Removing an old stereo and fitting a CD player
Tools and bits required
|
Small screwdriver (flat head)
Alan keys Ariel adaptor (not pictured) Stereo removal keys (2 prong) T20 star drive and extension |
OK so youv'e been out and bought a new CD player and I don't blame you. Astra's, Zarira's etc are great value but the lower range models (even in the noughties) came with tape players, Mad! You don't need to spend much these days to get a half decent unit, in fact the one I fitted was £49.99 from Halfords and does the job perfectly.
Before you fit a new unit though be aware that all units (unless from Vauxhall) come with some form of display, therefore part of the LCD display in your car will be made redundant. Don't worry though as the time and temperature will remain. You can however get special leads that allow you to keep this display but you need a specific lead and a specific head unit to do that.
The same goes for steering wheel controls (see a decent retailer).
Before you fit a new unit though be aware that all units (unless from Vauxhall) come with some form of display, therefore part of the LCD display in your car will be made redundant. Don't worry though as the time and temperature will remain. You can however get special leads that allow you to keep this display but you need a specific lead and a specific head unit to do that.
The same goes for steering wheel controls (see a decent retailer).
The first thing you need to be asking when you have chosen your new system is "does this stereo come with its own lead and can I see it". Some stereo's have no lead and the ISO plug from your car goes directly in the back of the new unit, if this is the case you have two options........Hack at the wiring..............Buy an adaptor lead.
If your unit comes with its own lead like mine did (above) then thats good news. Vauxhalls like all cars have two lives, one a direct live and the other a live that loops the steering column. In Vauxhalls though these are opposite. This is why you ideally need a unit with its own lead. As you can see from the pic the leads YELLOW and RED leads have butted attachments already on them. You need to switch these around, see pic below.
If your unit comes with its own lead like mine did (above) then thats good news. Vauxhalls like all cars have two lives, one a direct live and the other a live that loops the steering column. In Vauxhalls though these are opposite. This is why you ideally need a unit with its own lead. As you can see from the pic the leads YELLOW and RED leads have butted attachments already on them. You need to switch these around, see pic below.
Your next job is to remove the old unit, simply remove the 4 bolts (if they are there) with your alan key (sorry I don't know the size) then put in the two stereo removers, pushing in firmly. Grab the holders with each hand, pull to the side and out. See pics below.
Now the unit is removed you will need to carefully remove the cage by undoing the T20 star bolt from the back, removing the cage and the 3 connector blocks from the back, they are all joined. You then need to remove the ariel.
Now connect the new wiring loom to the one in the car, there will be one large block spare (this is for the LED display). Feed the loom through the new cage (which you need to remove form the new unit), place the cage in the place of the old one and secure by bending down all of the tabs nice and tightly. See pic.
Now plug in the ariel lead using the adaptor you should have bought (some units come with them), olug in the stereo and rest it in the hole. Make sure the stereo works before pushing it in. Also set a radio station, turn off the igniotion, remove the key and see if the station you set is still set, if so secure the unit in fully. The wiring may require some manipulation.