Swapping Headunit (Wiring issues)

[Maxtek]

I'd like to change over the Sony headunit that's currently in my car.

After taking it out yesterday, I was expecting to see a mess of spliced up wires, which I did see.

Below is a picture of my new Alpine CDE-123R headunit. I've circled in red the connectors which my Sony headunit seems to be connected by, would I be able to use the same connectors from the Alpine headunit to connect up to the car wiring and ignore the plug/socket at the end and without cutting up any of the wires on the Alpine HU? (Ignore the larger plug/socket right at the end, that's for my previous car)




I have no clue what I'm doing with this wiring unless its plug and play, which I wouldn't imagine it to be. I've asked a friend to give me a hand tomorrow but he doesn't seem 100% sure about what to do either.

[Sanchez]

The black connector that plugs into your old car connector is called an ISO connector. This is the most common connector and most cars have these fitted.

I've fitted a ISO connector to mine so swapping head units is easy know.

Can you show a pic of you cars wiring?

[Maxtek]

I don't have the HU release keys on me, had to borrow from a friend which I gave back, will be collecting them again tomorrow so I will upload some pictures then.

ISO connectors aren't universal are they? I thought each manufacturer produced one to fit a certain HU to car. I wouldn't have thought that the newer HU companies would bother with making one for an E30?

Saying that, you've done this mod so I'd imagine they are available, would you mind linking me to the items needed, instruct me on how to install it and maybe some pictures if you have any laying about?

Thanks Sanchez

[Sanchez]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Radio-Ste ... 20d6bb44f2

Fit this into you e30. Solder the wires and cover with heat shrink to the e30 loom. Search YouTube on soldering and heat shrinking if you need too.

Once this is fitted to the e30 then you can fit and single din radio with a ISO connector.

[Maxtek]

Ah ok I know exactly what you mean know. I'll get some pictures up hopefully tomorrow in case there's anything else I'm missing.

One thing to mention actually, the end I circled in red in the picture earlier, would I just let those hang loose as I don't think there is anything for them to connect to when using the soldered on ISO connector.

Cheers

[Sanchez]

Google a pic of a ISO connector and it will tell you which colour wire does what. Then just work out the correct one on the car.

Not all the wire from the head unit will need using. Do you run a amp?

[Maxtek]

Oh right.

Currently I'm not running an amp, although I have a pair of 6x9's on the shelf and some tweeters bodged into somewhere which hang loosely off the dash which desperately need removing. I believe they are powered instead of the stock door tweeters.

[Maxtek]

Sorry about the delay, I manged to get the HU keys today.

I took the HU and cage out completely and saw what a true mess the wiring really is. I took some awful pictures, it's really hard to get a good shot of what's really going on inside there. The wiring is cable tied up on the glove-box side where everything seems to be leading.

I'm really tempted to take it to a professional to get everything cleaned up as there's more cut up loose ended wires than you can imagine. To me it seems like the glove-box and centre console should come out to have a proper tidy up.

Here is one of the pictures, as said above, its really hard to get a decent shot of what's going on in there.



It seems like there is already and ISO connector wired into the car, I feel I shouldn't use it considering half of the wires are cut or taped.

Is there anyone remotely close to me with experience with this sort of thing who would like to give me a hand?

[Sanchez]

That picture shows wiring that can come out unless it fits your new head unit.

There is the ISO connectors in the background.

That pic looks pretty tidy wiring but yu mention mess behind the glovebox. I notice a Clifford alarm valet code buttons. This could be your wiring mess as alarm fitters generally weren't very good back then.

If you open the glovebox and push out the two black plastic pins holding the glovebox up it will drop down, then remove the large back plastic twist bolts and more plastic covers will come away then take a pic of what you seen and I will try help you.

[Maxtek]

Personally, I think all the wiring back there needs a good sorting out, I don't think using what's been left behind is a good idea.

So that's what that thing is at the top left? The car used to have a Clifford system fitted, I guess all the parts weren't stripped out when the new alarm/immobilisers was fitted.

The glove-box is actually missing a couple of the clips, the plastic panel on the side of it sort of flops about, I saw down the side of it the mess of the wiring.

I think I'll take the Heater/OBC dash surround panel out tomorrow as well as the glove-box, get some pictures and see what you recommend.

Thanks again for the on-going help Sanchez!

[Sanchez]

Your right a proper job is always the way to go. So much wiring is hidden so people seam to cowboy it and then later get problems though bare live wires shorting out.

I'm 500miles away so can't physically help but I'll guide you as and when you need it.

I would take the glovebox and plastics out but would think twice about taking the havc panel out its an pita. You shouldn't need unless you really want too.

[zaust]

Mate if you get stuck, I'm not to far from you and if you pop round one evening I can sort it for you.

[Sanchez]

That's a good offer.

[Maxtek]

Guess I'll leave the HVAC panel in, I didn't realise it was such a pain to remove.

Zaust thanks for the kind offer, I think I'll take you up on that. I'll drop you a PM.

Cheers Sanchez!

[Maxtek]

All sorted for now; popped down to see Zaust, thanks everyone!

[Sanchez]

I've only heard go things about Marc. He has/had some nice e30's too.

[Maxtek]

I'll happily add to that list good things about him, he also kindly offered to help me out with a lot of other things on my E30, not to mention spotting a good few things wrong that I hadn't noticed!

Great guy!

[zaust]