Technical Panda 319 CD Stereo coding?

[dante giacosa]

Hey Panda-fans,

just on the verge of my Mrs picking up her 319 MHEV City Cross, and I notice (from the pictures) that there's no slot for CD media on the headunit.

I'm already living in the past (and happy to be) with a lot of things, but this isn't going to lead to a happy future (at least for my Mrs).

I see I can buy a CD-playing version of the factory-fit headunit that the car has, but all advertised 2nd hand examples are quoted as 'without code'. I type to ask if someone can tell me what exactly is involved in getting these headunits freed-off for reuse? Has anyone done it?

I could always go for the single DIN adaptor to convert to an old fashioned headunit (like I did back in the Marea days) but I'd prefer to keep it 'factory' for her...

Any pointers gratefully received

keep-on-Panda'ing!

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

There are various other posts about this. Basically a Fiat radio from a different Panda will not function, as it is linked to security information stored in the original car’s body computer. A Fiat dealer can programme it - but at a cost rather higher than a new, non-Fiat radio unit

 

[dante giacosa]

Wow-

thanks for that 'Hillhopper...

I've had to process that for a few days as it seems so completely incredulous- but having just taken delivery of the 319 City-Cross yesterday and spent an afternoon wading through the manual regarding the stereo- I'm prepared to believe anything!

So, expanding upon your answer, would it be accurate to say that an uncoded CD-headunit, might work powered-up on a bench, but as soon as the car 'sees it'- there will be a problem..?

Yes; I'm sure this topic has been covered extensively; my apologies for going over old ground.

Thanks for your help

 

[Panda IIs]

Wow-

thanks for that 'Hillhopper...

I've had to process that for a few days as it seems so completely incredulous- but having just taken delivery of the 319 City-Cross yesterday and spent an afternoon wading through the manual regarding the stereo- I'm prepared to believe anything!

So, expanding upon your answer, would it be accurate to say that an uncoded CD-headunit, might work powered-up on a bench, but as soon as the car 'sees it'- there will be a problem..?

Yes; I'm sure this topic has been covered extensively; my apologies for going over old ground.

Thanks for your help

I'm not sure it's that remarkable most "newer" cars require parts to be coded to the body computer as a theft deterrent, I've a '53 plate E Class Merc that required the auto gear selector to be matched to the car (by requesting a code from MB) before it would be recognised and would drive.

For Pandas here's the radio interface for the head unit; it sits on the centre console - this is with the gloove box removed. I am sure the 2nd hand head unit will power up but until the BCM or ECU has been programmed to recognise it that's as far as you can get (my understanding at least). It can be overcome but you need to "speak" with the BCM/ECU and introduce the new unit via the CanBus system.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

I'm not sure it's that remarkable most "newer" cars require parts to be coded to the body computer as a theft deterrent, I've a '53 plate E Class Merc that required the auto gear selector to be matched to the car (by requesting a code from MB) before it would be recognised and would drive.

For Pandas here's the radio interface for the head unit; it sits on the centre console - this is with the gloove box removed. I am sure the 2nd hand head unit will power up but until the BCM or ECU has been programmed to recognise it that's as far as you can get (my understanding at least). It can be overcome but you need to "speak" with the BCM/ECU and introduce the new unit via the CanBus system.

View attachment 446942

Correct - the unit will power up (on the bench or in the car), but ask for a code (which doesn’t exist). I think every subsequent powering-up adds a delay, eventually reaching a point where it won’t power at all.

 

[dante giacosa]

Thanks for your help, team, and for going into detail with that, 'IIs; sorry to waste your time with old questions.

I'm beginning to see why this car might have sat unsold for a while (massive road-tax-penalty aside)

I would never have though a radio could bother me so much about a car!
The leopard must change his spots then, to whatever colour makes it possible to play any music whatsoever in the car.

Keep-on-Panda'ing! (in silence)

 

[Panda IIs]

Thanks for your help, team, and for going into detail with that, 'IIs; sorry to waste your time with old questions.

I'm beginning to see why this car might have sat unsold for a while (massive road-tax-penalty aside)

I would never have though a radio could bother me so much about a car!
The leopard must change his spots then, to whatever colour makes it possible to play any music whatsoever in the car.

Keep-on-Panda'ing! (in silence)

Just thinking laterally now; maybe the head unit provided has a plug-in for a CD changer or you can get external CD drive to play through AUX input? If you pull the head unit out and get the part/serial number I'm sure some research will give you an answer(??)

 

[dante giacosa]

Thanks, IIs; I suppose it's possible.

I have read of lots of other folk utilising an AUX input connection on headhunts of this kind.

The alternative appears to have to be to completely change my phone to android JUST to be able to play all my downloaded music. Only of course; I don't have any downloaded music as I don't ever play 'choons off my phone. Never wear headphones when I'm out (the world is my stereo) but I do listen to stuff in the car.

Did the 319 have a CD auto changer option..?

 

[Panda IIs]

Thanks, IIs; I suppose it's possible.

I have read of lots of other folk utilising an AUX input connection on headhunts of this kind.

The alternative appears to have to be to completely change my phone to android JUST to be able to play all my downloaded music. Only of course; I don't have any downloaded music as I don't ever play 'choons off my phone. Never wear headphones when I'm out (the world is my stereo) but I do listen to stuff in the car.

Did the 319 have a CD auto changer option..?

I doubt there was a FIAT option for a changer in the Panda - I was just thinking that there maybe a socket in the radio/head unit. When my Blue and Me module broke I acquired the OEM entertainment parts from eBay;

This plugs into the back of the head unit I have in a '63 plate 4x4. and gives AUX jack and USB functions but no bluetooth which shouldn't trouble you.

So my point is that there may be unused inputs in the back of your specific head unit that may provide a work around (even if you have to rip CDs to a USB drive??

 

[dante giacosa]

I doubt there was a FIAT option for a changer in the Panda - I was just thinking that there maybe a socket in the radio/head unit. When my Blue and Me module broke I acquired the OEM entertainment parts from eBay;

View attachment 446987

This plugs into the back of the head unit I have in a '63 plate 4x4. and gives AUX jack and USB functions but no bluetooth which shouldn't trouble you.

So my point is that there may be unused inputs in the back of your specific head unit that may provide a work around (even if you have to rip CDs to a USB drive??

Thanks for your help, IIs; I really appreciate it; I shall look into it.
Next stop, is to whip the headhunt out to see the rear.
Certainly the rear-views of the unit on eBay show potentially unused parts of DIN connector C.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Thanks for your help, IIs; I really appreciate it; I shall look into it.
Next stop, is to whip the headhunt out to see the rear.
Certainly the rear-views of the unit on eBay show potentially unused parts of DIN connector C.

Actually, better than that, there's a diagram on top of the factory head unit that shows the pin connections, although they can be hard to read as very small print. I think this might help... https://www.fiatforum.com/threads/audio-wiring-diagram.488604/#post-4606356