Removing Radio.

[colinbythesea]

At last I have some time and the weather is improving. Two things I intend to do are polish up my Boxster and install the Harmon Kardon iPod Plug and Play unit.

My first step is to take the radio out to insert a cable providing an aux input. I don't have the code so will not disconnect the battery. My hope is no plugs come out then it will have to be recoded. I know the code might be in the computer but the car is a good few months from a service and we are miles from any specialist or Porsche dealer here.

So accepting the risk of recoding the radio, Has anybody taken a radio out with the battery still connected. I understand it's alarmed up so will it be best to leave the ignition on to stop it triggering? Also is there anything else to look out for.

 

[Black80XSA]

Key turned in ignition - the wiring loom to the radio should be long enough to pull the full unit out of the front of its retaining cage.

Just add the extra cables and pop it back in (don't forget to turn radio off whilst removing/installing etc )

Where are you running the cables too - have you decided ?

 

[colinbythesea]

Thanks for the advice, I will probably make a blog with pictures about installing this to post to the forum.

At the moment the cable I bought from eBay should give me an Aux in through 2 Phono (RCA) sockets and its 5 cm long. I have switched the radio to Aux mode and don't have a CD changer as this cable steals the input. I might route a 3.5mm to Phono cable out to connect my iPod at the moment not sure how it will get out.

The Harmon Kardon unit has 3 parts, a small screen that mirrors the iPod's, a round control that mimics the click wheel and a box of electronics. You can send the signal to the radio through FM, either wired to the aerial or transmitted, or as a line out to an aux in. The FM option allows a CD changer to be kept. It comes with a bundle of cables of ample length for a proper sized car.

I am planning to take out the CD trays in the top part of the centre console and fabricate a panel to hold the screen. There is a bundle of space behind the CD trays so that's where the box of electronics will go. Cables will route out behind and up to the radio and control. The control will be mounted to the right of the radio where there is a blanked out hole in the dash. The final cable to the iPod will go under the centre console and emerge in the armrest locker, it charges as well as providing audio.

These cable routes look possible on inspection so far, however there are always surprises and the locker will have to come out to have a hole drilled for the dock connector which might prove harder than I think it is currently.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Colin,

This sounds like an excellent article for Porsche Post - are you a club member?
If so I'd be happy to see this in print [8D]

 

[colinbythesea]

Not a member yet Mark. I was going to insure the Boxster on a policy that included membership then got a better quote. I will be joining just saving the pennies to do so. Would like to join in the Beaulieu trip in June. Went there earlier in the year when it was quiet and had an enjoyable day as we live nearby in Southsea.

 

[Tool Pants]

There are people who can guess your radio code. The code is based on the radio serial number.

 

[rajagger]

This all sounds very interesting. Which head unit do you have Colin?

I presume you can control the track selection / play list from the new kit? Could you post a link to the Harmon Kardon unit please.

 

[Black80XSA]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Harman-Kardon-DP-1EU/dp/B000BKVSXC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1209987526&sr=8-2

 

[colinbythesea]

ORIGINAL: rajagger

This all sounds very interesting. Which head unit do you have Colin? 

I presume you can control the track selection / play list from the new kit?  Could you post a link to the Harmon Kardon unit please.

I have the CDR22 unit and want to keep the car as original as possible. I really don't like the blingy things you buy now. I don't think they suit the interior and they also say LOOK EXPENSIVE RADIO NICK ME.

I bought the Harmon Kardon unit new on eBay they seem to be end of line as there is a new colour screen version. The consequence is I only paid about £30 as opposed to the £250 they were retailing at. They are selling them at Halfords for 79.99 see here:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchCmd?text=harmon+kardon&action=search&storeId=10001&catalogId=10151&langId=-1&x=0&y=0

With free fitting by a Halfords Technician. That would make their day having a Bioxster roll up wouldn't it.

The unit basically mimics the iPods click wheel and screen although the display looks more like an earlier iPod you have all the same menus and playlists you have on the iPod. You can't watch videos, but you shouldn't be whilst driving anyway. With 3 ways to connect you should be able to fit it onto any radio, the wired FM link is a good way to do it, I use a cheap modulator on my Focus wired in. But you can turn the Aux in on on the earlier Porsche radios for better quality but you will loose the CD changer if you have one. If you are happy to mount your iPod, MP3 player or phone on the dash with a clip you can connect using the 3.5mm jack direct to the Aux in just by adding a cable. I would have pictures of adding this cable today

-BUT-

I have just been out trying to get the radio out. I bought some removal tools and they seem to click into the slots and undo a catch. However the force to remove it was getting too much and it didn't even seem loose. Am I missing something here, do the radios have extra fixings for security?

 

[colinbythesea]

Hooray just got the radio out, it just takes a bit of force.

 

[Black80XSA]

Progress then []

 

[colinbythesea]

ORIGINAL: Black80XSA

Progress then []

Yes, at last. Started a new topic about installing the iPod Harmon Kardon interface to continue the saga.