Converting head unit to ISO early Chim
Discussion
Hi all, I've been continuing the long process of trying to bring my '93 Chim up to a reasonable standard, and I never thought I'd say it but I've finally reached that point..
I can't stand having that big 'ole in the dash any more. I need to put a head unit in it. It'll probably never get turned on. I don't even know if the (aftermarket) speakers are wired in. Quality is absolutely not going to be a factor. Just the cheapest thing I can find with an aux/usb input, to fill the dash and being optimistic to maybe plug my tunes into (though I doubt they'll sound too smart through 2 rattly door speakers) and charge the phone up (if usb).
So the question- does anyone definitively know what the connector type is for the early cars, or the adaptor required to convert them to ISO? (Plug in and play would be preferred to cutting and crimping). I've been trawling the old threads and so far concluded that it's a Rover-Vauxhall-Ford-LR type connection, which is real useful. Anyone got the answer for sure or can point me in the direction of the correct adaptor?
Ta, Mike
I can't stand having that big 'ole in the dash any more. I need to put a head unit in it. It'll probably never get turned on. I don't even know if the (aftermarket) speakers are wired in. Quality is absolutely not going to be a factor. Just the cheapest thing I can find with an aux/usb input, to fill the dash and being optimistic to maybe plug my tunes into (though I doubt they'll sound too smart through 2 rattly door speakers) and charge the phone up (if usb).
So the question- does anyone definitively know what the connector type is for the early cars, or the adaptor required to convert them to ISO? (Plug in and play would be preferred to cutting and crimping). I've been trawling the old threads and so far concluded that it's a Rover-Vauxhall-Ford-LR type connection, which is real useful. Anyone got the answer for sure or can point me in the direction of the correct adaptor?
Ta, Mike
I had a similar thought, but in the end purchased an ISO connector with tails on, and cut the old plugs out completely. It was about £5 from memory. Fairly sure I soldered the new ISO plug wires to the old wires rather than using a crimp connectors.
Radio reception is still poor, but I mainly used my phone or USB memory stick for a music source.
I put a relatively cheap Pioneer MVH180 head unit in that has USB but no bluetooth. Never thought I would use the bluetooth for calls and as I nearly always connected the USB port for charging my phone in the car was happy with it being USB only. It worked fine with my previous phone running Android OS V6, plugged in to the USB port for both charging and music. The main advantage I found was having the SatNav audio from the phone played out via the stereo so I could turn the volume up to hear it above the exhaust noise. However my new phone (Google Pixel) running Android V7 only charges. The head unit cannot get any music from the phone and it reports an error when it is plugged in. Turns out to be common fault with no fix as of yet. I have reverted to using a USB memory stick for music and charging my phone from the 12v socket in the door.
Radio reception is still poor, but I mainly used my phone or USB memory stick for a music source.
I put a relatively cheap Pioneer MVH180 head unit in that has USB but no bluetooth. Never thought I would use the bluetooth for calls and as I nearly always connected the USB port for charging my phone in the car was happy with it being USB only. It worked fine with my previous phone running Android OS V6, plugged in to the USB port for both charging and music. The main advantage I found was having the SatNav audio from the phone played out via the stereo so I could turn the volume up to hear it above the exhaust noise. However my new phone (Google Pixel) running Android V7 only charges. The head unit cannot get any music from the phone and it reports an error when it is plugged in. Turns out to be common fault with no fix as of yet. I have reverted to using a USB memory stick for music and charging my phone from the 12v socket in the door.
Edited by Smokey Boyer on Monday 8th May 23:37
Smokey Boyer said:
I had a similar thought, but in the end purchased an ISO connector with tails on, and cut the old plugs out completely. It was about £5 from memory. Fairly sure I soldered the new ISO plug wires to the old wires rather than using a crimp connectors.
Radio reception is still poor, but I mainly used my phone or USB memory stick for a music source.
I put a relatively cheap Pioneer MVH180 head unit in that has USB but no bluetooth. Never thought I would use the bluetooth for calls and as I nearly always connected the USB port for charging my phone in the car was happy with it being USB only. It worked fine with my previous phone running Android OS V6, plugged in to the USB port for both charging and music. The main advantage I found was having the SatNav audio from the phone played out via the stereo so I could turn the volume up to hear it above the exhaust noise. However my new phone (Google Pixel) running Android V7 only charges. The head unit cannot get any music from the phone and it reports an error when it is plugged in. Turns out to be common fault with no fix as of yet. I have reverted to using a USB memory stick for music and charging my phone from the 12v socket in the door.
That sounds like pretty much what I'm after in terms of use. How much of a PITA was it working out which of the old leads related to which ISO tails? I'm not very radio-savvy and though I don't mind doing it if I can't get an adaptor I wouldn't know what wants to be going where Radio reception is still poor, but I mainly used my phone or USB memory stick for a music source.
I put a relatively cheap Pioneer MVH180 head unit in that has USB but no bluetooth. Never thought I would use the bluetooth for calls and as I nearly always connected the USB port for charging my phone in the car was happy with it being USB only. It worked fine with my previous phone running Android OS V6, plugged in to the USB port for both charging and music. The main advantage I found was having the SatNav audio from the phone played out via the stereo so I could turn the volume up to hear it above the exhaust noise. However my new phone (Google Pixel) running Android V7 only charges. The head unit cannot get any music from the phone and it reports an error when it is plugged in. Turns out to be common fault with no fix as of yet. I have reverted to using a USB memory stick for music and charging my phone from the 12v socket in the door.
Edited by Smokey Boyer on Monday 8th May 23:37
Hi,
I did this a few years ago, the stereo connector was a Rover item. If I recall, I bought the iso plugs and connectors from ebay and the Rover connector with just wiring leads. This allowed me to make up a connector lead that fitted between new stereo iso connectors and the TVR wiring loom plug. I did it this way because I was not sure if the TVR wiring loom plug was wired to suit an off the shelf item. Just one note, the Rover plug I bought did not initially fit, it had a different internal tab, I had to remove this so it fitted the wiring loom plug.
I did this a few years ago, the stereo connector was a Rover item. If I recall, I bought the iso plugs and connectors from ebay and the Rover connector with just wiring leads. This allowed me to make up a connector lead that fitted between new stereo iso connectors and the TVR wiring loom plug. I did it this way because I was not sure if the TVR wiring loom plug was wired to suit an off the shelf item. Just one note, the Rover plug I bought did not initially fit, it had a different internal tab, I had to remove this so it fitted the wiring loom plug.
I researched this last year to replace my factory-fit head unit.
Took the car to Halfords on a weekday evening and asked for the appropriate ISO adaptor.
As they weren't busy, the AV geek was keen to get in and have a look. After much mirth when he couldn't open the door, it was decreed that the best course was to chop out all the connectors and solder in a new ISO adaptor.
He offered a very reasonable fee but said I really should be able to do it myself (electrical and mechanical spaz). As I had the existing connections to go by, even I managed to do it right.
TL;DR - Take it to Halfords, they will sort it for a reasonable fee
Took the car to Halfords on a weekday evening and asked for the appropriate ISO adaptor.
As they weren't busy, the AV geek was keen to get in and have a look. After much mirth when he couldn't open the door, it was decreed that the best course was to chop out all the connectors and solder in a new ISO adaptor.
He offered a very reasonable fee but said I really should be able to do it myself (electrical and mechanical spaz). As I had the existing connections to go by, even I managed to do it right.
TL;DR - Take it to Halfords, they will sort it for a reasonable fee
I also soldered in an iso harness, took about 10 mins to identify the wires with a multimter. Speakers can easily be removed to identify/test the correct polarity.
My aerial needed an ignition 12 volt feed, obviously an amplified type but identified by a blue flying cable attached to the coax plug.
Reception is pretty good as it was not connected before.
The radio will have a wire for this purpose.
My aerial needed an ignition 12 volt feed, obviously an amplified type but identified by a blue flying cable attached to the coax plug.
Reception is pretty good as it was not connected before.
The radio will have a wire for this purpose.
I've done plenty of car stereo fannying about in my time, if you were going past mine at all at the weekend I'll have a butchers at it if you like mate. Two mildly-educated heads have got to be better than one 
I'm pretty sure I've got a few random ISO harnesses kicking around too which could be cribbed if needs be.
I need to get around to swapping the stereo in my own Chim as the current one has an automated flip panel that no longer works- I'm going to swap it out for my Alpine usb head unit that I had in my old ATR. So that might give me the kick I need to actually get on and do it.
I'm pretty sure I've got a few random ISO harnesses kicking around too which could be cribbed if needs be.
I need to get around to swapping the stereo in my own Chim as the current one has an automated flip panel that no longer works- I'm going to swap it out for my Alpine usb head unit that I had in my old ATR. So that might give me the kick I need to actually get on and do it.
Squirrelofwoe said:
I've done plenty of car stereo fannying about in my time, if you were going past mine at all at the weekend I'll have a butchers at it if you like mate. Two mildly-educated heads have got to be better than one
I'm pretty sure I've got a few random ISO harnesses kicking around too which could be cribbed if needs be.
I need to get around to swapping the stereo in my own Chim as the current one has an automated flip panel that no longer works- I'm going to swap it out for my Alpine usb head unit that I had in my old ATR. So that might give me the kick I need to actually get on and do it.
I wish I'd been mildly educated Dave, then at least I might know something! I'm pretty sure I've got a few random ISO harnesses kicking around too which could be cribbed if needs be.
I need to get around to swapping the stereo in my own Chim as the current one has an automated flip panel that no longer works- I'm going to swap it out for my Alpine usb head unit that I had in my old ATR. So that might give me the kick I need to actually get on and do it.
I should've known with the amount of Hondas you've owned that you've spent your share of time in Halfords car park kicking out mad choonz
I'll shoot you a message now and we'll get something sorted!
Thanks for the input and advice peoples
CanoeSniffer said:
I should've known with the amount of Hondas you've owned that you've spent your share of time in Halfords car park kicking out mad choonz
Don't jest, back when I first passed my test in the early 2000s Halfords actually released a complete ICE installation book (in collab with Haynes & Max Power no less!)- that was my bible for a while! 
I've still got a top notch 10" powered Vibe sub sat in my loft complete with all the installation cables... It's about 13 years old now but it sounds so damn good I just can't bring myself to get rid of it!
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