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Installing a head unit (and other q's) for a beginner 

 

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 Post subject: Installing a head unit (and other q's) for a beginner
Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 10:01 am 
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Hi all, this is my first post i have an EF 95 falcon gli (my first car) and it just has the originall tapdeck i am looking to put a head unit in, first i need to find an anti tamper torx screwdriver to take the originall out and then i was wondering are there many head units that i can just plug straight in to the plugs what were in the tap deck?? or will i have to cut and reconect wires?
Another thing all of the lights for the transmition (park,neutral ...) arnt clear they are all broken up it looks crap any ideas?? and one more thing my hand brake and park lights dont come on when using the handbrake or when im in park? the handbrake one flashes on when i start the car.
One last thing when i turn the ignition to on the radiator fan comes on this only happens from starting cold, thermostat maby??
Thanks, (i knoe the last questions should of been posted elsewhere)
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 12:07 pm 
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Firstly those screws can be removed by finding a nice little tool at your local bunnings, is witht eh allenkey sets. mine is a kingchrome i think and has various sizes in one tool. Bout $30 i think, very handy as it acts as allen keys aswell. The plugs are for ford units only as far as i know, you can purchase an adaptor plug from anywhere seling aerpro gear (autobahn do) for your deck and for a falcon, alternatively cut or strip back the wires and solder and tape the new loom in. if you intend on ever getting rid of the car, leave the old plug in wired in that way it can be reused.


as for the lights, handbrake check the wire under your cup holder there is a modular connection plug there. otherwise check connection on h/b itself. same with other lights, take gearknob of and remove panel, check lights and clean plastic cover if needed.

If you engine is starting cold and thermo fans start i would say prob with thermosat, first thing to replace, can get a replace from repco about $15 if fails check temp sender unit. if ya gonna replace the thermostat its a good excuss to spend some quality time wih her and do service while your already there
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 12:07 pm 
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You can get tools for the torque screws from places like d**k Smith, Bunnings etc. Regarding the head unit installation, it is possible to find harnesses that connect to the factory plug and then into [what brand] your head unit is. Otherwise cutting and soldering is the way to go.
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 12:43 pm 
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Thanks alot for the fast replies, i have found a set of the tamper proof screw drivers from jaycar there only $8.95 nice and cheap. at gibbos they wanted 50 dollars for a set very similar. I think i will go for the adaptor plug, just safer for me i guess.
With the auto lights how do i take the panel off to get too them, is it the nut below the shifter??
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 1:10 pm 
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Take the shifter handle off, then gently pry it off with a flat headed screwdriver. Dont just rip it off, but lift it up gently and there you will need to unplug a bulb and the economy mode switch. From here its just a it of careful maneourving to remove it completely.

Mine is cracked so it looks like P R N D 3 2 1 are put together mosically. Easy to replace.
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 1:50 pm 
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I fitted a Panasonic head unit on the weekend.
Get an adapter cable form supercheap/repco.
If your hed unit has din plugs-just plug it in-if not cut them off the adapter and sloder the wires (very easy as all are coded and marked on the wiring on the adapter plug)
If u need wiring colours see:
http://www.fordmods.com/phpBB2/documents.php?doc=27

The hardest part is making the DIN bracket fit.

I just got some alloy plate and bent it like an upside down "u" shape (you will need to measure this correctly) and just slotted it into the existing bracket hole with the new DIN bracket connected at the top.

Than just a couple of screws to anchor it-and presto-Just like a bought one.

 

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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 4:33 pm 
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What is the actuall name of these adaptors to put another head unit in without soldering or anything,I cant find them on the net anywhere? also do you think that the factory pioneer speakers are ok, or should i look to upgrade them for better quality?
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 5:22 pm 
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dregg69 wrote:
What is the actuall name of these adaptors to put another head unit in without soldering or anything,I cant find them on the net anywhere? also do you think that the factory pioneer speakers are ok, or should i look to upgrade them for better quality?


The stock ones were actually very good for stock. Paper coned Pioneers.

Install you're new HU, and have a listen, if you don't like it, go replace them.

 

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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 7:42 pm 
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dregg69 wrote:
What is the actuall name of these adaptors to put another head unit in without soldering or anything,I cant find them on the net anywhere?


Any auto shop - whether they specialise in car audio or not - should have a number of them. It should be just a simple matter of asking at the counter.

Also, one thing to look out for - and I didn't realise this myself until I went to pull the H/U out of my Dads GLi as the offending screw had been removed from my car completely - when removing the stock head unit is that on one side the dash fascia fouls the HU screw - no doubt a security meant to make the thing harder to steal. To remove this you have to undo the two or three screws holding the dash fascia on around the cig lighter/radio area and prise it off just enough to remove the screw and subsequently the HU itself.

 

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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 8:41 pm 
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Thanks for the replys again, I think i have seen the screw that you are talking about i am sure ill be able to get it out.
Also how hard is it to wire in an amplifer to the originall sound system, would i be better off taking it into a shop??
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Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 2:06 am 
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Wiring an amp in is easy if you know enough about electronics. I just did a hu, sub and amp install on my EF. For the adaptors, have a look at www.aerpro.com.au repco stock them, so do strathfield, but you do have to order them in. I was quoted $9 odd for pioneer to universal and $28 odd for Ford to universal. Where abouts you located mate, if you are in Sydney i'd be happy to help out with the install. Its a bit of a hobby for me, already done two of my own cars, plus three different mates.
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Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 8:57 am 
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Yea well i am a fair way away from sydney im near byron bay in northen nsw. I do know a bit about electronics but not so much about car wiring and that sorta stuff. Would i have to cut and rejoin wires everywhere??
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Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 9:55 am 
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dregg69 wrote:
Yea well i am a fair way away from sydney im near byron bay in northen nsw. I do know a bit about electronics but not so much about car wiring and that sorta stuff. Would i have to cut and rejoin wires everywhere??


Not if you can get the right adapter loom. Then it's a unplug old HU, plug in new HU job.

 

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Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 10:02 am 
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Ok, well thanks heps for all the replys i am going to buy the adaptors so there is no soldering and i think i will leave the amp out for the mean time at least, i might upgrade the factory speakers first. Now another thing i am really wanting to put a trip computer in my car, there are plenty that come up on ebay so getting one wont be a problem, but installing? i have 4 wires going in to the 8 pin plug, would it be a big (hard) job to connect all the rest of the wires?? i have read a few articals on it, do ford dealaships install these??
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Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 12:09 pm 
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dregg69 wrote:
Ok, well thanks heps for all the replys i am going to buy the adaptors so there is no soldering and i think i will leave the amp out for the mean time at least, i might upgrade the factory speakers first. Now another thing i am really wanting to put a trip computer in my car, there are plenty that come up on ebay so getting one wont be a problem, but installing? i have 4 wires going in to the 8 pin plug, would it be a big (hard) job to connect all the rest of the wires?? i have read a few articals on it, do ford dealaships install these??


Quote:
do ford dealaships install these??

:lol:

Seriously, there is only three extra wires to add, two can be added from the rear demist button (these just control lighting). The third has to be run from the cluster. I've done it myself recently, it is easy enough. But you can't avoid the soldering if you want a good job. (I spose 'strip and twist' would work, but they might work loose over time).

If you do get a TC, try to get one which comes with the loom already attached, makes the job much much much (much) easier.

 

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