Changing head unit Mk1

[Petrol Only]

How do i get the headunit out? its prehistoric and want to put a new one in. Will i need to get some of those ISO lead things? Is there a guide anywhere?

Cheers.

[gazchap]

You need to take off the centre console trim first. There are five screws in total I think, one on each side of the trim in front of the gearstick, one underneath the ashtray (just pull it out to get at it) and two in the storage cubby. Lift it carefully out over the petrol cap release lever.

Then you need to take off the trim that surrounds the stereo. There's one or two screws at the bottom of it, and then two screws at the top - the top screws are behind the vents so you'll need to pull these out first. Do this very, very carefully and try and do it evenly - you may have better luck with pliers used correctly.

Once those screws are out, you can just pull that trim off and then you should be able to unscrew the head unit etc. and disconnect it.

To put an aftermarket head unit in, you'll need an ISO wiring harness to connect between the car's wiring and the new stereo. If the new stereo will screw on to the brackets, you won't need a cage or anything for it which would be useful.

I'm not sure if the stock head unit in a Mk1 is double-DIN or not, but if it is you'll probably want to get a cubby box or something to put underneath your new head unit to fill the gap. If you look on eBay you can get nice little cubby boxes with a clock next to them (originally from E36 BMWs I think) and put one of those in there.

Re-fitting is the reverse of removal.

Just one note: Be very careful when removing the plastic trims - when I did it in my car, the plastic was incredibly brittle - I guess being 20 years old and subjected to heat and cold a lot. I had to buy a new stereo surround trim in the end because mine just shattered into a bajillion pieces when I tried to remove it.

//edit: If the head unit in it at the moment isn't a stock one, you may find it already has an ISO harness attached to it anyway.

Edited by gazchap on Thursday 1st July 10:17

[BonzoG]

If you're lucky, the previous owner was lazy and put an aftermarket unit in without using any screws, so it'll slide out nicely without any dismantling. If you're lucky....

[Rosso Rebel]

If needed i have an iso adapter for Mazda old to new standard iso thati could send you, i got it recently when i changed an old clarion head unit out only to find i did not need it.

PM if needed

[Petrol Only]

Rosso Rebel said:

If needed i have an iso adapter for Mazda old to new standard iso thati could send you, i got it recently when i changed an old clarion head unit out only to find i did not need it.

PM if needed

Thanks, ill give you a shout if i need it.