Head unit install

[dubbed]

I attacked it today, and boy the removal of the old unit was a headache. I finally got it out (after chipping the woodgrain surround and much swearing). The wiring looked a bit messy from the previous unit so I called a mob who could fit in the install today. They were a great help and very friendly, but I am a little disheartened as the fade (front/rear, left/right) is not right i.e. one front speaker and the opposing rear speaker is on when all sound is channeled to the front. They didn't wire up the illumination feature either - do you need to tap into a wire behind the dash? Ugh. I don't know why I bother!!! I'm not going back either because I'm always at work when they're open.

I think I will attack it on one of the weekends coming up.

It does sound good and plays all my CDs/MP3s though... Overall I'm about 6.5/10 happy! When it's wired up properly I'll be happier.

If you have a few hours on a sunday arvo do it yourself. I didn't like the idea of some local dero mucking around in my car, not caring how he treated the interior.

I thought the same, hence why I went to a "pro" audio place.

[Manaz]

It does sound good and plays all my CDs/MP3s though... Overall I'm about 6.5/10 happy! When it's wired up properly I'll be happier.

I thought the same, hence why I went to a "pro" audio place.

That's why one of the adapter looms was suggested.

And if you did use a pro audio place, absolutely take it back and tell them to make it work 100%.

[dubbed]

That's why one of the adapter looms was suggested.

And if you did use a pro audio place, absolutely take it back and tell them to make it work 100%.

Yeah fair call, but the previous installer had cut and hacked away at some things behind there so the OEM plug was gone anyway.

I just don't have the time to get back to the car audio place as I work six days a week and it's a 30 minute drive.

I don' think the little red light on the antenna lights up anymore either...

[Spyda]

How come its so hard? Do you have the climate control stuff or something like that?

I did my gf bora in 15min, stock head unit out, pioneer in but she doesnt have climate control or that other gear. You just match up the colors, if the colors arnt matching up....itll take another 15min. Ive done so many head units though.

Where abouts in melbourne are you? Id be happy to have a look for ya.

[dubbed]

The hard part was removing the old unit (it was some ****ty Chinese/Taiwanese screen) and the wiring behind there was cut and hacked so it didn't make much sense back there. The previous owner also had an aftermarket antenna booster which the guy said wasn't needed for some reason. And yeh it has climate control.

I'm not afraid of swapping and soldering the speaker wire but just want to know where to tap into the illumination. I hope I don't have to go behind the cluster to the light switch.

I've installed a few head units in my time but I didn't want to risk cutting into wires as it was cut and spliced a few times.

Thanks for the offer - I'm in St Kilda but often down Ferntree Gully/Knox way.

[Manaz]

The hard part was removing the old unit (it was some ****ty Chinese/Taiwanese screen) and the wiring behind there was cut and hacked so it didn't make much sense back there.

Ah, you didn't have the OEM unit to begin with - sorry, my posts were aimed at replacment of an OEM unit. Once you've gone aftermarket (or even worse, someone before you has), all bets are off on what you'll find.

[Spyda]

The hard part was removing the old unit (it was some ****ty Chinese/Taiwanese screen) and the wiring behind there was cut and hacked so it didn't make much sense back there. The previous owner also had an aftermarket antenna booster which the guy said wasn't needed for some reason. And yeh it has climate control.

I'm not afraid of swapping and soldering the speaker wire but just want to know where to tap into the illumination. I hope I don't have to go behind the cluster to the light switch.

I've installed a few head units in my time but I didn't want to risk cutting into wires as it was cut and spliced a few times.

Thanks for the offer - I'm in St Kilda but often down Ferntree Gully/Knox way.

Ah bugga. I remember doing my gf 97 honda accord, every single wire was a different color and i didnt have a multimeter. I hate to see a hack job, espcialy on a newish car.

To find the illumination use the mutimeter. Put it on a wire and it should read zero, turn the key and it should still be zero then when u turn on the light it should read 10-12v. Keep trying wires till you get it, its a pain but what can ya do.

If you have trouble im in tullamarine.

[HOLEIN1]

in regards to the ISO connectors etc from aepro i didint have much luck, same with volkswagen...

did end up finding one, but the 'pinning' was different, so i would have had to chop and change wires anyway

ended up just splicing into the standard loom, as im tight and always put the standard HU back in before i sell a car - makes it much easier that way...

dont be too disheartened, i remember my first HU install being daunting, all takes practice, and soon enough you know what to look for... didnt help that some moron had made a mess before you either...

good job with the upgrade, aplpine make some nice HU's, and will make a good improvment over the cruddy standard one once its installed and tuned properly...

[dubbed]

Yah I've installed a high end JVC unit and two separate Alpine units in other cars as well as speakers, amps and subs. With this car I'd rather pay someone to do the work and get a warranty. I've got second thoughts about that now!

I'm going to give it a crack in the next couple of weeks (speakers will be a piece of piss) but it's the light switch button I'm concerned about. Also - should I disconnect the battery before tapping into these wires and soldering? I don't want to have to reset the throttle body or anything like that. Note: I won't be touching any power/ground wires.

[coons88]

Nah you don't need to worry about disconnecting the battery, that will just reset all your computers and annoy you

This is an awesome site for wiring diagrams, The Install Doctor http://www.installdr.com/

Click quick radio wiring info and its got info for various models of cars
Here is VW
http://www.installdr.com/Harnesses/VW-Wiring.pdf


Mk4 is a pain in the ass for trying to fit a head unit in, especially Alpine with their bulky heatsink out the back, it's tight back there!