CD Player

[ve ...]

Thinking of buying one of these Cd players that you see advertised in the
paper from Halfords for about £120.
Question: If I fit this in my 1996 Vectra what effect will this have on my
dash display? Also is it a big job to fit i.e.; changing the wiring etc, is
their anything I need to be careful of.

 

[steve]

you should be able to use your existing wiring depending on which radio you
purchase, and even then if it isnt compatible you can purchase a wiring
block which will allow you to simply plug in and go....again depending on
which radio you purchase you may not have the display in the cars display
unit, it will have its own display, but either way this will not affect all
the other display options in the cars display screen (time, date, temp etc
etc)
ask the guys at halfords (for what its worth) which radios will allow you to
still make use of your cars display for the radio. its ussually the more
expensive radios that will incorperate this into the unit.. some of these
radios will even allow you to use the cars steering wheel controls (if
fitted).

 

[PduB]

Most radio's are now fitted with a standard ISO plug and most Cars are
the same...However be aware that the power connections on a VX are the
wrong way round.... that is to say that Red is usually ignition power
(i think) and yellow the permanent live (Dont quote me)

Like steve said .... the top range models may still use your vectra
display but personally i dont think its worth the extra cash.

I have a Astra and i fitted a Sony into it. I also used a smart lead
to keep the steering wheel controls but this caused a few problems
with space for the wiring at the rear of the stereo.

Also im sure i encountered a problem with the aerial connector.

Think VX is on a 90 degree angle but i needed to fit a straight one.

My display still shows the time / date / temp but no station info.

Id also recommend looking at an MP3 player then you can save all those
discs in the car.... approx 10 cd's on 1 MP3 disc.

 

[steve]

Most radio's are now fitted with a standard ISO plug and most Cars are
the same...However be aware that the power connections on a VX are the
wrong way round.... that is to say that Red is usually ignition power
(i think) and yellow the permanent live (Dont quote me)

come to think of it you are indeed correct...i have come across this a few
times...the radio will work ok but each time you switch off you will lose
the memory for your preset stations and audio settings........
rectify this by swapping the constant live wire with the ingnition switched
live wire.
red and yellow.......(radio wires not cars wiring harmess.)

 

[PduB]

On Mon, 8 Dec 2003 19:16:32 -0000, "steve"

But i must also mention....

If you do decide to attach a smart lead as i did to keep the steering
controls it does switch the polarity for you..

I found out the hard way.

First i fitted the stereo without the smart lead....and had to unfit
it to swap the power leads around.

Then i decided on the smart lead.

It was a really arse to fit due to a box attached to the smart lead
(Very little space)

Only to find that the polarity was switched and i had to go thru it
all over again.

Maybe if i had checked with people on here first i may have avoided
it.

You Live And You Learn.!!!

 

[Steve W...]

Thanks for all the advice, have ordered a Kenwood - KDC-M4524G so with a bit
of luck fitting should be ok. has anybody on the group had any experiences
wiring up a similar model.

Steve