Installing new head unit

[babaa]

I've just found out that my new Sony head unit will be arriving in a week or 2, but so I don't have to stop and start the job of installing it once I get going, can someone just clear up a few quick questions:

1 - I've read that cutting up a credit card is the easy way to get the existing Aura CD unit out, but are the 2 slots that I push them into actually the holes about 0.5cm up from the bottom of the unit (one beneath the volume, and one beneath the 5 button), or should I be looking for slots literally on the underneath of the unit?

2 - In terms of keeping the cabling as simple as possible I was thinking of getting the following adapter kit http://www.nexxia.co.uk/head_unit_fitting_kits/seat.htm (the FKS 474 kit for £25). But am not sure whether the PC5-90 is the correct aerial booster I have read about needing, and also if I get this cable adapter do I need to do something (i.e. disconnect) the 'K line' or can I just plug it straight in and not worry about anything plugging in and going pop.

3 - If I need to mess about with disconnecting any wires, then can I also just swap 2 other wires over in the standard connector block (can't remember which off hand, but can have a search), and then totally do away with this part of the adapter kit altogether?

Cheers for any help/advice on this.

[Scotty_b]

Can i buy the arial booster anywhere? a si have the iso block and facia and i pick my radio up on saturday (hopefully)

[Icecavern]

Scott I have one spare, it's attached to the ISO adapter already but you could remove it if you needed to. You can have it for £10.50 all in if you like, PM me if you want it.

Pete

[Scotty_b]

I kind of need it this weekend. Is it seat specific or should most audi places stock it?

[Icecavern]

I could pop it in the post first thing, be with you saturday then.

You might be able to get one at you're local halfords if they have one in stock.

[Scotty_b]

HMMM not sure what to do if i can get one at any audio center (im goung to caraudiosecurity.com in totenham court road) to get it i will pick it up then to make sure i have it as our post is cr4p. But if there specific i may have it!

[Icecavern]

phone em up and ask if they have one mate.

Pete

[babaa]

Anyone got any answers to my questions at the top?

[Icecavern]

Ooops sorry

Originally Posted by babaa

1 - I've read that cutting up a credit card is the easy way to get the existing Aura CD unit out, but are the 2 slots that I push them into actually the holes about 0.5cm up from the bottom of the unit (one beneath the volume, and one beneath the 5 button), or should I be looking for slots literally on the underneath of the unit?

Yes the holes you are talking about are the right ones. I've got the pics for a howto on changing the HU but haven't finished it yet.

Originally Posted by babaa

2 - In terms of keeping the cabling as simple as possible I was thinking of getting the following adapter kit http://www.nexxia.co.uk/head_unit_fitting_kits/seat.htm (the FKS 474 kit for £25). But am not sure whether the PC5-90 is the correct aerial booster I have read about needing, and also if I get this cable adapter do I need to do something (i.e. disconnect) the 'K line' or can I just plug it straight in and not worry about anything plugging in and going pop.

Yes that is the right kit, you won't need to worry about any extra wires with that kit, the loom adapter cable doesn't connect any that are important.

Originally Posted by babaa

3 - If I need to mess about with disconnecting any wires, then can I also just swap 2 other wires over in the standard connector block (can't remember which off hand, but can have a search), and then totally do away with this part of the adapter kit altogether?

If you use the adapter you don;t have to swap any wires on the Stereo loom.

Pete

[babaa]

Thanks for that Pete.

So just to clarify the last detail - if I use the kit then I don't need to do anything with the 'K line' wire to stop the issues I have heard with it breaking people's VAG-COM?

Cheers

[CH_2003]

Sorry to hi-jack the thread but I've got a Pioneer stereo that I had fitted in my old car and I'm wanting to fit it in my Leon. It came with it's own loom. Should I be able to use this instead of buying the loom from Nexxia. I'm gonna order the facia adapter anyway but don't want to order the loom if I don't need it.

[babaa]

After getting my Sony head unit fitted, I didn't end up needing the cabling adapter bit that I had bought after all.

The Sony cabling already had bullet connectors for the red & yellow wires allowing you to swap them round easily. I did still need the aerial adaptor/booster bit though, and struggled for a while trying to make the end of the blue wire from this fit the existing Seat connector block - until I noticed a small brightly coloured plug to slide out of the side to loosen up all the cable ends.

I suppose it comes down to whether you are happy, able to switch over the red/yellow wires on your Pioneer loom without any problems, and get the blue wire from the aerial connected in?

Only other thing I would say is that it didn't look like there was loads of spare room to fit the adapter if I did need to use it without things getting all squashed up/rattling about.

[CH_2003]

Cheers Babaa

It should be fine as I had to swap the wires when I fitted it to my Astra. I'll just go ahead and order the facia and the aerial booster thingy