Early 996 C2 Car Audio Problems

[milfordkong]

Hi all - I have an early (98) 996 C2 and I recently switched out the factory tape deck for an aftermarket sony unit - I purchased this adaptor for a simple switch so that I had the option to switch back to the factory unit in the future if required.

http://www.design911.co.uk/fu/prod133701/Harness-F...

Now i'm trying to install the Sony unit and whilst it all powers up ok and remembers presets etc there is no sound at all coming through the speakers - I don't think I have an amplifier as I can find no evidence of such under the bonnet - The sony unit is supposed to be sending it's audio signal through the RCA out sockets on the unit, and from what I can tell everything is matched up accordingly with regards to the adaptor.

Has anyone encountered anything like this before? Any tips for coming up with a fix - I'd really prefer not to chop up the loom if possible.

[thegoose]

If you have speakers in your doors you have the optional sound pack so your new unit won't be plug & play, as the outputs are not straight to speakers, they are to the under bonnet amp.

[milfordkong]

Thanks the goose, there are no speakers in the doors. Just atop the dash.

[thegoose]

OK, I just clicked the link and that's for a 10 speaker system, which it sounds like your car doesn't have.

A photo of the back of your old and new units and the car's connectors might help.

[milfordkong]

Good call on the 10 speaker system - However the plugs seem to match up accordingly which is strange. Will get some pics and post them up, thanks for your help.

[milfordkong]

Would the fact that it's not the 10 speaker system suggest that it does have an amplifier or that it doesn't? There was definitely a CD changer at some point but that is no longer in place.

[milfordkong]

Please forget this and I apologise for taking up anyone's time - I was just being a colossal idiot, there was no need for an adapter at all, the OEM tape deck was an iso unit so the plugs literally came out of that and into the new unit - I had over complicated matters for myself by using Google first and avoiding any practical common sense rather than just taking the unit out first and using my eyes. What a tool.

All working now anyway!

[thegoose]

Don't worry, it's been useful for me - I have Sound Pack and haven't bothered updating the stereo as it looked complicated, you've made me realise I can buy that lead for a fiver and fit anything I want. Of course, if you're feeling particularly benevolent and no longer need yours I could PM you my address

[milfordkong]

I am feeling overwhelmingly benevolent as I now have bluetooth audio in the 996 ... PM me your address over and i'll happily send on the adapter.

[youngsyr]

milfordkong said:

I am feeling overwhelmingly benevolent as I now have bluetooth audio in the 996 ... PM me your address over and i'll happily send on the adapter.

Have you considered upgrading the dash speakers and fitting a powered sub? The difference in sound is night and day and you can do it all for about £150.

Plenty of decent right ups on line about how to do the dash speaker upgrade, here's one for the Boxster, but it's identical for the 996.

http://986forum.com/forums/diy-project-guides/3343...

I use this as my powered sub, can put it anywhere you like, but I chose against the "firewall" at the foot of the passenger footwell. It should be plug and play for the sub signal with your new headunit, you then just need power and earth.

https://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product_m-pioneer...

[milfordkong]

youngsyr said:

Have you considered upgrading the dash speakers and fitting a powered sub? The difference in sound is night and day and you can do it all for about £150.

Plenty of decent right ups on line about how to do the dash speaker upgrade, here's one for the Boxster, but it's identical for the 996.

http://986forum.com/forums/diy-project-guides/3343...

I use this as my powered sub, can put it anywhere you like, but I chose against the "firewall" at the foot of the passenger footwell. It should be plug and play for the sub signal with your new headunit, you then just need power and earth.

https://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product_m-pioneer...

Thanks youngsyr ... It does look really easy and worthwhile ... if I'm honest i'm not a massive audiophile though so I may be happy with it as is - I listen to a lot of talky podcasts in the car which don't really need better quality sound than the standard setup already provides.

[thegoose]

Whilst we're on the subject, does anyone know of an online guide for fitting a double DIN unit?

As I should soon (thanks!) be able to change head units but still run the sound through the factory Sound Pack I'm considering trying a cheap all singing and dancing double DIN unit (from under £80, plus maybe £20 for the maps on a memory card). The wiring should be plug and play (apart from adding a GPS antenna and a microphone), it's more the moving of the climate control that I'm interested in.

[legzr1]

https://cai-store.com/pages/install-how-to-article...

Looks a lot simpler for very early 996s without MOST (optic) connections.


Detail:

https://cai-store.com/pages/911-boxster-double-din...

[youngsyr]

thegoose said:

Whilst we're on the subject, does anyone know of an online guide for fitting a double DIN unit?

As I should soon (thanks!) be able to change head units but still run the sound through the factory Sound Pack I'm considering trying a cheap all singing and dancing double DIN unit (from under £80, plus maybe £20 for the maps on a memory card). The wiring should be plug and play (apart from adding a GPS antenna and a microphone), it's more the moving of the climate control that I'm interested in.

It's pretty straight forward, I used the following kit as the Bezel matches the interior perfectly.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-911-996-Double-D...

[thegoose]

Thank you both, that's really helpful.