Technical How to change the head unit

[tsinc80697]

Hi,

Sorry if this has been asked before but I couldn't find a guide for it. My girlfriends just bought a Fiat 500 Pop and was looking to put another head unit into it, how do I get the OEM one out?

Do I need to take the dash off to get to the head unit as I have seen a YouTube video for this but didn't want to take the whole dash off if there is a simpler way of swapping the head unit!

Also, do I just need an ISO lead for the new head unit? It's a Pioneer.

Thanks

 

[mjsmke]

There are 4 blank buttons (2 on each side) that pop off with a small screwdriver. Then you need to insert a Car Audio Release Tool...
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_734063_langId_-1_categoryId_165626

then the head unit pulls out. Simple!

I dont know about the ISO connecter, both my old puntos didnt need one so the 500 may be the same.

You will need a facia plate as the aftermarket head unit will be smaller.

 

[Lloyd71]

If it's a brand new head unit it will likely come with an ISO adapter if you need one.

 

[Sutts]

Hi
Can anyone tell me if they have fitted a double din head unit into the 500? It seems that there are two fascia plates that you can purchase...this type (in black or cream):

http://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/connects2-ct23ft12-fiat-2005-pearl-double-fascia-fitting-p-25091.html

I understand that you have to 'lose' the air vents to fit this one, but what do you do with the air pipes..do they have to be blanked off?
Or there is this one (very expensive) that retains the air vents:

http://www.caraudioni.com/double-din-complete-kits-fiat-double-din-complete-kit-c-145_102_1727_1748/connects2-ctkft02-fiat-500-2008-black-double-din-fitting-kit-p-6555

I would like to see a photo of the completed job before I put my unit in, if anyone has done it!

 

[loveshandbags]

Hi
Can anyone tell me if they have fitted a double din head unit into the 500? It seems that there are two fascia plates that you can purchase...this type (in black or cream):

http://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/connects2-ct23ft12-fiat-2005-pearl-double-fascia-fitting-p-25091.html

I understand that you have to 'lose' the air vents to fit this one, but what do you do with the air pipes..do they have to be blanked off?
Or there is this one (very expensive) that retains the air vents:

http://www.caraudioni.com/double-din-complete-kits-fiat-double-din-complete-kit-c-145_102_1727_1748/connects2-ctkft02-fiat-500-2008-black-double-din-fitting-kit-p-6555

I would like to see a photo of the completed job before I put my unit in, if anyone has done it!

I would recommend not losing the vents and specifying interscope if you want a better sound system.

 

[Sutts]

I would recommend not losing the vents and specifying interscope if you want a better sound system.

Sorry, what is 'interscope'?

 

[loveshandbags]

Sorry, what is 'interscope'?

I just had a quick check on Maxi's guide (it's a sticky) and there's no mention of the interscope - but a search of the word will give quite a few 'hits'.

Interscope is an upgraded sound system with a woofer under the driver's seat. It's excellent value at £265 if you are into music. It cannot be retrofitted.
If you change the head unit you will end up in all sort of problems since the wiring on the 500 is CANBUS (means you cannot add stuff easily).
In the US they have a 'proper' music system by BOSE but it's part of a package and costs $1,200 or thereabouts (price was reduced from $1,500 (I think).
So the interscope option is really a no brainer.
One downside of specifying the upgrade is that you lose the underseat storage on the Passenger seat (legacy of the car being orginally LHD).
One individual reported few bowel problems with the RHD positioning of the woofer.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

If you change the head unit you will end up in all sort of problems since the wiring on the 500 is CANBUS (means you cannot add stuff easily)

it's only canbus in as far as dash display and steering controls. Fitting an aftermarket HU has no bearing on the canbus system and is no issue what so ever

You just loose dash repeat display and possibly steering controls depending upon unit.

 

[mjsmke]

Some of the ISO adapters allow you to use steering wheel controls on some cars. The 500 has been around a while so there might be one available.

 

[miklysa]

I want to put an amplifier and a subwoofer in my 500. I read somwhere that I need a special kind of wiring to go from high to low signals? Anyone care to explain?

 

[mjsmke]

I want to put an amplifier and a subwoofer in my 500. I read somwhere that I need a special kind of wiring to go from high to low signals? Anyone care to explain?

If you want to contunue using the original head unit thenm you will need to take a feed from both left and right rear speakers, (or front speakers but the rear is easier). Then plug them into the Amp which should come with an adapter for this.

You will also need power to the amp which must come direct from the battery. The earth can plug on to any bolt to the car body.

The tricky part, if your using the original head unit, will be the remote lead from the amp. This turns the amp on when you turn the car or stereo on. I dont know if there is a suitable lead behind the head unit. You may need research that.

If your using an aftermarket head unit, all the required connections will be at the back of the head unit. Except the power lead.

 

[miklysa]

If you want to contunue using the original head unit thenm you will need to take a feed from both left and right rear speakers, (or front speakers but the rear is easier). Then plug them into the Amp which should come with an adapter for this.

You will also need power to the amp which must come direct from the battery. The earth can plug on to any bolt to the car body.

The tricky part, if your using the original head unit, will be the remote lead from the amp. This turns the amp on when you turn the car or stereo on. I dont know if there is a suitable lead behind the head unit. You may need research that.

If your using an aftermarket head unit, all the required connections will be at the back of the head unit. Except the power lead.

I was planning on using the original head unit since i'd need an adapter for an aftermarket one + the steering wheel controls wouldn't work anymore.
Sounds like a lot of job just to get some sound. I've done this in many cars before but those were old cars where I could change out the head unit thus making it an easier task to get the remote lead and such.

 

[mjsmke]

The remote lead is just a 12v low amp signal, so you might be able to take a feed from your daylights?

 

[loveshandbags]

it's only canbus in as far as dash display and steering controls. Fitting an aftermarket HU has no bearing on the canbus system and is no issue what so ever

You just loose dash repeat display and possibly steering controls depending upon unit.

Thanks for that MEP. I had over simplified the response since I got the impression the Poster had just put his order in for his new 500 and by 'keeping it simple' my response wasn't technically correct.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Thanks for that MEP. I had over simplified the response since I got the impression the Poster had just put his order in for his new 500 and by 'keeping it simple' my response wasn't technically correct.

No worries, lol. Although you are correct if op wants to keep steerig controls etc. Lol.

 

[Sutts]

I found that double din fascia plate at half the price of the link I gave earlier (with the air vents retained).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CT23FT13-Fiat-500-2008-Onwards-Double-Din-Fascia-Stereo-/150613049338

I would still like to see a photo of one in place before doing it though! Mind you, better get the car first.

 

[loveshandbags]

I found that double din fascia plate at half the price of the link I gave earlier (with the air vents retained).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CT23FT13-Fiat-500-2008-Onwards-Double-Din-Fascia-Stereo-/150613049338

I would still like to see a photo of one in place before doing it though! Mind you, better get the car first.

You must have a fairly serious head unit. Is it one that you have 'carried over' from another car ?

I did once see a picture of an aftermarket unit in a A500 for sale on autotrader and it looked terrible but I'd imagine it all depends on what the head unit looks like.

 

[Sutts]

You must have a fairly serious head unit. Is it one that you have 'carried over' from another car ?

I did once see a picture of an aftermarket unit in a A500 for sale on autotrader and it looked terrible but I'd imagine it all depends on what the head unit looks like.

Yes, it's a Kenwood unit that I bought over from my Mito.

Kenwood DNX-5260BT Car CD/DVD/DivX 6.5in SatNav: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

It's an integrated sat nav, Bluetooth, DVD and stereo system. I also have an under seat sub and upgraded front door speakers to put back in. I am wondering if the steering wheel controls and the cables that I bought for the Mito can be used on the 500, not only because the steering wheel buttons look exactly the same (and the Alfa had Blue and Me as well) but also because Alfa and Fiat share some common parts don't they?

 

[mjsmke]

Ask in a halfords branch about the steering wheel controls. There might be an ISO plug for the steering wheel controls too. They make them for loads of cars.

 

[306maxi]

I found that double din fascia plate at half the price of the link I gave earlier (with the air vents retained).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CT23FT13-Fiat-500-2008-Onwards-Double-Din-Fascia-Stereo-/150613049338

I would still like to see a photo of one in place before doing it though! Mind you, better get the car first.

Whilst you will still have vents, they're not going to work well with that. Personally I would say that having good ventilation is FAR more important.