Trivial question re. 993 ICE wiring...

[welshchris]

.... I was 'gifted' a new Kenwood head unit and iPod adapter for Christmas

One problem though - There is no manual adjustment for the dimmer on the head unit display - only auto via a lead which has to be connected to the car wiring loom somewhere (facilitating auto-dimming when the car lights are switched on).

The unit is working perfectly all bar the dimmer, but I'm not sure that there is a cable in the 993 wiring harness that allows for this to be functional - Can't find one anywhere in the spaghetti behind the dash - Any 993 / ICE experts out there who could advise?

Thanks in advance.

Chris

[verysideways]

Well your foglight switches come on when you switch the headlmaps on, so why not tap into those feeds for your dimmer wire?

[welshchris]

Not a bad idea VS! - I'm reluctant to turn my wiring loom into something resembling melting licquorice though

The principal sounds good though - I'll have a word with our local audio lot I think - Always been reluctant to let them get their hands on my car for some reason

Chris

>> Edited by welshchris on Thursday 5th January 00:30

[phelix]

What sort of connector does the Kenwood unit have? If it's the standard ISO connector (meaning the Porsche's wiring plugged straight into the back of the unit like it did into the original Becker) then that should have been taken care of. See www.bluespot.co.uk/stock/iso.asp; when I replaced my radio with a blaupunkt it was plug and play and the blaupunkt "knows" when the lights are on or off.

[Welshchris]

ISO Connector? - I wish Phelix. The previous owner of the car had ripped it out, and the guy who installed the previous Kenwood head unit had to work around it. I suppose that there must be a cable there somewhere but I'm buggered if I can find it!

Chris

[phelix]

Sounds like fun! See if you can find a bundle of wires that contain (among others) the earth, constant power and switched power to the Kenwood. There should also be a lighting wire and possibly a speed signal in that bundle. I'll check the woring diagram to see if I can identify what the colour should be.

[jac-in-a-box]

phelix said:

What sort of connector does the Kenwood unit have? If it's the standard ISO connector (meaning the Porsche's wiring plugged straight into the back of the unit like it did into the original Becker) then that should have been taken care of. See www.bluespot.co.uk/stock/iso.asp; when I replaced my radio with a blaupunkt it was plug and play and the blaupunkt "knows" when the lights are on or off.

I may be wrong - but I'm certain that Blaupunkt and Becker use mini-ISO connectors which are completely different from the larger standard ISO connectors found (usually) on every other make of head unit.

As for the dimming lighting, you'll need to find the wiring for the instrument cluster (assuming the 993 has a dimmer fitted) - tap into this wire and that's it sorted. You really need a wiring diagram.

[Welshchris]

phelix said:

Sounds like fun! See if you can find a bundle of wires that contain (among others) the earth, constant power and switched power to the Kenwood. There should also be a lighting wire and possibly a speed signal in that bundle. I'll check the woring diagram to see if I can identify what the colour should be.

I have a bundle of about 8 wires that are wrapped in some sort of protective tape (which has a 'factory' look about it). Problem is that all these are being used. I need to know the colour of the cable in the car's wiring loom that connects to the orange/white dimmer cable from the HU

Ted - What chance a specific ICE forum on PH? - Just a thought!

Chris

[phelix]

jac-in-a-box said:

I may be wrong - but I'm certain that Blaupunkt and Becker use mini-ISO connectors which are completely different from the larger standard ISO connectors found (usually) on every other make of head unit.

The 993-era Becker (CDR-23 ?) and the Woodstock DAB 54 that I fitted both have the ISO connector as per the bluespot link I posted.



>> Edited by phelix on Thursday 5th January 12:02

[phelix]

The diagram for 97 cars shows it as a small gauge green wire with a blue stripe. For some reason it's not listed for the 95 and 96 cars.

[welshchris]

Checked with the old-timer at the local OPC - My car isn't fitted with such a wire. He says that solution is to take a feed direct from the light switch, or the ashtray light which is only illuminated when the lights are on. Nothing is ever easy with these cars is it?

Thanks for your efforts though Phelix.

Chris