ask a stupid question

Post Sat Jul 21, 2007 6:31 pm

I not owned an older car for a long time or fitted a stereo.

My research suggests that if you are putting a new stereo into a new car you just buy an adapter and plug the wires from the car into one end and the wires from the stereo in the other.

but in my day you just crimped a load of wires into each other.

I'm now thinking about buying a stereo off of the interweb and wireing it in myself - I'm not having amps or anything.

My silly question: Is this still possible or do I need an adapter?

Cheers

Post Sat Jul 21, 2007 6:37 pm

on an older car like ours the wires have usually been cut and bodged several times but you could be lucky .you will have to have a quick look to see.

Post Sat Jul 21, 2007 6:56 pm

do new head units have a bunch of wires coming out of the back or sockets for things to plug into?

Post Sat Jul 21, 2007 7:03 pm

Sockets - the are known as ISO connectors. You can still wire them up manually, of course.

Post Sat Jul 21, 2007 7:03 pm

new units have a standard plug but you usually have to buy the connector that suits your car at one end and the standard plug at the other iirc.

Post Sat Jul 21, 2007 7:22 pm

just lop the plug of and follow the maual which will tell you what wires are which as it is more than likely it would of been butched before any how.

Post Sat Jul 21, 2007 8:33 pm

you can buy an iso connector that you wire into the harness, at least that way if you want to change your headunit down the line you don't have to go through all the hassel again

Post Mon Jul 23, 2007 11:37 am

I'm an idiot - have just remembered that "new" car has what I assume to be its original Blaupunkt casset player so wireing prob intact. Only problem is I can find anyone who lists an adapter for an e30. Any recomendations?

Post Mon Jul 23, 2007 11:46 am

I got one from halfrauds but it didn't seem to fit - probably because my wires had already been butchered. I just ended up cutting the plug off the vehicle end of the adaptor and connecting the two harnesses together with a connector block. I'm sure that real ICE nuts are reaching for their keyboards in disgust as they try to get their heads around speaker cables that go through a connector block instead of being solid gold bars custom moulded to fit the car, but it sounds just fine to me