2007r With Rds ... Addign A Cd Changer

[Guest SaraSeahorse]

how do I go about doing this

 

I have a 1997 P reg galaxy

 

will there be a cable already in place - if so How do I check / find it

 

also what product will be compatable

 

I did a search for a sony one but this model was not compatable

 

any advice appreciated

[Guest Boggler]

Cable is tucked up over the wheelarch, you'll find taking the bin out will help (4 screws inside bin, 1 on lug behind tool copmartment cover). The Visteon 6 CD autochanger fits directly onto the cable. I got a Visteon for

[Guest SaraSeahorse]

Please if anyone would like to help and impress a real car audio thickie with some good instructions - I know some of the things I ask may be really obvious but back to basics (I never assume anything as it can prove costly!!)

 

 

I have located what I think is the required cable in the rear offside compartment (where jack etc is) it is (don't know technical term) a bundle of cables (with different coloured insulation) covered in a fabric sheath. The plug at the end is rectangular with a two rows of six block / configuration. There is also a grommet (?) just bvehind the plug which looks the same size and shape as the hole in the bottom of the lidded compartment.

 

This is why I think I have found the right thing.

 

 

Question One - does this sound like the right cable

 

Question Two - if I buy and connect the appropriate cd changer to this cable will any additional cabling be required - e.g. will this cable provide both audio and power connection to changer?

 

Question Three does the cd changer have to be fixed in a certain way / orientation / screwed to the compartment? If so how? As I said I am a thickie when it comes to these things - I have only ever had radio cassettes in car before and have always had someone fix for me!

 

Question Four - will these cd changers play cds that you have copied on CD- R (one I own of course) just makes snese to me to use a copy and not put an original cd in the car just incase some git breaks in.

 

Question Five - last one I think I have read through old forum and this new one and various makes and suggestions of sources of CD changer have been made some dearer than others. One suggestion seemed to mention an adapter what is this??

 

It sounds simple, like buy and changer and plug in - is it that simple as I am worried to spend wadge of hard earned cash and then it go belly up!!! On the other hand get fed up with cassettes and radio.

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Oh Gordon Bennet! You really ought to have some idea of what you are doing before attempting anything electrical on a car; you can blow fuses or worse (eg cause a fire) if you do something really bad!

There are only a few companies who make car CD changers, other companies buy them and stick their names on them. Don't know who actually makes the one that Ford use. If your Head Unit (the bit in the dashboard) has a CD-controlling function then it is possible, but not certain, that the other end of the loom you have found is plugged in already (but it may not be! you may have to take it out to find out).

Yes, it sounds like you have found the other end in the back of the car. The CD changer mounts vertically and the magazine goes in from the top. It MUST be securely mounted to the car or else you wil get jumping on tracks and goodness knows what else damage could be caused. Oh incidentally I am almost sure that it will not play home-recorded CD-R's, only "bought" CD's.

The "adapter" thingy that you are referring to is, I think, a clever device that eanbles some CD changers to play on any car radio head unit by "tapping" into the aerial lead rather than requiring a separate signal "in" socket on the head unit.

Any more questions? WIll have a go at answering.

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Try this link:

http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/RadioTo995.htm

 

You need to make sure that your 2007 can control an autochanger as it seems that not all of them can (which is what I suspected).

 

Have you tried talking to any local car hifi specialist dealers yet?

Good luck

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Sara - if you look under "customising your car" you will find that V6 Galaxy is selling a 5000 unit with CD changer - this may be your solution! However if you follow my link to the Ford Scorpio site, things may not be that straightforward. It appears that connectors may need to be changed too. Your cheapest, quickest solution may just be to buy an in-dash radio/CD unit (if you don't want to play any tapes). There are many good units around for just over

[Guest SaraSeahorse]

thanks for the helpful advice

 

despite what some people may think I am not stupid and about to do anything reckless to my car - I have bags of commonsense hence coming on this forum (It made sense to me to ask Galaxy owners what they have done / would do)

 

- I just want to avoid a huge bill for a so called professional to do the job if I or someone in my family or a friend can do it easily!!

 

have checked the wiring and the headunit is definitely able to run a cd unit

 

now just looking to see what is thwe most cost effective solution, e.g. a visteon or whether I can get another brand with an adapter cheaper that will work as well

 

 

 

Ivor thanks for the offer of help - used to live in that part of the world (was southampton then bishops waltham for ten years) but am now oop north in northamptonshire

 

(also now looking for car window tint quiotes if anyone knows anyone in northants or near ish that does this!)

[Dally]

SaraSeahorse,

 

This may help!

I have just fitted a sony changer to my Ford 6000 standard unit. Works a dream.

 

The reason I chose to fit a sony was that the visteon does not gaurantee CD-R playback though it is not completely ruled out. In fact on a friends standard Ford changer, some brands of my CD-rs would play and some wouldn't - so you need to understand this.

 

For your information, the CDX T69 will definitely play CD-Rs. So will the CDX 848X but this is a 10 disc changer and will not fit in the compartment plus the standard ford units can only control 6 disc changers. So if you want a Sony - go for the T69.

 

The below site is selling this for

[Guest SaraSeahorse]

how does one feed a cable from front of car through to rear compartment - where does it go? curious!

 

I would prefer to be able to play cd-r so the sony option looks like an idea

 

where does the interface go at the head unit or changer end?

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Interface box appears to go behind the head unit in the dash, judging by other comments. If you already have a cable just try following it and adding the Sony lead alongside it. This could be done by releasing the carpet at the bottom of the door openings, for instance. Try using a piece of net-curtain hanging wire to aid threading cables - it works a treat, especially when used with a "loop" eyelet in the end you push, with the cable you are trying to feed tied to this loop.

(again, I'll say that iy you don't want to listen to cassettes, it may be easier and cheaper to just replace your current 2007 with a new unit in the dash).

Keep us updated on what you do!

[CasaPaulo]

the Visteon unit mated to the 2007 is OE and does play CDR. If'n you swap head units or whatever you then have fun bypassing the separate inbuilt amp, loads more aggro.

The Visteon (an ex Ford Co) unit is

[Dally]

1) I ran the cables down the plastic trims without removing even one screw! Just use a blunt instrument to push them between the plastic trim and the carpet. This can be a tight fit in some places but there is room.

2) The interface box has to go at the head unit end as the cables male and female plugs are fitted as such. It is a shame that a female to female ford connector is not available as this would allow you to fit the interface at the changer end.

3) Yes, as I stated, the Visteon may be fine - but do check with a variety of CD-R brands.

4) If you do decide to change the 2007, you will need to buy some adaptor cables that will enable you to by-pass the amp - this will then enable standard ISO fittings to work with the speakers. Watch out because the cables can be a bit short!

[CasaPaulo]

RE. The aerial amp.

 

When I was pondering fitting a 'much better' Sony unit(s) as advised by suppliers on the net but later warned against by a local pro installer shop, instead of the OE Visteon 'Seat' & 'Ford' 2007 HU I discovered the various hurdles for me that must be overcome

a by-passing the Amp

b remote control compatibility

c. The Auto Volume Control issue

d. The handbook carries a warning re not connecting the AVC wire and potential Auto box (as is mine) problems

e. Powering the aerial. I have read E's re poor FM reception on this forum, after radio replacement. Read of the usual solution elsewhere too

f. And I bought a too big 10 disc CD changer.

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Yes there must be, although it may involve having to find the aerial amp and cut/re-solder wires to it. I used to have a Rover 820 hatch that had the rear window heating elements as the aerial. It was fed through a separate source and switched using the "usual" head unit power antenna lead. I had no problem in upgrading the head unit to a rather nice (but non-Dolby) Blaupunkt radio-cassette.