too much difference be-
tween FM station volume and tape player
volume, FM signal level can be properly ad-
justed to lower it.
Proceed as follows:
– Keep button “ON” (23) pressed for
3 seconds at least.
– Press button “1” (21) to select one of
two available levels (high, low). The display
will show “FM-LV HI” or “FM-LV
LOW”.
– Press briefly button “ON” (23) to quit.
RDS function
(Radio Data System)
The radio is always ready to receive sta-
tions in the RDS mode. The display will
show the RDS station name and wording
“RDS”.
To turn the RDS function on/off, proceed
as follows:
– select F1, F2 or FA
– keep button “RDS” (11) pressed un-
til “RDS” wording appears/disappears.
Selecting alternative
frequency search
Within the RDS system the radio can
work in two different modes:
– AF ON: alternative frequency search
on
– AF OFF: alternative frequency search
off.
When the signal of the RDS station tuned
weakens, the following cases may occur:
– With AF ON the RDS system activates
automatic tuning of the optimum frequency
of the station chosen, with the stations en-
abled, therefore the radio is automatically
tuned to the station with the strongest sig-
nal that is broadcasting the same pro-
gramme. During the journey it will thus be
possible to continue listening to the station
chosen without having to change the fre-
quency when changing area. Of course, the
station being listened to must be receivable
in the area the car is crossing.
– With AF OFF the radio will not tune
the strongest station automatically and it
will have to be found manually using the
tuner buttons.
To set the required mode, proceed as fol-
lows:
– Keep button “ON” (23) pressed for
3 seconds at least.
– Press button “3” (19) to select the
required mode. The display will show “AF
ON” or “AF OFF”.
– Press briefly button “ON” (23) to quit.
WARNING In both modes, when lis-
tening to a RDS station, if you keep button
“TUNE” (9) pressed until the display
shows “AF SEEK”, the station with the
strongest signal that is broadcasting the
same programme will be sought automati-
cally.
TI function
(Traffic Information)
Certain stations in the FM band (FM1),
FM2 and FA) are enabled to also broad-
cast information about traffic conditions. In
this case the display shows the wording
“TP”.

18
With the TI function it is possible:
a) - to search only RDS stations that trans-
mit in the FM band, enabled to broadcast
traffic information
b) - to receive traffic information although
tape or CD are being played
c) - to receive traffic information at a pre-
defined minimum volume even with the ra-
dio volume off.
The operations to be carried out for each
of the three above conditions are listed be-
low.
a) - To receive stations enabled to broad-
cast traffic information:
– select band F1, F2 or FA
– briefly press button “TI” (11) so that
the display shows “T. INFO”.
To seek other stations, press “
» “ (26)
or “ ” “ (24).
To store stations with TI on, carry out the
storage operations (see “Manual station
storage”).
b) - If wishing to receive traffic informa-
tion when listening to a tape or Compact
Disc, before inserting the tape or playing the
CD, tune to a station enabled to broadcast
traffic information and activate the TI func-
tion. If while listening to the tape or Com-
pact Disc, this station broadcasts traffic in-
formation, the tape or Compact Disc will be
suspended temporarily and resumed again
automatically after the end of the message.
At the start of receiving traffic information
the display will briefly show the wording
“TRF-INFO”.
If wishing to interrupt the traffic informa-
tion message, briefly press button “TI”
(11) during transmission of the message.
c) - To receive traffic information while not
listening to the radio: turn the TI function
on, tune to a station enabled to transmit traf-
fic information and turn the volume to zero.
This way, if that station broadcasts traffic in-
formation, this will be heard at a minimum
predefined volume (see “Presetting TI func-
tion volume level (Traffic Information)).
WARNING In certain countries radio sta-
tions exist which, even if the TP function is
on (the display shows “TP”), do not trans-
mit traffic information.
WARNING If the TI function is on (the
display will show “T. INFO”) and the sta-
tion tuned is not able to provide traffic in-
formation or it is no longer able to provide
this information (the display will not show
“TP”) then, after 1 minute in which the ra-
dio is in these conditions:
– if listening to a tape or Compact Disc an-
other station is sought that is enabled to
transmit traffic information;
– if listening to the radio, a beep is given
for five seconds to alert that it is not possi-
ble to receive traffic information; staying in
this condition will sound the beep every 30
seconds, to stop it:
– tune to a station that can provide traf-
fic information (the display will show “TP”)
or
– switch off the TI function by pressing but-
ton “TI” (11) briefly.

19
Presetting TI function volume
level (Traffic Information)
Proceed as follows:
– Keep button “ON” (23) pressed for
3 seconds at least.
– Press repeatedly button “2” (20) to
select one of the four available levels. The
display will show “TA-LV1”, “TA-LV2”,
“TA-LV3” or “TA-LV4”.
– Press briefly button “ON” (23) to quit.
With “TI” function on, during a traffic bul-
letin the radio will automatically set the vol-
ume to the level chosen.
Emergency alarm reception
In the RDS mode the radio is set to receive
emergency announcements in the case of
exceptional circumstances or events that
may cause general danger (earthquakes,
floods, etc.), if they are broadcast by the
station tuned.
To activate this function, proceed as fol-
lows:
– Keep button “ON” (23) pressed for
3 seconds at least.
– Press button “5” (17) to select/not
select emergency announcement reception.
The display will then show “PTY31 ON”
or “PTY31 OFF”.
– Press briefly button “ON” (23) to quit.
With “PTY31 ON”, a beep will be given
when emergency signal is received.
Program Type function (PTY)
To turn on the PTY function, which makes
it possible to give top priority to PTY pro-
grammes, when present, which may involve
emergency messages or various topics (e.g.
music, news bulletins), briefly press the
“PTY” (12) button until the display shows
the subject of the tuned station (e.g.
“NEWS”).
WARNING To turn on the PTY function,
the radio must be in the FM band.
If the station does not broadcast in the PTY
mode, the wording “NONE” is shown on
the display for 5 seconds.
If the station does not broadcast in the RDS
mode, the wording “NO RDS” is dis-
played.
The list of the various subjects includes:
“NEWS, AFFAIRS, INFO, SPORT,
EDUCATE, DRAMA, CULTURE, SCI-
ENCE, VARIED, POP M, ROCK M,
M.O.R. M, LIGHT M, CLASSIC,
OTHER M”. To select the subject required,
press buttons “
» “ (26) or “ ” “ (24)
within 5 seconds after pressing button
“PTY” (12), then press briefly button
“PTY” within 5 seconds from last selection:
the tuner will start to seek a station broad-
casting the type of programme selected.