Replacing The Skoda Radio

Welliesorter · 04-06-2003, 11:11

I asked about this in another thread but it wasn't strictly relevant there. Has anyone here replaced their Skoda 202 radio/cassette player, as used in the more basic Fabias? This model isn't compatible with CD changers.

I just want a basic single CD player that plays MP3s.

What's involved in doing this, and where's the best place to get the adaptor plate to make a standard unit fit? Do Skoda dealers keep these in stock? Are any other bits required to make an alternative player work or fit?

TIA

Welliesorter

**TaviaRS** · 04-06-2003, 11:15

I believe Stimps has done this

**robmawer** · 04-06-2003, 11:20

When I was looking for a car, I did enquire with the dealear about getting a CD player
in a Fabia (one of my "desires" was a CD changer). They said it would involve upgrading
the headunit to another one which was compatible with the changer, then fitting the
changer. Or, if I just wanted a single slot one, they'd just put an aftermarket one in as
it was easier.

Which won't tell you a lot, except that it si possible to do!

I'd imagine (from having done
swaps on Micras and Astras), it's pretty much a case of getting a wiring adaptor from
somewhere like Halfords and plugging that between the existing loom and the new unit.
I'm not sure on the adaptor plates, I'd imagine if you need one Halfords will also have
them.

You might have issues with the aerial though...some people have had poor reception after
swapping the unit, possibly something to do with the power to the aerial or something...(?)

Rob.

Stimps · 04-06-2003, 11:25

Hi Wellie,

As TaviaRS says, I have indeed done this

First of all - Facia Adaptors. Mine was from AutoLeads - see this page on their website for details. You should be able to get on in your local Halfords, or they could order one for you (alternatively, buy from autoloeads direct)

You may or may not need an aerial adaptor too.

I paid a local company £45 to install a kenwood head unit and multichanger. Having said that, you should be able to do it yourself if you're feeling adventurous

If you are going to do it yourself, get the right tools (stardrive?) to undo the screws on the glove box - the whole side of the dash should then slide out, giving you access to the back area of the headunit.

Be aware that there is limited room between the back of the head unit and part of the bulkhead. If you're just swapping HUs then you should be ok (mine has the aerial, connectors, RCAs and multichanger leads all stuck at the back!).

As far as I know you won't need an adaptor for the main connector block, although I'm sure I'll quickly be corrected if I'm wrong!

Lastly - you'll probably need some sort of removal tool to "unlock" the present head unit so that it will slide out. As I didn't remove my old one, I can't say if these are necessary!

There's now an ICE forum where this thread will probably end up - try having a look through to see what others have done

Stimps

BTW - Just seen Rob's post. I have no probs with radio reception using the new HU and the standard Fabia aerial...

devonutopia · 04-06-2003, 11:27

I got a single CD Kenwood player for my Fabia. It doesn't play MP3's, but then I can just rip them onto CD, as the unit is CD-R compatible.

I hope you're chuffed with the general sound of the speakers, etc. I've never wanted to change mine yet, something Octy drivers have been forced to do, to get a decent sound.

I did have to get a signal boost fitted to my setup, as there was a problem between my aerial and the new stereo, but it was dirt cheap, and any decent car hi-fi shop should do it. I used "mobile radio" in Exeter, but I don't know if they have any other outlets around the UK. They supplied the casing to adapt the existing hole, to the new unit, and a lovely looking silver blanking off plate (because the CD player is about 60% narrower than the original Skoda unit)

Apart from that, it was a very painless job to go from radio/tape to CD player and I'd recommend it to anyone

Welliesorter · 04-06-2003, 11:34

Wow! Thanks for the rapid replies.

I hadn't spotted the ICE forum.

What does the adaptor thingy consist of? Is it just a plate to make the hole smaller? If so, what holds the replacement player in place?

TIA

**TaviaRS** · 04-06-2003, 11:34

Stimps I moved it before you posted

FabiaTDi · 04-06-2003, 11:36

Hello welliesorter,

I got a Blaupunkt single shot CD player which sounds fine.

I bought the facia adaptor at In car discount

You may also need a wiring adaptor available from Bluespot

I needed the adaptor on mine, but not sure if this is just for Blaupunkt.

Nice friendly local Skoda dealer lent me the tool for removing the original unit.

Stimps · 04-06-2003, 11:43

Matthew - Either the picture on the In Car Discount is upside down, or the company I used stuck mine on upside down - although my HU fits perfectly! That's the autoleads plate they've got there

Wellie - I'll try and take a pic tonight if I remember (or maybe even today) so you can see how the plate looks. IMHO it blends in pretty well!

SkodiRS · 04-06-2003, 11:45

My dealer just released the standard Hu for me; no charge.

As for the adapter I'm not sure. I kind of assumed it was for all aftermarket HU as it's for connecting to the Blaupunkt type wiring loom of the car; better check this out before buying though.

There is a link some where for the memory loss and K-line problems. The K-line problem is easily solved by making sure that you short out the correct pin i.e remove relevant connection from pin3 on multi-connector III.

Cheers.
Adrian.

p.s my dealer didn't know about either problems and Halfords didn't either.

Stimps · 04-06-2003, 11:49

If for some reason your dealer won't lend you the removal tool, you can get a variety of different types from Halfords

FabiaTDi · 04-06-2003, 11:56

Quote:

Originally posted by Stimps in this post
Matthew - Either the picture on the In Car Discount is upside down, or the company I used stuck mine on upside down - although my HU fits perfectly! That's the autoleads plate they've got there

Yes you're right, looks like the've got it upside down!

Mine fits well, but there is a slight gap between the bottom of the HU and the storage tray thing.
Was thinking of fitting the push release tray from the elegance, as you dont get the gap with this.

devonutopia · 04-06-2003, 12:05

I wish I had a digital camera of my own - The company I used did a real tidy job on my CD player. Wish I had a piccie...

Stimps · 04-06-2003, 12:09

Here's a pic of mine - had to pop out to the car to get something, so took the phone with me and grabbed a quick piccie...

devonutopia · 04-06-2003, 12:13

Nice. My unit (I don't know if you saw it at NEC meet?) is similar, but the blanking off plate above the unit is about twice the size, and silver in colour to match the player. I may have to invest in one of those cheap tiny digital's some time...

Welliesorter · 05-06-2003, 00:26

Thanks again for all the replies, especially to Stimps for posting the picture. I've had a chat today with a Fabia owning colleague. He paid Halfords to fit his JVC player but said he'd be happy to tackle it himself next time. He's got the tool for removing his current player but isn't sure whether it can be used to remove the original Skoda one.

I've taken the plunge and ordered the face plate and a Sony player. I'll work out what else I need at the weekend and update you on whether I'm successful.

FabiaBlackline · 05-06-2003, 04:58

I have changed the head unit to a Sony CDX-L450 which is a single CD player. I got a local firm to fit it in for me which cost £40, this included the blanking plate, which has got a gap at the bottom, same as FabiaTDi! I did have the electrical adapter block though, coz my father-in-law had it fitted in his Fabia first! The only problem I am experiencing is the fact that it has 3 levels of bass and on the 3rd level and quite loud the front speakers distort slightly (or the panel rattles) I'm not sure which - and before you say it I could turn it down - but I was wondering whether anyone had tried the Octavia speaker trick on a Fabia? It's a brilliant effect when you get a really good bass track and the door mirrors vibrate!!

Stimps · 05-06-2003, 08:11

Quote:

It's a brilliant effect when you get a really good bass track and the door mirrors vibrate!!

*cough* subwoofer! *cough*

Stimps · 05-06-2003, 08:15

Wellie - which Sony H.U. did you order? The CDXMP40? (details)

If so, post a quick review somewhere once it's up and running - I was quite tempted to go down the MP3 route... may still end up doing so now I finally have broadband at home

devonutopia · 05-06-2003, 08:32

Found one of the best bass tracks this morning, its not a "nts nts nts nts" one, but that song "It's been a while" by Staind. Plenty of bass guitar in that to get your insides shaking on max bass.

PS: I'm going to cry I think - I'm never going to get on bloody broadband down here.

04-06-2003, 11:11	#1
Welliesorter Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Leics Posts: 257 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Replacing The Skoda Radio I asked about this in another thread but it wasn't strictly relevant there. Has anyone here replaced their Skoda 202 radio/cassette player, as used in the more basic Fabias? This model isn't compatible with CD changers. I just want a basic single CD player that plays MP3s. What's involved in doing this, and where's the best place to get the adaptor plate to make a standard unit fit? Do Skoda dealers keep these in stock? Are any other bits required to make an alternative player work or fit? TIA Welliesorter

04-06-2003, 11:15	#2
TaviaRS Dinosaur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North of the Watford Gap Posts: 14,918 Thanks: 19 Thanked 42 Times in 38 Posts	I believe Stimps has done this __________________ A jolly sensible Mercedes E class saloon in a rather fetching bluey grey colour. No it isn't fast, no it isn't modded, and yes, it will still eat your Fabia for breakfast. Official mobile chicane for Briskoda trackdays

04-06-2003, 11:20	#3
robmawer Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rochdale Posts: 12,371 Thanks: 2 Thanked 63 Times in 56 Posts	When I was looking for a car, I did enquire with the dealear about getting a CD player in a Fabia (one of my "desires" was a CD changer). They said it would involve upgrading the headunit to another one which was compatible with the changer, then fitting the changer. Or, if I just wanted a single slot one, they'd just put an aftermarket one in as it was easier. Which won't tell you a lot, except that it si possible to do! I'd imagine (from having done swaps on Micras and Astras), it's pretty much a case of getting a wiring adaptor from somewhere like Halfords and plugging that between the existing loom and the new unit. I'm not sure on the adaptor plates, I'd imagine if you need one Halfords will also have them. You might have issues with the aerial though...some people have had poor reception after swapping the unit, possibly something to do with the power to the aerial or something...(?) Rob. __________________

04-06-2003, 11:25	#4
Stimps Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Colchester Posts: 5,091 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Wellie, As TaviaRS says, I have indeed done this First of all - Facia Adaptors. Mine was from AutoLeads - see this page on their website for details. You should be able to get on in your local Halfords, or they could order one for you (alternatively, buy from autoloeads direct) You may or may not need an aerial adaptor too. I paid a local company £45 to install a kenwood head unit and multichanger. Having said that, you should be able to do it yourself if you're feeling adventurous If you are going to do it yourself, get the right tools (stardrive?) to undo the screws on the glove box - the whole side of the dash should then slide out, giving you access to the back area of the headunit. Be aware that there is limited room between the back of the head unit and part of the bulkhead. If you're just swapping HUs then you should be ok (mine has the aerial, connectors, RCAs and multichanger leads all stuck at the back!). As far as I know you won't need an adaptor for the main connector block, although I'm sure I'll quickly be corrected if I'm wrong! Lastly - you'll probably need some sort of removal tool to "unlock" the present head unit so that it will slide out. As I didn't remove my old one, I can't say if these are necessary! There's now an ICE forum where this thread will probably end up - try having a look through to see what others have done Stimps BTW - Just seen Rob's post. I have no probs with radio reception using the new HU and the standard Fabia aerial... __________________ Steve « Nature Green 1.4 16v Fabia Comfort »

04-06-2003, 11:27	#5
devonutopia Mongreller Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ooo-ar, Oi be from Devonshire Posts: 29,108 Thanks: 60 Thanked 280 Times in 226 Posts	I got a single CD Kenwood player for my Fabia. It doesn't play MP3's, but then I can just rip them onto CD, as the unit is CD-R compatible. I hope you're chuffed with the general sound of the speakers, etc. I've never wanted to change mine yet, something Octy drivers have been forced to do, to get a decent sound. I did have to get a signal boost fitted to my setup, as there was a problem between my aerial and the new stereo, but it was dirt cheap, and any decent car hi-fi shop should do it. I used "mobile radio" in Exeter, but I don't know if they have any other outlets around the UK. They supplied the casing to adapt the existing hole, to the new unit, and a lovely looking silver blanking off plate (because the CD player is about 60% narrower than the original Skoda unit) Apart from that, it was a very painless job to go from radio/tape to CD player and I'd recommend it to anyone __________________ Jason - Mongrel owner! WOOOOF! Grrrrr Custom Fabia Bonnet Lifter Kits - £45! Click Me. See the mongrel's 260bhp Dyno Video!

04-06-2003, 11:34	#6
Welliesorter Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Leics Posts: 257 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Wow! Thanks for the rapid replies. I hadn't spotted the ICE forum. What does the adaptor thingy consist of? Is it just a plate to make the hole smaller? If so, what holds the replacement player in place? TIA

04-06-2003, 11:34	#7
TaviaRS Dinosaur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North of the Watford Gap Posts: 14,918 Thanks: 19 Thanked 42 Times in 38 Posts	Stimps I moved it before you posted __________________ A jolly sensible Mercedes E class saloon in a rather fetching bluey grey colour. No it isn't fast, no it isn't modded, and yes, it will still eat your Fabia for breakfast. Official mobile chicane for Briskoda trackdays

04-06-2003, 11:36	#8
FabiaTDi VT5 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 2,016 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hello welliesorter, I got a Blaupunkt single shot CD player which sounds fine. I bought the facia adaptor at In car discount You may also need a wiring adaptor available from Bluespot I needed the adaptor on mine, but not sure if this is just for Blaupunkt. Nice friendly local Skoda dealer lent me the tool for removing the original unit. __________________ Was: Allard Tuned Fabia vRS VT5 Turbo Conversion Now: '06 BMW 320i Auto On Order: New Audi A3 Sportback TDI

04-06-2003, 11:43	#9
Stimps Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Colchester Posts: 5,091 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Matthew - Either the picture on the In Car Discount is upside down, or the company I used stuck mine on upside down - although my HU fits perfectly! That's the autoleads plate they've got there Wellie - I'll try and take a pic tonight if I remember (or maybe even today) so you can see how the plate looks. IMHO it blends in pretty well! __________________ Steve « Nature Green 1.4 16v Fabia Comfort »

04-06-2003, 11:45	#10
SkodiRS BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: darkest Hampshire Posts: 8,650 Thanks: 0 Thanked 17 Times in 13 Posts	My dealer just released the standard Hu for me; no charge. As for the adapter I'm not sure. I kind of assumed it was for all aftermarket HU as it's for connecting to the Blaupunkt type wiring loom of the car; better check this out before buying though. There is a link some where for the memory loss and K-line problems. The K-line problem is easily solved by making sure that you short out the correct pin i.e remove relevant connection from pin3 on multi-connector III. Cheers. Adrian. p.s my dealer didn't know about either problems and Halfords didn't either.

04-06-2003, 11:49	#11
Stimps Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Colchester Posts: 5,091 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If for some reason your dealer won't lend you the removal tool, you can get a variety of different types from Halfords __________________ Steve « Nature Green 1.4 16v Fabia Comfort »

04-06-2003, 12:05	#13
devonutopia Mongreller Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ooo-ar, Oi be from Devonshire Posts: 29,108 Thanks: 60 Thanked 280 Times in 226 Posts	I wish I had a digital camera of my own - The company I used did a real tidy job on my CD player. Wish I had a piccie... __________________ Jason - Mongrel owner! WOOOOF! Grrrrr Custom Fabia Bonnet Lifter Kits - £45! Click Me. See the mongrel's 260bhp Dyno Video!

04-06-2003, 12:09	#14
Stimps Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Colchester Posts: 5,091 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Here's a pic of mine - had to pop out to the car to get something, so took the phone with me and grabbed a quick piccie... __________________ Steve « Nature Green 1.4 16v Fabia Comfort » Last edited by Stimps; 09-05-2007 at 13:32.

04-06-2003, 12:13	#15
devonutopia Mongreller Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ooo-ar, Oi be from Devonshire Posts: 29,108 Thanks: 60 Thanked 280 Times in 226 Posts	Nice. My unit (I don't know if you saw it at NEC meet?) is similar, but the blanking off plate above the unit is about twice the size, and silver in colour to match the player. I may have to invest in one of those cheap tiny digital's some time... __________________ Jason - Mongrel owner! WOOOOF! Grrrrr Custom Fabia Bonnet Lifter Kits - £45! Click Me. See the mongrel's 260bhp Dyno Video!

05-06-2003, 00:26	#16
Welliesorter Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Leics Posts: 257 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks again for all the replies, especially to Stimps for posting the picture. I've had a chat today with a Fabia owning colleague. He paid Halfords to fit his JVC player but said he'd be happy to tackle it himself next time. He's got the tool for removing his current player but isn't sure whether it can be used to remove the original Skoda one. I've taken the plunge and ordered the face plate and a Sony player. I'll work out what else I need at the weekend and update you on whether I'm successful.

05-06-2003, 04:58	#17
FabiaBlackline Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Heathfield, East Sussex Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have changed the head unit to a Sony CDX-L450 which is a single CD player. I got a local firm to fit it in for me which cost £40, this included the blanking plate, which has got a gap at the bottom, same as FabiaTDi! I did have the electrical adapter block though, coz my father-in-law had it fitted in his Fabia first! The only problem I am experiencing is the fact that it has 3 levels of bass and on the 3rd level and quite loud the front speakers distort slightly (or the panel rattles) I'm not sure which - and before you say it I could turn it down - but I was wondering whether anyone had tried the Octavia speaker trick on a Fabia? It's a brilliant effect when you get a really good bass track and the door mirrors vibrate!!

05-06-2003, 08:15	#19
Stimps Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Colchester Posts: 5,091 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Wellie - which Sony H.U. did you order? The CDXMP40? (details) If so, post a quick review somewhere once it's up and running - I was quite tempted to go down the MP3 route... may still end up doing so now I finally have broadband at home __________________ Steve « Nature Green 1.4 16v Fabia Comfort »

05-06-2003, 08:32	#20
devonutopia Mongreller Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ooo-ar, Oi be from Devonshire Posts: 29,108 Thanks: 60 Thanked 280 Times in 226 Posts	Found one of the best bass tracks this morning, its not a "nts nts nts nts" one, but that song "It's been a while" by Staind. Plenty of bass guitar in that to get your insides shaking on max bass. PS: I'm going to cry I think - I'm never going to get on bloody broadband down here. __________________ Jason - Mongrel owner! WOOOOF! Grrrrr Custom Fabia Bonnet Lifter Kits - £45! Click Me. See the mongrel's 260bhp Dyno Video!

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