Fitting a new head unit

The The · 23-10-2005, 10:30

I have just sent for a JVC KD DB711 and a Dab Ariel, what do I need, to fit it into a standard Fabia vRS? You can get wiring converters for VW/Audi at halfords, is this all I need or do I also need an extra permanent live. The guy in Halfords says just plugging it in will burn out the head unit! I think he was just being a T***er but any advice would be great.

dstev2000 · 23-10-2005, 11:04

VAG cars need the permanent live and switched live from igntion swapped over if you put an aftermarket HU in there. Most if not all HU's have the facility to swap the yellow and red leads over for that exact reason.

Guy in halfords =

Do you need a wiring converter? I thought VAG HU connectors were DIN standard?

The The · 23-10-2005, 11:13

So if i buy the VW wiring coverter with the brown and black plugs will that be the job done or do i need an extra live to stop the settings being lost when i turn the ignition off?

dstev2000 · 23-10-2005, 11:20

You dont need a seperate live or anything like that, you have the 2 feeds alreay there, the permanent live and the switched live.
I havent seen the VAG converter so I don't know what it does, my head unit plugged straight into the existing brown and black ISO plugs. All I did is swap the red and yellow cables over and off you go!

I also got an FM amplifier as well, the VAG head units have them built in, aftermarket units do not but try it first.

The The · 23-10-2005, 11:27

so i need to cut and change round the red and yellow cables, in the plug that supplies the power? can't remember if that is the brown or black plugs.

dstev2000 · 23-10-2005, 11:29

There is also the little issue of the K line,

You should read this http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/aftermarket-radio.html

It shouldn't be a problem for you but it's best if you read it so you know all the facts.

dstev2000 · 23-10-2005, 11:31

Thats pretty much all you need to do, the red and yellow cables on your HU should have bullet plugs along them, all you do is swap them, you don't need to do anything with the cars wiring harness.

The brown and black plugs have tabs on them, one is in the middle and the other is on the end so you cant get them wrong.

The The · 23-10-2005, 11:36

Thanks for the help,

dstev2000 · 23-10-2005, 11:39

No probs, if you get stuck again or are unsure, there are loads of people on here who are in the know so someone will definately help out.

The The · 23-10-2005, 12:00

Just one more question, does a Dab head unit like the Jvc I am buying take a standard aerial coax cable as well as the Dab aerial cable, as I was going to just use the FM/MW until I decide what type of Dab aerial I am going to fit.

bryand · 23-10-2005, 19:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by The The

Just one more question, does a Dab head unit like the Jvc I am buying take a standard aerial coax cable as well as the Dab aerial cable, as I was going to just use the FM/MW until I decide what type of Dab aerial I am going to fit.

If you want to be able to use DAB, FM and AM you'll need both the DAB aerial and the standard aerial connected. In practice, I use DAB virtually all the time, and leave the AM/FM side tuned to R4 LW for places where reception is awful.

The The · 23-10-2005, 19:54

Great So it comes with a standard aerial socket as well as a Dab aerial socket so in theory I can use the head unit with FM/AM, until I get the new aerial fitted is this correct.

ady · 24-10-2005, 18:11

most after market stereos come with a loom to fit iso. the red and yellow wires are the power feeds to the unit, by swapping these round you are changing the constant +ve feed and the ign +ve, its very rare you will need one of these adaptors that halfords sell as i used to fit stereos for halfords most manufacturers of after market stereos recongnised there was a problem and made the two live feeds switchable.

dstev2000 · 24-10-2005, 20:55

The most important after market wiring kits are the ones that allow your head unit to talk to your steering wheel controls for volume etc. The whole point of the ISO standard is to standardise all the power/speaker connections.

Doesnt your JVC DAB HU come with a DAB aerial??? The usual one is the internal one that sticks to the glass somewhere.

Marki · 24-10-2005, 22:14

I swapped the live and permanent live on my Kenwood unit. But i did it on the loom that came with the head unit. Can't see it burning out the head unit, you would just lose all your presets each time you turn the unit off.

let us know how you get on with the DAB, am thinking about getting one.

The The · 24-10-2005, 22:52

will do, the aerial is a stick on one that comes with the set, and this looks the most daunting job looking at the instructions.

bryand · 24-10-2005, 22:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by The The

will do, the aerial is a stick on one that comes with the set, and this looks the most daunting job looking at the instructions.

Blaupunkt do a combination AM/FM/DAB roof aerial, which works well, but is expensive. Totally stealth, though and probably better reception than a glass aerial.

huey · 26-10-2005, 12:16

Hi, just read through this with interest. I am having my JVC dab head unit fitted to my Superb tomorrow with a MP3 changer in replacement of the factor changer and also the combined Blaupunkt AM/FM/DAB aerial to replace the factory one (it looks identical to the factory one in size and fittings just looks like an extra cable coming out the bottom to connect to the dab).

I tried the existing head unit for a while but radio is so much better with dab that I decided to upgrade. I did have the glass fitted aerial before but like some others found the reception could be a bit patchy. Hence the upgrade to the more expensive Blaupunkt.

I am also having fitted my Parrot CK3100 bluetooth car kit and having my gps system wired in as well.

Will let you know how I get on.

dstev2000 · 26-10-2005, 18:33

All this talk about head units going pop sounds like scare tactics to me, as long as you stick to using the ISO connectors you really cant go wrong, as mentioned before in this thread, the worst thing that can happen is you will lose your FM presets!
If you are REALLY unlucky and do something really odd the fuse will pop, thats what it's there for!

Incidentally, I too am thinking of adding a DAB unit to my JVC KD-AVX1 head unit so i will follow this thread with anticipation re the aerials.

The The · 27-10-2005, 17:54

Thew site i bought the head unit from claims that i need this before i fit the new system, does anybody know what it does exactly? i have not ordered it as it seems a pointless outlay.

http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/prod...?product=20005

23-10-2005, 10:30	#1
The The Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North East Posts: 468 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Fitting a new head unit I have just sent for a JVC KD DB711 and a Dab Ariel, what do I need, to fit it into a standard Fabia vRS? You can get wiring converters for VW/Audi at halfords, is this all I need or do I also need an extra permanent live. The guy in Halfords says just plugging it in will burn out the head unit! I think he was just being a T**er but any advice would be great. __________________ http://www.derekslackmotors.skoda.co.uk . Last edited by The The; 23-10-2005 at 10:32.*

23-10-2005, 11:04	#2
dstev2000 Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Back in the Green Posts: 3,842 Thanks: 38 Thanked 152 Times in 138 Posts	VAG cars need the permanent live and switched live from igntion swapped over if you put an aftermarket HU in there. Most if not all HU's have the facility to swap the yellow and red leads over for that exact reason. Guy in halfords = Do you need a wiring converter? I thought VAG HU connectors were DIN standard? __________________ MY08 L&K: Black-Estate-Diesel-Sunset Glass-MFD2-W8 Interior light-Colour coded door strips-LED sidelights and Puddle lights-VAG-COM fettled-Lovely! SWMBO's: MY08 vRS TDI - Standard

23-10-2005, 11:13	#3
The The Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North East Posts: 468 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	So if i buy the VW wiring coverter with the brown and black plugs will that be the job done or do i need an extra live to stop the settings being lost when i turn the ignition off? __________________ http://www.derekslackmotors.skoda.co.uk .

23-10-2005, 11:20	#4
dstev2000 Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Back in the Green Posts: 3,842 Thanks: 38 Thanked 152 Times in 138 Posts	You dont need a seperate live or anything like that, you have the 2 feeds alreay there, the permanent live and the switched live. I havent seen the VAG converter so I don't know what it does, my head unit plugged straight into the existing brown and black ISO plugs. All I did is swap the red and yellow cables over and off you go! I also got an FM amplifier as well, the VAG head units have them built in, aftermarket units do not but try it first. __________________ MY08 L&K: Black-Estate-Diesel-Sunset Glass-MFD2-W8 Interior light-Colour coded door strips-LED sidelights and Puddle lights-VAG-COM fettled-Lovely! SWMBO's: MY08 vRS TDI - Standard

23-10-2005, 11:27	#5
The The Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North East Posts: 468 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	so i need to cut and change round the red and yellow cables, in the plug that supplies the power? can't remember if that is the brown or black plugs. __________________ http://www.derekslackmotors.skoda.co.uk .

23-10-2005, 11:29	#6
dstev2000 Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Back in the Green Posts: 3,842 Thanks: 38 Thanked 152 Times in 138 Posts	There is also the little issue of the K line, You should read this http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/aftermarket-radio.html It shouldn't be a problem for you but it's best if you read it so you know all the facts. __________________ MY08 L&K: Black-Estate-Diesel-Sunset Glass-MFD2-W8 Interior light-Colour coded door strips-LED sidelights and Puddle lights-VAG-COM fettled-Lovely! SWMBO's: MY08 vRS TDI - Standard

23-10-2005, 11:31	#7
dstev2000 Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Back in the Green Posts: 3,842 Thanks: 38 Thanked 152 Times in 138 Posts	Thats pretty much all you need to do, the red and yellow cables on your HU should have bullet plugs along them, all you do is swap them, you don't need to do anything with the cars wiring harness. The brown and black plugs have tabs on them, one is in the middle and the other is on the end so you cant get them wrong. __________________ MY08 L&K: Black-Estate-Diesel-Sunset Glass-MFD2-W8 Interior light-Colour coded door strips-LED sidelights and Puddle lights-VAG-COM fettled-Lovely! SWMBO's: MY08 vRS TDI - Standard

23-10-2005, 11:36	#8
The The Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North East Posts: 468 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks for the help, __________________ http://www.derekslackmotors.skoda.co.uk .

23-10-2005, 11:39	#9
dstev2000 Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Back in the Green Posts: 3,842 Thanks: 38 Thanked 152 Times in 138 Posts	No probs, if you get stuck again or are unsure, there are loads of people on here who are in the know so someone will definately help out. __________________ MY08 L&K: Black-Estate-Diesel-Sunset Glass-MFD2-W8 Interior light-Colour coded door strips-LED sidelights and Puddle lights-VAG-COM fettled-Lovely! SWMBO's: MY08 vRS TDI - Standard

23-10-2005, 12:00	#10
The The Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North East Posts: 468 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Just one more question, does a Dab head unit like the Jvc I am buying take a standard aerial coax cable as well as the Dab aerial cable, as I was going to just use the FM/MW until I decide what type of Dab aerial I am going to fit. __________________ http://www.derekslackmotors.skoda.co.uk .

23-10-2005, 19:54	#12
The The Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North East Posts: 468 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Great So it comes with a standard aerial socket as well as a Dab aerial socket so in theory I can use the head unit with FM/AM, until I get the new aerial fitted is this correct. __________________ http://www.derekslackmotors.skoda.co.uk . Last edited by The The; 23-10-2005 at 21:49.

24-10-2005, 18:11	#13
ady Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: derby/midlands Posts: 47 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	most after market stereos come with a loom to fit iso. the red and yellow wires are the power feeds to the unit, by swapping these round you are changing the constant +ve feed and the ign +ve, its very rare you will need one of these adaptors that halfords sell as i used to fit stereos for halfords most manufacturers of after market stereos recongnised there was a problem and made the two live feeds switchable.

24-10-2005, 20:55	#14
dstev2000 Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Back in the Green Posts: 3,842 Thanks: 38 Thanked 152 Times in 138 Posts	The most important after market wiring kits are the ones that allow your head unit to talk to your steering wheel controls for volume etc. The whole point of the ISO standard is to standardise all the power/speaker connections. Doesnt your JVC DAB HU come with a DAB aerial??? The usual one is the internal one that sticks to the glass somewhere. __________________ MY08 L&K: Black-Estate-Diesel-Sunset Glass-MFD2-W8 Interior light-Colour coded door strips-LED sidelights and Puddle lights-VAG-COM fettled-Lovely! SWMBO's: MY08 vRS TDI - Standard

24-10-2005, 22:14	#15
Marki Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Weston-S-Mare Posts: 68 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I swapped the live and permanent live on my Kenwood unit. But i did it on the loom that came with the head unit. Can't see it burning out the head unit, you would just lose all your presets each time you turn the unit off. let us know how you get on with the DAB, am thinking about getting one.

24-10-2005, 22:52	#16
The The Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North East Posts: 468 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	will do, the aerial is a stick on one that comes with the set, and this looks the most daunting job looking at the instructions. __________________ http://www.derekslackmotors.skoda.co.uk .

26-10-2005, 12:16	#18
huey Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: West Midlands Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi, just read through this with interest. I am having my JVC dab head unit fitted to my Superb tomorrow with a MP3 changer in replacement of the factor changer and also the combined Blaupunkt AM/FM/DAB aerial to replace the factory one (it looks identical to the factory one in size and fittings just looks like an extra cable coming out the bottom to connect to the dab). I tried the existing head unit for a while but radio is so much better with dab that I decided to upgrade. I did have the glass fitted aerial before but like some others found the reception could be a bit patchy. Hence the upgrade to the more expensive Blaupunkt. I am also having fitted my Parrot CK3100 bluetooth car kit and having my gps system wired in as well. Will let you know how I get on.

26-10-2005, 18:33	#19
dstev2000 Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Back in the Green Posts: 3,842 Thanks: 38 Thanked 152 Times in 138 Posts	All this talk about head units going pop sounds like scare tactics to me, as long as you stick to using the ISO connectors you really cant go wrong, as mentioned before in this thread, the worst thing that can happen is you will lose your FM presets! If you are REALLY unlucky and do something really odd the fuse will pop, thats what it's there for! Incidentally, I too am thinking of adding a DAB unit to my JVC KD-AVX1 head unit so i will follow this thread with anticipation re the aerials. __________________ MY08 L&K: Black-Estate-Diesel-Sunset Glass-MFD2-W8 Interior light-Colour coded door strips-LED sidelights and Puddle lights-VAG-COM fettled-Lovely! SWMBO's: MY08 vRS TDI - Standard

27-10-2005, 17:54	#20
The The Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North East Posts: 468 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thew site i bought the head unit from claims that i need this before i fit the new system, does anybody know what it does exactly? i have not ordered it as it seems a pointless outlay. http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/prod...?product=20005 __________________ http://www.derekslackmotors.skoda.co.uk .

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