Replacing the generic Vauxhall Astra (2004) CD/Radio - Help Needed

John Squire · 22 Dec 2006 at 11:05

Hello
I've seen the Tevion car radio on sale this week & I thought I needed an upgrade. I would like some help from people that might know about doing this.

I've read on other forums about just connecting the ISO & Aerial connectors and slide the new one in.

However on taking the generic Siemens VDO stereo out, the connectors are sort of 'slide in', and as from what I gathered this isn't how most car stereos connect.

It seems as though my stereo slides into a cage....would I need to remove this as well, and if so, would the new sterro come with a new one?

I've taken some pictures to illustrate:-

Top of Radio

Back of Radio

Back of Radio (Side On)

Case in car that radio slides into

Cheers

MrCake · 22 Dec 2006 at 11:37

Yep remove the cage and the 2 smaller blocks will plug into the ISO adapter that you will need to buy. Your new stereo will come with a cage that you need to fit into the cavity left.

John Squire · 22 Dec 2006 at 12:00

Cheer for the reply, what are the mounting cages like to remove?

MrCake · 22 Dec 2006 at 12:37

In the botttom picture you can see a star screw in the middle. Remove this and then if need be gently bend the metal so that the cage is not wedged. You will need to remove the current leads from the back of the cage before removing the cage totally. Just squeeze the clips at the side of the leads and they should pop out the back.

John Squire · 22 Dec 2006 at 14:16

Update:-

I've removed the cage & bought the new stereo. The new one didn't come with a new cage, but it seems like it fits in the original one ok.

A couple of problems; the existing aerial adapter will not fit into the new stereo. (its not long enough)

Existing adapter

Back of new stereo

What adaptor would I need for this?

Also the existing ISO connectors have an extra set of pins that the new connnector doesn't account for, at a guess I'd say these are probably for the steering wheel controls. Could I buy an adapter for these too? (not a major thing for me but would llike to know anyway)

Cheers again

John Squire · 22 Dec 2006 at 17:08

Now I've got most of it sorted but as Vauxhalls have the yellow & red pin swapped on the iso connector.

I've tried swapping those 2 pins around on the wire loom connector that came with the stereo & it isn't coming out! I've tried sticking paperclips & small flathead screwdrivers to see if they are held on by a catch but its not happening.

Pictures of the back & front of connectors:-

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/adejackson/DSC00410 (Medium).JPG

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/adejackson/DSC00411 (Medium).JPG

Cheers