Do I need any extra wires/cables/adaptors to fit this radio into my car?

October 29, 2011 12:46 PM

Do I need any extra wires/cables/adaptors to fit this radio into my car?

So... I'm going to buy this (car stereo) tomorrow but my car is rather old and I'm not sure if I'll need any extra cables or adaptors to fit it.

My car is a 1995 (M reg) 1.2L Vauxhall Corsa. Could someone let me know if they think I'll need to buy any extras before I'll be able to fit it please.

(It's my first time adding a link, so please say if it doesn't work.)

(Note: I'm in the UK)

posted by sockpim to travel & transportation (4 answers total)

You'll need a wiring harness and a mounting kit.

The wiring harness is so that all the wires from the stereo will go right into the factory set of wires behind the current radio. That way you don't have to cut and splice wires, which is a complete pain in the ass.

The mounting kit is just a set of brackets and such so that the radio can be mounted inside the dash of the car and match up to the existing holes.
posted by sanka at 12:58 PM on October 29, 2011

The wiring harness is so that all the wires from the stereo will go right into the factory set of wires behind the current radio. That way you don't have to cut and splice wires, which is a complete pain in the ass.

I want to point out that this isn't necessarily true. Just last week I installed a new head unit in my Subaru and I had to splice together the wiring harness that fits Subarus with the wiring harness that comes with the unit.

But take heart! Splicing isn't hard at all. A quick Google with sort you out with that.
posted by InsanePenguin at 1:17 PM on October 29, 2011

It might be that this is everything you need.
posted by chazlarson at 3:29 PM on October 29, 2011

chazlarson has it. I've installed several car radios and it is normally quite easy to do when you have the proper fitting kit (although InsanePenguin is right - you could splice the existing wires as the harness is only re-routing connecting cables from Vauxhall's proprietary format to ISO standard, but if you want to take the radio back out if you sell the car, or you are afraid of shorting out the radio or your car's electrics, the harness takes all the hard work out of it).

One other thing to be aware of - if your car has steering wheel audio controls or an integrated display, these things will stop working when you remove the OEM head unit. Sometimes the OEM head unit will also control things like being able to set the time on the display, or a trip computer, so you'll lose this functionality when swapping the head unit out.

Additionally, if you might want to refit the unit in the future, check to see if there is a code stored with your vehicle documentation so that you will be able to re-install and use the OEM head unit in the future.

Assuming you purchase a fitting kit like the one chazlarson linked to, here's what you'll do to fit:

1. Using the release keys, push into the holes surrounding the OEM head unit until you hear a click. Pull the head unit out gently, taking care not to snag the wiring as you pull the radio out.
2. Disconnect the harness by pushing the plastic tab or metal retaining clip and pulling the cable away from the head unit. Be careful not to let the harness fall behind the console. Do the same for the antenna lead.
3. Clip the ISO adapter on to the exposed wiring harness. Clip the metal antenna adapter on to the end of the antenna cable.
4. Examine the hole left in the dash for any other extraneous trim that may need to be removed, then line up the new fascia adapter and clip it in to place - there may be screws to install, depending upon the product purchased.
5. The head unit may have a metal collar that will hold the unit securely in place on installation. Slide the collar over the head unit.
6. Place the new head unit in front of the opening, and attach the ISO harness and antenna adapters. Push the harness connector until the retaining clip clicks.
7. Gently slide the head unit in to the fascia opening and push firmly around the edges of the unit to clip the collar into place.
8. There may be an additional plastic surround to hide the metal collar extrusion. Place this around the unit, and push until it clips in around the edge of the unit.
9. Clip the front panel on to the head unit.
10. Switch the ignition on to accessory. The head unit should be receiving power and light up. Try out the various modes. You should be able to hear sound coming from your speakers.

Some notes:

Your new head unit is probably more powerful than the OEM head unit. Be careful not to crank the volume too high, otherwise you may end up needing new speakers.

If you find the tuner does not store your presets or the time needs to be reset after switching off the engine, you might need to take a longer journey so the head unit can store some capacitor or battery energy to keep this information stored when the car isn't running. This is common with Sony head units, not sure about this one though, but it isn't a fault!

If you find the stereo doesn't "sleep" when you turn off the car's engine, you may need to adjust a cable on the harness that manages the constant and switched power states. There will be two cables that terminate inside a rubber grommet and one will be connected to another cable completing the power circuit. If you are having trouble with the power supply when the car is switched off, swapping this connection should resolve it. Information about this should accompany the fitting kit and/or the head unit you purchase.

Good luck!
posted by NordyneDefenceDynamics at 4:26 PM on October 31, 2011