XK8 CD changer ????

[Big Giant Head]

Bought a '98 XK8 recently with only 12k on the clock. A peach. Pristine doesn't start to describe it.
In the boot where the CD changer ought to be there is some kind of Alpine Nav system which is not connected
to anything. Does anyone have any advice about how to go about having a CD changer put (back) in it's place ?

Total ignorance on this subject for me so looking for all and any help or advice.
Is it a ten quid or five grand job to refit the thing ?
I have no use for a nav system but would enjoy a CD changer and I understand that all XK's
came with a changer in the boot as standard (am I right on this) ?
Should I talk to Jaguar, Halfords or the local car Hi-Fi place ?

All and any advice much appreciated.

Tony

[Jaguarnut]

Usually the remote CD changer is connected to the head unit (the one fitted in your fascia)via some sort of multicore cable. In my XJ6, this is a 6 pin DIN plug, circular in shape. The plug is the same at both ends. Normally this should be plugged in to the appropriate socket on the head unit and remote changer. There is also a seperate power lead for the changer unit. I would think that if you have the factory head unit designed to work with a CD changer then it is a simple matter of mounting the changer and plugging everything in, providing you use the factory spec changer (Don't forget to check that everything is connected at the head unit!). However the important thing is the method the two sets use to communicate with each other. Clearly this must be the same or it will not work. Using the correct factory spec products should ensure that this is the case. As differing manufacturers sets can use the same language (protocol), it is possible to mix and match. It is for this you need the advice of a specialist and I would reccomend finding a decent ICE (in-car entertainment) specialist. They should know all about this and what changers will work with which head units. Halfords generally do not have the technical knowledge and Jaguar dealers will only try to sell their (expensive?) products. An independant Jaguar specialist is perhaps a second choice. Hope this helps!

[a8hex]

I remember seeing a discussion on www.jag-lovers.org talking about fitting autochangers in XJ6s. The ones I've seen in XK8s look like the one in my XJ6 (but then it also looks just like the one in the misses MB).

Anyway I'm sure I remember someone posting something about which unit it is that Jag use and which version you need to get.

Sorry can't be anymore help, I didn't read it in detail as it didn't effect me.

If it is the same unit in an XK8 then there is one of eBay (27000209662) you could try asking the seller, they're a Jag specialist.


Cheers
Ken

[XK8Mike Florida]

Tony: I thought all XK8s were fitted with CD changers as well. They were not.I found one on e-bay for $200.00 US.Some have sold for more, some for less.Beats Jaguar price of $700+.I would try to find one specific for your car to make sure the controls from the radio work.XJs & XK8s whithin a couple of years (97,98,& 99)I think are compatable.There is a pigtail taped to the wiring harness behind the carpet side where the nav is set up and it is already connected to the reciever/radio.It makes it a plug in proposition to the CD changer. The typical set up is that it mounts to the bottom of the nav unit bracket and if the carpet is not cut out just take a razor knife and cut enough carpet for the face of the changer to stick out.It took me about 30 minutes to complete the hook-up and it works fine. Hope this helps. Mike

PS: Your model years run earlier than ours so might be 96-98