Changing the radio

In my car I can play MP3 devices through the radio and I really miss this feature in the motorhome.

I have read elsewhere of owners changing their radio but I wondered if anyone on the forum had done this. My vehicle has the added complication of radio controls on the steering wheel and I would not like to lose this feature.

Hello Bob

Easiest way is probably to use one of these: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Not sure how good they are as I've not used one myself but if it works certainly cheaper than a new radio

Admin wrote:Hello Bob

Easiest way is probably to use one of these: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Not sure how good they are as I've not used one myself but if it works certainly cheaper than a new radio

I already have one and the quality is well below that of CD. I know it won't be cheap but its the price I must pay to take my entire music collection with me on my MP3 player.

I replaced the radio in our X-250 Boxer with a Sony. Very straightforward and only took 10 minutes or so as the connecting plug is the same. There is an option on the wiring to disable the auto cut off. A Sony remote control is available on Ebay for around £12 which gives control of most of the radio functions from anywhere in the van, including switching it off. On our radio we can play mp3's either on cd or usb flash memory.

To maintain the steering wheel remote function you will need to buy two extra cables at a cost of around £25. The cables you need for a Sony are
Autoleads pc99-x25 (CAN bus interface)
Autoleads pc99-SON (Sony specific lead)

nimbus wrote:I replaced the radio in our X-250 Boxer with a Sony. Very straightforward and only took 10 minutes or so as the connecting plug is the same. There is an option on the wiring to disable the auto cut off. A Sony remote control is available on Ebay for around £12 which gives control of most of the radio functions from anywhere in the van, including switching it off. On our radio we can play mp3's either on cd or usb flash memory.

To maintain the steering wheel remote function you will need to buy two extra cables at a cost of around £25. The cables you need for a Sony are
Autoleads pc99-x29 (CAN bus interface)
Autoleads pc99-SON (Sony specific lead)

Hi nimbus,

That's very helpful.

Which Sony model did you buy?
Where did you source the leads?
Is your X250 post 2008? I believe the wiring was different on earlier models.

Bob - Mine's a couple of years old now so the model has been replaced but I got it in Argos, only because they had a big price reduction on it at the time. I think I paid around £70. You'll find much cheaper prices on the Internet once you've decided which one you want.

I haven't bought the remote leads but Dave Newell on another forum told me which ones to get. I thought I'd try it without and just didn't get around to spending £25 quid on them. A quick Google search brought up this place to get them [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] but a phone call wouldn't go amiss just to make sure they're the correct ones.

My Warwick Duo is April 2009.

No aftermarket radio is a perfect fit in the X-250 fascia as the original set is slightly curved but I find it perfectly acceptable, and I'm fussy about these things! If you do want a perfect fit I think that you can buy a plastic moulding to replace the original for around £17, but I wouldn't bother. You can always retrofit it later it it does bother you.

Roly

Hi Roly,

Thank you for the quick and informative reply.

I am about to order the SONY CDX-GT33U from Amazon at what seems a very good price (£57).

I will take your advice and telephone in car express.

As I am away next weekend this job may not get done until I return. Thanks for your advice.

Hi Roly,

I have checked with in car express and they have told me to order PC99-X25 lead plus the Sony adaptor.


I have read the instruction manual for the Sony and it does not mention a mute function. Does your model mute?

I find this useful when the navigator gives directions.

Bob - Sorry to give you the wrong cable ref. Blame it on Dave Newell!

nimbus wrote:Bob - Sorry to give you the wrong cable ref. Blame it on Dave Newell!

Hi Roly,

Not a problem, I am glad for your assistance.

nimbus wrote:Bob - Sorry to give you the wrong cable ref. Blame it on Dave Newell!

Hi Roly,

I think I owe you an apology.

I contacted Dynamic Sounds and they recommended the PC99-X29 lead with a stereo patch lead. It seems Peugeot fit a Fiat radio in their vehicles.

I purchased these leads and the Sony radio from them but I now find the steering controls do not work. I suspect the new wiring harness is faulty. Dynamic Sounds are awaiting further supplies.

Thank you for your help.

Bob - No problem. But I'd appreciate it if you'd let me know if the X29 works ok, including the mute, as I might splash out and buy the leads.

Roly

nimbus wrote:Bob - No problem. But I'd appreciate it if you'd let me know if the X29 works ok, including the mute, as I might splash out and buy the leads.

Roly

I have not found one person who has made the steering controls work and I am beginning to doubt the advice of so called experts.

If I am successful you will hear the shouts of joy where you live. You will also read about it here.

I'm sure that Dave Newell could tell you as I think he's installed the leads on a customer's vehicle. You could try sending him a pm on the Out and About Live forum or have a look at this thread
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Sorry, the link in the above post isn't the the correct one. Just spent 10 minutes looking for the right one but couldn't find it.

Found the correct thread. Here 'tis
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

nimbus wrote:Found the correct thread. Here 'tis
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Thank you Roly, that is very helpful.

I will try to contact Dave Newell to see if he can offer any practical advice. However it might be that one of the leads supplied is faulty.

I thought I would provide an update on this saga.

I contacted David Newell who referred me to Autoleads. They in turn refused to speak to me unless I used their premium rate phone number. They explained they are primarily a trade organisation. I have sent them an email but I have not as yet received a reply.

Meanwhile the supplier of the radio and harness, Dynamic Sounds, have been out of stock of the required harness for about 2 weeks. They need to try another harness as the one supplied could be faulty.

The radio is excellent but the steering control problem is annoying and might take a few weeks to resolve.

I too have fitted a Sony radio to my Boxer and it was simple to fit. I agree about the fit in the dash, but it looks OK if I squint a bit

I'm very happy with not having to turn it on again every 20 minutes, but I too am waiting to find out the exact part required to enable the steering wheel controls, as I have read conflicting advice as to the part number

"as I have read conflicting advice as to the part number "

Yes I have found this to be a problem also but my supplier maintains I have the right part but cannot explain why it does not work.

When fresh stocks arrive I will pay the supplier a personal visit and challenge them to make it work.

This is becoming for me like a dog with a bone.

I've just had a thought

Are you sure that your new radio - the GT33U - actually supports the steering wheel control function?

I had to change my GT200 for a GT540U in order to get steering wheel control support (not that I've bought the cables yet!)

oldlowie wrote:I've just had a thought

Are you sure that your new radio - the GT33U - actually supports the steering wheel control function?

I had to change my GT200 for a GT540U in order to get steering wheel control support (not that I've bought the cables yet!)

When I ordered the radio and leads I specifically told the supplier that I wanted to retain steering wheel controls. The radio supplied has a "remote in" connection on the back which should throught the correct lead provide steering wheel control. I am still awaiting a replacement lead.

I have just spoken to my supplier and found there have been numerous complaints about the lack of steering controls across a wide range of vehicles but only relating to Sony and Pioneer radios. The main supplier of leads (Autoleads) appear to accept there is a problem with their current lead and have told my supplier to take them off the shelf. A replacement lead is expected within 1 to 2 weeks. Could there be light at the end of this tunnel?

orian wrote: A replacement lead is expected within 1 to 2 weeks. Could there be light at the end of this tunnel?

Let's hope so. We can both get our steering wheel controls back

Hi all,

Success.

At long last I have my steering controls working. The problem appears to have been a faulty batch of Multistalk Adaptor Patch Leads.

To recap, I fitted a Sony CDX-GT35U radio, Autoleads PC99-X29 connecting lead and a PC99-SON multistalk adaptor patch lead.

I should mention that the mute button does not silence the radio/CD but it "Attenuates" or significantly reduces the volume.

I hope this assists all those wanting to use steering controls. My thanks to Dynamic Sounds who supplied the parts.