I was wondering if anyone had any pointers on how to route wires from electrics under steering wheel to roof console in a model with the courtesy/reading lights and electric sunroof.

One crazy thought I had was perhaps I could cut one cable in the roof, attach wires and a bit of string, pull through, then pull back cut wire to roof with string (although I bet it wouldn't work).

Also I am wondering where to find the wire that stays live (keeping the stereo on) until the ignition key is removed. (The Haynes wiring diagram is helpfully crap and says it comes directly from the same live fusebox feed which I know it doesn't - I know it's at the back of the stereo but it disappears off somewhere).

I am guessing it's easy enough to route wires between engine bay and electrics or a search here will reveal that info

Thanks in advance.

hi mate

to get it the roof consule ie the courtesy light should be easy enuff, I installed ultra sonic sensors in my car so it mor ore less the same route.....

route I took is as follows:

From steering wheel to fuse box... ( pop panel off on drivers side end of dashboard)

from there cable was routed up the "A" pillar ... ( this can be done by tucking the cable between the "A" pillar trim and the windscreen)(but where it meets the dash care must be taken... i used the edge of a credit card to assist in tucking it in )

when u get to the top of the trim ... u can then start to tuck in behind the head cloth.... until u reach the destination ie the interior light assembly.... where u should be able to fish it out....

the stereo live wire.... hmmm .... well I know the stereo has 2 live feeds... one perminant live ( for radio preset memory) and one switched live ( from the key switch)( or so youd think)

why are you needing to do this anyway if you dont mind me asking?..... are u installing an aftermarket stereo?.... if so the new stereo should have a facility to reconfigure the live supply options... ie radio able to come on with outout the key in the ignition...... done by swapping two cables on the radio loom..... usually a red and yellow cable.... these can either be swapped or both put into one connector depending on what you want.... instructions should be with the radio installation instructions........

Geting a cable to the engine bay......... This is a question that I have asked before and no one was able to answer...... I have looked at this and find it impossible with out either drilling a hole in the bulkhead or ripping out the dash to find a suitable grommeted area to allow this....

hope this helps.... sorry if it seems abit long winded

Thanks for your reply. Your method looks like it should do fine, and better than pulling out more bits of trim.

I am planning to install an alarm so was going to put a microwave sensor somewhere under the headlining (I am hoping there's enough space in the cubby hole where the sunroof motor is, then all I have to do is pop off the cover to adjust sensitivity).

Also on switched stereo live, I was interested in connecting this to the alarm as the switched live to control auto lock/unlock of central locking (if I get around to retro fitting central locking). I think it would be good if the doors unlocked when the key is removed from the ignition - rather than just when the engine stops running. I had a difficult time installing the stereo (in fact I cracked the plastic trim trying to force it, lol) so don't fancy digging behind the stereo if I don't need to. I presume the switched live comes from the ignition switch.

I noticed there's a grommet in the engine bay but it appears to go through to the plenum chamber (bit where air goes to fan motor).

The Fabia electrical system is somewhat mysterious to me, and the Haynes wiring diagrams aren't particularly complete. The old Favorit was very very basic in comparison.

Edited 30 March, 201016 yr by anewman

i had a nightmare removing my old stereo too.... i ended up drilling where the removal tool was supposed to go into and prising off the faceplate..... it was either this or damage the surround...... needless to say the old skoda tape deck is now history....

i still think it will be easier picking up the switched earth at the rear of the head unit rather than mess about with wiring at the steering colum and ignition switch... ill have a look at mine later and il tell you the colour that its supposed to be....

didnt get a chance to look at the wiring color for you buddy... got called into work to look at a UPS problem and this is the first ive got to sit down all day... hopefully get a look tomorrow for you

Spent ages searching on the net and found this http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=5dde693a7cf7f2b88066db0503cf4f2c438d78c2%207736e4a0 which features a downloadable wiring diagram pdf for 2004 models (hoping it's not too dissimilar to my 02 model). From what I can tell the wire I am looking for is at number 8 on the 8 pin ignition switch connector, is fused by fuse 10 (if I am right I guess removing that fuse will stop the stereo turning on), is on the connector xs4 of central electrics 18 pin connector wire 2.

Crikey, all mind blowing stuff. Hope I won't pop anything if I try testing it for voltage with a multimeter.

..... I ve lost the keys for removing my new head unit.... Dam.... I thought Id put them somewhere safe ..... send me a direct link for the down load and ill have a look, that link just bring up a big list ..

dont think youll blow anything, not unless you short some thing out with one of the probes

Looked at a few more of the documents and found one for my year. These wiring diagrams are quite extensive and look like they're from a manual used by Skoda themselves. Surprised they have survived on the net so long without being pulled.

2000 - 2002 http://www.mediafire.com/?edm4zdvinzz

2003 - 2004 http://www.mediafire.com/?7z1j4y2xjdl

2004 - http://www.mediafire.com/?eicn2ddr0zf