ok so i got my new cd player ordered today as part of my xmas, its a kenwood kdc-bt50u , i just want to know am i going to have to buy a wiring connector to make it fit the fabia? or just cut and splice the wires i have? reason i ask is because when i bought my alpine unit for the ibiza i ended up having to go to halford and getting a connector thing to make the wiring connect, but i just dont wanna get it on xmas and not be able to get it setup and running lol.

I recently installed a Kenwood BT unit in mine.

The player came with all the additional wiring required (in the box) and was plug & play (after swapping the reds & yellows). Only prob that I had was that I completely forgot that an aerial adapter is required (and not included in the box), so had to pop out to purchase prior to final fitting.

The Kenwood keys worked a treat for removing the Skoda unit, but I would recommend removal the cubby hole to give you more room when fitting. Also, my cage was a very tight fit and the back of the cubby hole unit required a little filing to ensure that everything fitted correctly.

Don't forget the little piece of dash trim that you'll need to purchase from Skoda...

HTH

Edited 15 December, 201015 yr by Gareth_1.8T

ok so i got my new cd player ordered today as part of my xmas, its a kenwood kdc-bt50u , i just want to know am i going to have to buy a wiring connector to make it fit the fabia? or just cut and splice the wires i have? reason i ask is because when i bought my alpine unit for the ibiza i ended up having to go to halford and getting a connector thing to make the wiring connect, but i just dont wanna get it on xmas and not be able to get it setup and running lol.

Scott when I done mine I just bought an ISO adapter from Halfords, about £15, reading a description on your HU it says its ISO compatible so i'm guessing yours will be the same, just take the HU in with you and they can check you get the right one. Also I've a set of removal keys for the symphony HU if you need them

ok what radio adapter, got a link? and i dont know if an iso connector is required.

just wondered by looking at the size of the standard cd player today, it looks like the standard cd player is bigger than standard din size. so i need to buy a new facia or surround before fitting this?

If its ISO compatible then you dont need any adapters for the main wiring. You`ll need a radio adapter tho, kinda extends it from the big hole in the back of the new unit.

Matt

Edited 15 December, 201015 yr by matt1chelski

yes, standard unit is larger than a single din - you need a piece of dash trim that fits across the top of the headunit - costs a couple of quid from dealer. Sorry, but I don't know the part number.

You shouldn't need to purchase an additional iso connector, the headunit should have all the cables in the box - it really is plug & play.

Radio adapter is about 2 inches long and required for Kenwood units - should be a couple of quid from a Halfords or equivalent car audio store.

one of these for the radio?

That's the one!

cool, will get one ordered. how will i find out about the dash part?

There are some pics around here. I had drafted a lengthy reply including pics, but for my comp had a hissy fit and crashed - now i'm running late for work!

Have a search. You'll need to pop into your local dealer and tell them that you're fitting an aftermarket stereo and that you require the small dash strip. They should know what you mean and It should cost £2-£3. But i'd get this ordered asap so you have it before chrimbo. Otherwise the install will look pants until you get this part.

I'm sure that someone will be along and post a better response and include pics. If they don't i'll get some pics up later.

one of these for the radio?

That will make the radio connector fit but it may not work as well as it could. The skoda car aerial needs powering and you'll need the extra amplifier. The standard symphony unit has this built it.

You should be able to get the aerial gadget and the blanking plate from any Skoda dealership for less than £15, they will know what you need if you ask. The easiest way to get the standard headunit out is to snap a junior hacksaw in half and conveniently they will fit almost exactly. The new HU should come with the required loom, halfords will know if you ask em.

Why do people keep talking about purchasing the official Skoda keys or snapping a hacksaw in half to remove the H/U???

Scott has got a new Kenwood BT unit. Within the box will be two Kenwood keys and these will fit a Fabia unit perfectly. This has been mentioned many times in the past and I was able to confirm this when I fitted my Kenwood BT unit a couple of weeks ago.

That will make the radio connector fit but it may not work as well as it could. The skoda car aerial needs powering and you'll need the extra amplifier. The standard symphony unit has this built it.

You should be able to get the aerial gadget and the blanking plate from any Skoda dealership for less than £15, they will know what you need if you ask. The easiest way to get the standard headunit out is to snap a junior hacksaw in half and conveniently they will fit almost exactly. The new HU should come with the required loom, halfords will know if you ask em.

Have fitted MANY a HU in cars in my time and live with a professional Fitter who i have done work with.

you need:

- HU (new, Cage, keys, ISO connection)

- Keys for old HU

- plastic strip, fits between switch pannel and HU

- if Kenwood unit will need that bit above too, but try your local motor factor will be cheeper than halfrauds

THAT IS IT!

1) make sure all electrics are off

2) keys in factory HU and pull towards you (remove factory HU)

3) pull cubby hole out same direction as old HU.

4) cut/snap/burn/bite all thise fins off the top of the cubby tray as they get in the way

5) trial plug new HU in

- Plug ISO leads into Back oh HU/Cable adapter supplyed with HU (nothing more needs to be purchased here)

- Key in igniton to 1 click (elsectrics on)

- Set up new HU (tune 1 station, change the bass level, something easy to check)

- remove turn electrics off, pull key out igntion

- put key back in to 1st click

- if settings are still there All AOK (skip step 6)

- If settings lost follow step 6 onwards

- Take key out of ignition and unplug HU

6) on the harness supplied with the HU the red and yellow need swapping round.

- Some manufacures already suplly bullet connectors attached to these 2 cables

- Cut Solder and heat shrink

- Use a pin to pop the end out the iso block and swap (this is a pain in a butt to do)

7) Fit plastic strip to ugly bit of platic under switch pannel

8) refit De-Finned cubby tray

9) install cage.

10) plug HU in and install in dash.

Note always put the cubby tray back in before the cage, it helps locate the cage propperly. if you have a double DIN unit, miss out steps 4&8.

Instalers recomend an areal booster for the installation into VAG cars, but this means finding a live cable to tap off of (dont like doing, if done wrong V.Dangrous) or finding a switched live spare in the fuse box and running a cable (awkward)

I missed this item out of my install and i pick up the same reception as my dad had in his fabia with this unit. Someone informed me this only boosts LW/MW signal, and does nothing to FM, so useless to me.

But try it without if you think you dont have good reception then its only a 5 min job to install.

Have fitted MANY a HU in cars in my time and live with a professional Fitter who i have done work with.

you need:

- HU (new, Cage, keys, ISO connection)

- Keys for old HU

- plastic strip, fits between switch pannel and HU

- if Kenwood unit will need that bit above too, but try your local motor factor will be cheeper than halfrauds

THAT IS IT!

1) make sure all electrics are off

2) keys in factory HU and pull towards you (remove factory HU)

3) pull cubby hole out same direction as old HU.

4) cut/snap/burn/bite all thise fins off the top of the cubby tray as they get in the way

5) trial plug new HU in

- Plug ISO leads into Back oh HU/Cable adapter supplyed with HU (nothing more needs to be purchased here)

- Key in igniton to 1 click (elsectrics on)

- Set up new HU (tune 1 station, change the bass level, something easy to check)

- remove turn electrics off, pull key out igntion

- put key back in to 1st click

- if settings are still there All AOK (skip step 6)

- If settings lost follow step 6 onwards

- Take key out of ignition and unplug HU

6) on the harness supplied with the HU the red and yellow need swapping round.

- Some manufacures already suplly bullet connectors attached to these 2 cables

- Cut Solder and heat shrink

- Use a pin to pop the end out the iso block and swap (this is a pain in a butt to do)

7) Fit plastic strip to ugly bit of platic under switch pannel

8) refit De-Finned cubby tray

9) install cage.

10) plug HU in and install in dash.

Note always put the cubby tray back in before the cage, it helps locate the cage propperly. if you have a double DIN unit, miss out steps 4&8.

Instalers recomend an areal booster for the installation into VAG cars, but this means finding a live cable to tap off of (dont like doing, if done wrong V.Dangrous) or finding a switched live spare in the fuse box and running a cable (awkward)

I missed this item out of my install and i pick up the same reception as my dad had in his fabia with this unit. Someone informed me this only boosts LW/MW signal, and does nothing to FM, so useless to me.

But try it without if you think you dont have good reception then its only a 5 min job to install.

great write-up, worth being pinned?