Swapping over in-car (boat) entertainment system

[philipm]

I purchased a bluetooth-enabled head unit to replace the existing unit, assuming (!) I could use the existing cables.

However when I removed the existing unit I discovered that it has a completely different socket to the new unit so the main cable (which has about 8 or 10 different wires going into it) doesn't fit.

Does anyone know if this is because I purchased a cheap item off Ebay or whether indeed there are various different sockets for these head units (which I should have paid more attention to)??

 

[julians]

There are different type of socket, they're just different standards.

You can get adapter cables if you know what type you're going from and to.

The website below has some adapters for example

Radio Fitting Adapter Cables (Car specific to ISO) - InCarTec

 

[Mr Googler]

have you got any pictures of the connectors involved?

check you haven’t got ISO connectors (2 large blocks) covered in tape further along the “boat loom”.

what make/model are the old and new head units.

 

[philipm]

I've got photos of the rear of both units but as usual the "file size is too large for the server".

Basically the existing unit uses one large socket and the new unit uses two smaller sockets. They are similar although not identical coloured wires going into each connector.

The old unit is a pioneer and the new unit is some cheapo unbranded unit.

 

[jrudge]

Just cut it all off and re wire it.

You will have power in and speakers out. The only reason for more wires will be if you have additional amps / sources.

A car also has an ignition line which you should just tie to +

 

[philipm]

The wire colours don't match so I suspect that would end unsuccessfully given my skills.

The idea of the adaptors mentioned above appeals if I can find one that matches.

 

[philipm]

There are different type of socket, they're just different standards.

You can get adapter cables if you know what type you're going from and to.

The website below has some adapters for example

Radio Fitting Adapter Cables (Car specific to ISO) - InCarTec

Thanks for this. That's useful.

My existing wiring loom is for a 16 pin Pioneer so I need an an adapter from this to the new ISO head unit.

However the adaptors I've searched on ebay seem to be for the opposite of that i.e. existing ISO to 16 pin head unit so I would have a female end meeting the female end on the new ISO unit.

 

[philipm]

have you got any pictures of the connectors involved?

check you haven’t got ISO connectors (2 large blocks) covered in tape further along the “boat loom”.

what make/model are the old and new head units.

Just to draw a line under this and give a big thanks to Farsco, on closer inspection there were other connectors further back on the wiring loom, to which someone had added adaptors for the existing Pioneer head unit. So it was just a case of removing the Pioneer adaptors and plugging in to the original connectors - and we are all sorted!

Cheers!