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.

CD changer interfaces install at the rear of your existing factory fitted radio or to the pre-installed CD lead if one is fitted (depending upon radio and/or car type). If installation is to the rear of your radio, run the CD BUS lead from the interface to the mounting location of your changer.

Some Factory installed radios will accept aftermarket CD changers without the need for an interface and in such a scenario the CD changer will have the same software as that of a dealer supplied CD changer. For example radios that are compatible with the VDO 026 CD changer and Visteon 2080 CD changer don’t need interfaces.

Important: When installing interfaces ensure your keys are completely removed from your ignition.

Factory Fitted/Dealer CD Changers – An important issue

Factory-fitted/dealer CD changers are CD changers that are fitted at the factory or supplied by car dealers (i.e. Audi, BMW, Volvo, etc) and generally carry part numbers such as 786511203 as opposed to part numbers such as CHM-S630 that aftermarket CD changers have. Their overall styling is also a lot more basic than aftermarket CD changers.

These CD changers will only work with the radios that they were manufactured for and will not be compatible with CD changer interfaces that car audio shops supply. This is simply because the software used in the CD changers is very different to that used in aftermarket CD changers.

We often get enquiries from customers who have removed these from their car before selling (so they can re-use them in their next car)or bought one going cheap on Ebay, etc. only to find out that they can’t use them unless they will be using them with the factory radio that they were made for.

My car doesn’t have an ISO connector as standard, is this going to be a problem?

Your new car radio will not always connect directly to your car’s standard wiring harness connector. You will need to use a harness adaptor in-between your car’s wiring and your new radio's female ISO connector.

The harness adaptor will simply convert your car’s wiring into an ISO male that will then enable you to seamlessly connect this by push-fit into the ISO female found on your new car radio's harness. The wiring harnesses will provide the power and the speaker connections to connect to your new radio.

Why will my aerial lead not connect to my new radio?

You may require an aerial adaptor, as some cars such as Vauxhall models use a female socket instead of the conventional male plug. The adaptor simply pushes into your car’s female socket and the result is a male plug that fits your new radio. One is included with all new radios.

Some others models need an aerial adaptor because they use an amplified aerial. Basically, the radio feeds the aerial amplifier that is built into the base of the aerial via this adaptor. If you fail to use this adaptor, a poor radio reception could result.

My car has a Steering Wheel Remote Control, can I still use this?

If your car has a factory-fitted steering wheel mounted remote control and you want to use this to control your new radio you will need to fit a steering remote adaptor to keep that capability.

Steering remote adaptors are available to work with many car makes and models in conjunction with Alpine, JVC, Kenwood, Panasonic and Sony radios that have the ability to connect to a stalk control lead. You will have to check with each specific model for compatibility.

ISO is the international standard connection used by all radio manufacturers and fitted in all new radio harnesses (female ISO). When installing a radio these need to be connected (by push-fit) into an ISO male.

Some cars have ISO male connectors fitted to their radio harnesses as standard and this will enable you to install your radio in minutes without any problems. If you don't have an ISO connection as standard this isn't a problem. All you will simply need is a harness adaptor (unique to your car model) to convert your car’s standard radio harness to fit together with the ISO on your new radio.

If the male connector on the car fits the female connector on the radio, they will simply click together. There is an exception to this rule, as some cars, mainly Vauxhall and VW models require a small alteration to their power input configuration.

If you were to connect the ISO plugs, the radio would work OK, but once you turn off the ignition and remove your keys the radio would lose its memory settings (stored radio stations would be lost and any inserted CD's would be ejected). This is due to the power wires (yellow: permanent live and red: ignition live) being connected the wrong way around, for these particular car models.

Many radio models now come with harness adaptors that use bullet connectors in line with the harnesses power wires. You can simply disconnect the bullets, switch the yellow and red wires and reconnect.

Or, on some older cars, if the radio is connected as permanent live (can be turned on without the key in the ignition). In such cases, you may have to connect the yellow and red wires on the radio lead together. It is possible, where the manufacturer’s radio wiring allows it (using bullet connectors that are inline on the radio harness), to line up with the permanent wire on the car’s harness. This means that when the two ISO connections are pushed together the power is transferred to the correct wire positions.