There are several issues when installing car radios. Here I will be writing about dashboard mounting issues. Yes, they won’t stop your car radio from playing. However, they are important because not handling them the way you should can mess up your car’s dashboard – altering your car’s interior integrated look negatively.

The majority of cars have a standard size radio and radio aperture (the opening in the dash where you mount the radio). This is known as (DIN) and is the standard size of radio apertures. This makes the installation of new radios a lot easier.

However, many newer cars have radios that are integrated into the dash meaning that when the radio is removed you will actually remove part of what looks like the dash, or at least the shape of the dash will leave a non standard radio aperture.

So in order for you to install a standard size radio (DIN) you will need to fit a fascia adaptor that will reduce the hole to (DIN) size, reproduce the original look and, at the same time, accommodate your new radio.

What if you choose not to use a fascia adaptor?

The hole created by the part of the “dash” that went off with your old radio will leave an unsightly space in your car’s dashboard. And why would anyone do such a thing? If you could afford to change your radio, buying a fascia adaptor to round up a good thing is certainly not too much.

Slide the metal mounting sleeve (or cage) off your new radio and push this into the radio aperture in your dash until the small outer lip on the sleeve meets with the edge of the radio aperture. To make the cage fit into the radio aperture more easily, bend the top and bottom until they meet in the middle.

Some radios' sleeves have been assigned a top and bottom and require installing the correct way up. If you have a radio aperture that is not the standard (DIN) size rectangular shape you will need a fascia adaptor to reduce the aperture size, so your new radio will fit.

Now, bend the tabs on the installed cage sleeve, using a small screwdriver or right-angled pick-tool, outwards from the cage to hold it securely in position.

Pull the car’s radio wiring harness out of the radio aperture. Now, connect the lead that came with your new radio to this and also push the aerial lead into the radio's aerial socket on the rear of your radio. If your car’s wiring harness connection is a different shape to that supplied with your new radio, you will need a harness adaptor.

To finish the installation, slide the radio into the sleeve but don't push it all the way in. Turn your radio on to ensure it is working well. Save a radio station into button number one by depressing the button for five seconds. Now, turn your radio off and remove your keys from the ignition. Insert your keys back into your ignition and switch your radio back. This is to ensure it has retained the memorized radio station.

To finish off, clip on the radio trim to give it a neat finish, and then finally, push it in fully until you hear it lock into position with the cage.

Is your CD changer not playing discs? Does it skip while playing? This should help solve the problem.

If you are using a CD changer and CD changer interface adapter package, please ensure that you have followed the adapter installation instructions (included with your delivery) to the letter. Also check the discs you are playing to ensure they are not the problem. Now, read through and do the following checks.

1) Ensure that your keys are completely removed from your ignition when installing the adapter. This is a common mistake and the result is that your CD changer will not initialize (link-up) with your radio. Basically, this means that the 2 units are not talking to each other.

2) Check the connections where the adapter connects to the radio or pre-installed CD lead (where fitted as standard) and the CD Changer. Also check that the pins in the connectors have not been bent or pushed out when the connectors were pushed together. This is a common fault

With the connector actually connected to the interface adapter box, inspect these pins from the rear of the connector very closely, as they could become dislodged when you push the radio into position, especially if it is a tight fit. Once inspected, actually place the radio on your passenger seat or hold it without pushing it back into the radio aperture and then test for correct operation. If it works, push it back into position and test again, if the fault returns the connectors and their connections are the problem.

3) Try disconnecting the CD adapter from the CD changer and then disconnect the CD adapter from the radio or pre-installed CD lead. Leave disconnected for 15 minutes. Then, with your keys removed from the ignition try connecting the adapter to the CD changer before connecting the adapter to the radio or pre-installed lead (dependent upon your car’s set-up). Now, check to see if the problem has been resolved.

Ensure once more that you have followed the CD adapter instructions in the exact order in which they are displayed when installing.

4) Check if your adapter has any extra fly-leads or wires attached (such as an earth, 12V ignition or 12V permanent live) that need to be connected to the cars wiring system or chassis. If it has, make sure they are connected correctly and securely.

5) Ensure that the earth connection is made to the body (chassis) of the car securely and that the surface of contact is a good, clean solid earth. If there is any paint on the earth pick-up point, clean the area with abrasive paper (sand paper, etc.). This will ensure that it is in contact with the adapter earth ring terminal.

6) If you are using an Alpine CHM-A634 CD Changer in conjunction with a KCA-130B (Ai-NET to M-Bus convertor) ensure the small switch found next to the “Eject” button has been set to position No. 2. The CD changer leads must be disconnected when moving this switch. Please consult your manual for more details.

7) If you are using a Kenwood CD Changer ensure that the small switch, found next to the “Eject” button on some models, has been set to the correct position for the Kenwood radio model you have connected it to.

In simple terms, CD & MP3 changer interfaces enable you to connect an aftermarket CD or MP3 changer such as an Alpine CHM-S630 or Sony CDX-T69 to a factory-fitted radio.

Please Note: Most CD changer interfaces and MP3 changer interfaces sold online are only compatible with aftermarket CD changers or aftermarket MP3 changers. They are not compatible with factory-fitted, car dealership supplied CD changers, as the software used is completely different to that used in aftermarket CD changers. This then means, that you can only connect your factory-fitted, dealer supplied CD changer to the factory radio it was designed to work with.

Interfaces?

CD Changer interfaces are small electronic control units or converter leads (dependent upon vehicle and radio) and their average sizes are, for the box type, 80mm x 35mm x 55mm and for the lead type approx 160mm to 400mm in length that enable your factory-fitted radio to communicate and operate an aftermarket CD changer, such as an Alpine, Kenwood or Sony, etc.

This option gives you a superior alternative to a dealer CD changer and enables you to keep the integrated look and functionality your factory radio offers, while at the same time avoiding high prices charged by dealer. Aftermarket CD changers are generally superior in quality to dealer CD changers offering faster load speeds, higher quality sound playback and more reliability.

Are they Universal?

CD Changer Interfaces are vehicle and CD changer brand specific. They are not universal. So, in other words, the interface for a Ford 5000 radio using an alpine CD changer will not work with a Ford 5000 radio using a Sony CD changer.

And an Audi interface made for a Concert radio using an Alpine CD changer will not work with a BMW Business radio using an Alpine CD changer. You must match the radio and changer brand with the correct interface.