156 facelift head unit swap...simple or not?

[Paul S4]

I have a standard Alfa Headunit in my 2005 156JTDM, which works with the steering wheel controls.
Is it a direct swap to change it over to my Kenwood KDC-3047A CD/MP3/receiver head unit?
I am not too concerned about the steering wheel controls, but would the stereo unit work OK just as a 'normal' stereo. I shall of course get the facia adaptor so it looks correct.
I want to see what improvement, there is with a different HU, before going the 'whole hog' and getting all the interface parts/patch leads etc...( advice about this has been gleaned from this very forum on that !)

I have contacted my local auto electrician but he is not familiar with the car(!), so any advice is most welcome.
Just to add, I am not brilliant ( at all ) with auto electrics, just aware of the basics !

Thanks in advance.

[joema]

Just pull it out, plug in the new one. All fairly simple once you look.

You'll need to remove the existing cage though and replace with the new one.

I had to swap over the red and yellow. Never got It to work off the ignition though. There is a fix on alfaowner.

[Paul S4]

Thanks for that. I have read the 'guide' on AOC and so will monitor the battery drain. I have done as you say and it seems to work fine. I may in time get the adaptors etc for the wheel buttons, but I am awaiting my new JBL speakers which should enhance the sound as well ! http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/imgs/6.gif