Replacement head unit?

Flatulentoldgoat

Just wondering how simple it is to replace a head unit. My current one has a duff / dim LCD and is only a Bluetooth/CD/Analogue radio one. Saw a few nice ones online with DAB, Satnav etc my only concern is the wiring loom and binding my steering controls to it (change source, answer phone etc)

Any guidance please?

AdrianC

Most head units can be simply replaced with a standard single-DIN format one, some bigger ones with a double-DIN.

You will probably need a car-specific facia adaptor, to tidy the edges up and make it look more "factory".

You will almost certainly need some kind of wiring adaptor - there's two basic plug formats... There's the old pair of DIN connectors...

one does power, the other does four speaker channels.

Then there's the newer mini-ISO

which adds in some CanBUS stuff, including some remote control.

But you will almost certainly need a car-specific adaptor to get the remote working fully. DAB is also likely to need a different aerial - and FM aerials have two different plug types, DIN or ISO, but converters either way cost buttons.

Once you've got all the bits necessary, the actual fitting is usually fairly straightforward. You'll need a removal tool to get the old one out, then it's just putting the "cage" into place for the new one, plugging everything in, and pushing it home. If there's a whole stack of wiring adaptor guff behind there, it can get a bit tight, but it'll usually go.

Flatulentoldgoat

Here's my current unit if it helps?

AdrianC

That RH one may well be Mini-ISO, the rest all looks a bit vehicle-specific. Could be some odd FM aerial connector on the left. What car is it?

foxy-stoat

Looks Toyotaish, but as Adrian has said there will be a patch/adapter lead available.

MinuteNoodles

Flatulentoldgoat said:

Just wondering how simple it is to replace a head unit. My current one has a duff / dim LCD and is only a Bluetooth/CD/Analogue radio one. Saw a few nice ones online with DAB, Satnav etc my only concern is the wiring loom and binding my steering controls to it (change source, answer phone etc)

Any guidance please?

Depends entirely on the car. One that uses a stock DIN/Double DIN sized head unit will be easier than one that doesn't as you'll have to get a fascia adapter to go in the hole to allow you to use a standard DIN/Double DIN head unit. On those cars you usually have to take off the plastic dash surrounding that area both to take the old radio out (as it'll be larger than the hole), and fit the fascia adapter kit.

Wiring is easy, if it's not ISO standard you just get a harness adapter. For the steering wheel controls the established brands (Kenwood, Pioneer etc) do adapters for most of their range.

Flatulentoldgoat

It's a Nissan Note, sorry to be a bit simple can anyone link to what I might need please?

chrisw

There is a big section on this within the Nissan Note owners forum. That should tell you all you need to know.

https://www.noteownersclub.co.uk/forums/in-car-entertainment.20/