Kenwood KDC 118 Manual

The Kenwood KDC 118 is a single-DIN car stereo with CD receiver, USB input, front auxiliary input, AM/FM radio with 18 FM/6 AM presets, detachable faceplate security, 4-channel amplifier (22W x 4), bass boost, loudness control, and compatibility with MP3/WMA playback. Below are key sections for safety, features, installation, setup, operation, and troubleshooting.

1. Features at a Glance 2. Installation 3. First-Time Setup 4. Specifications 5. Controls and Settings 6. Connecting Devices 7. Playing Media 8. Security Features 9. Care & Maintenance 10. Regulatory Information 11. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: CD receiver, USB port, AUX input, detachable faceplate, remote control, wiring harness.

Feature	Description
CD Receiver	Plays audio CDs and MP3/WMA CDs
USB Port	For USB flash drives and MP3 players
AUX Input	3.5mm front panel input for external devices
Detachable Faceplate	Security feature to prevent theft
AM/FM Tuner	18 FM and 6 AM station presets
Power Output	22W x 4 channels maximum
Bass Boost	+12dB at 60Hz
Loudness Control	Enhances bass at low volumes
Audio Controls	Bass, treble, balance, fader
Display	LCD with adjustable illumination

Installation

Disconnect negative battery terminal before installation.

Remove existing stereo: Use removal tools to extract current unit.
Connect wiring harness: Match wire colors (red-ignition, yellow-battery, black-ground).
Connect speakers: Front and rear speaker wires (typically white, gray, green, purple).
Connect antenna: Plug in antenna cable.
Secure unit: Slide into dash and secure with mounting sleeve.

WARNING! Always disconnect battery before installation to prevent electrical shorts.

First-Time Setup

Reconnect battery and power on unit.

Set clock: Press and hold CLOCK button, use tuning knob to set time.
Program radio presets: Tune to desired station, press and hold preset button.
Adjust audio settings: Use BASS, TREBLE, BALANCE, FADER controls.
Set display illumination: Adjust dimmer setting in menu.
Test all functions: CD, USB, AUX, and radio modes.

CAUTION! Ensure all connections are secure before final assembly.

Specifications

Power Output: 22W x 4 channels (max)
CD Compatibility: CD, CD-R, CD-RW, MP3, WMA
USB Support: MP3, WMA files
Tuner Sensitivity: FM 10.8 dBf, AM 27 dBμ
Preset Stations: 18 FM, 6 AM
Audio Controls: Bass, treble, balance, fader, loudness
Power Requirement: 12V DC negative ground
Dimensions: Single DIN (178mm x 50mm)
Weight: 1.2 kg

Controls and Settings

Front Panel: POWER/VOLUME knob, SOURCE button, BAND, TUNE/TRACK knobs, AUX input, USB port.

Remote Control: POWER, VOLUME, SOURCE, BAND, PRESET, MUTE, PLAY/PAUSE.

Audio Settings: BASS (-7 to +7), TREBLE (-7 to +7), BALANCE (L9 to R9), FADER (F9 to R9). Display: Dimmer control, clock setting. Radio: Manual/auto seek, preset memory. Security: Detachable faceplate removal/installation.

Connecting Devices

USB: Connect flash drive or MP3 player. AUX: 3.5mm cable from external audio device.

Turn off unit before connecting devices.
USB: Insert flash drive directly into USB port.
AUX: Plug 3.5mm cable into front AUX input.
Select source: Press SOURCE button to cycle through modes.

Tip: Use high-quality USB drives formatted as FAT32 for best compatibility.

Playing Media

Supports CDs, USB drives, and AUX input.

CD Playback: Insert CD, unit automatically begins playback.
USB Playback: Insert USB drive, select USB source.
Track Navigation: Use TUNE/TRACK knob for previous/next.
Fast Forward/Rewind: Press and hold TUNE/TRACK knob.
Repeat/Shuffle: Access through function menu.
Folder Navigation (MP3): Use TUNE knob to browse folders.
AUX Playback: Connect device, select AUX source, control volume on source device.

WARNING! Do not use damaged CDs or USB drives. Avoid extreme temperatures.

Security Features

Detachable Faceplate: Remove for theft prevention. Security Code: Optional code can be set (default 0000).

Care & Maintenance

Use soft, dry cloth for cleaning. Do not use chemicals or abrasives.

CAUTION! Remove faceplate before cleaning. Keep liquids away from unit.

Regulatory Information

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
No power	Wiring/fuse	Check battery and ignition connections; verify fuse.
No sound	Speaker wiring	Verify speaker connections; check balance/fader settings.
CD won't play	Disc format/damage	Use supported disc types; clean disc surface.
USB not recognized	Format/compatibility	Reformat as FAT32; try different USB drive.
Poor radio reception	Antenna connection	Ensure antenna cable securely connected.

Reset: Disconnect battery for 30 seconds to reset unit.

Service: Contact authorized Kenwood service center for repairs.