I have just installed a Pioneer aftermarket head unit to my MK1 Fabia so i thought I'd knock up a 'how to' as some questions still arise.

 

Step 1 - Using suitable release tools, release the stereo.

 

Step 2 - Withdraw the stereo and disconnect the ISO connectors and the aerial lead

 

Edited 9 September, 20195 yr by Tech1e

Step 3 - If installing a double DIN stereo remove the cubby box or oddments tray, a short sharp tug will suffice

 

Edited 9 September, 20195 yr by Tech1e

Step 4 - Remove the cage from the new stereo and install into the dash

 

Edited 9 September, 20195 yr by Tech1e

Step 5 - If you have a Symphony stereo you will need a fascia adaptor, this is a genuine Skoda item but these are getting hard to find now.

 

Step 6 - The new stereo will come with an adaptor harness to connect the stereo to the ISO connectors. On this loom you will have a red wire (permanent live) and a yellow wire (ignition live). You can bet these will need swapping around, there are usually bullet connectors to do this.

 

Step 7 - On the new stereo harness you should have a system remote control wire (usually blue). This would connect to a remote wire for an amplifier, but we have another use for this right now.

 

Step 8 - The standard Skoda stereo powers up an aerial amplifier mounted in the aerial base by passing a 12v feed up the co-axial aerial cable. The after market stereo wont to this so you will end up with poor radio reception. This is rectified by installing an aerial adaptor that is connected to the previously mentioned blue wire.

 

Step 9 - Tape up the wiring loom neatly, cloth tape is ideal for this as it will stop the loom rattling about. Connect the standard ISO connectors to the new stereo wiring harness.

 

Step 10 - Connect the aerial adaptor to the aerial lead on the vehicle and secure with tape.

 

Step 11 - Connect the wiring harness and aerial lead to the stereo and insert into the cage. Do not push all the way home yet, run through a function check to see the wiring is correct. Store a few radio stations and then switch the ignition off and remove the key, the stereo should go off. Insert the key and switch the ignition on, the stereo should come on and the stations should be still saved. If not, switch the red/yellow wires back around.

 

Edited 9 September, 20195 yr by Tech1e

Step 12 - Once you are happy all is working as it should gently insert the stereo into the cage, being careful not to trap any wiring behind, Install any fascia trim and set the stereo up as desired.

 

Thanks for the right up mate.

 

I'm going to install a head unit in my 2010 Fabia Estate but have seen that on many similar cars, Polos etc a live cable needs to be connected to a ignition fed fuse in the fusebox. 

 

Hoping I can follow what you've done here as its a great tutorial :)

I bought an aftermarket stereo that fits my skoda fabia mk1 everything is woking but it is getting extremly hot you cant even touch it. I did yellow to yellow .. red to red ... black to black.. have i connected something wrong ? i think its when i try to turn on music then it start to get extremly hot. Becuse if i just start the car and dont touch the stereo then it doesnt becom hot.

Hey,

 

Thanks for a detailed post!

 

Regarding step 8 and your amplifier, I have one on mine all connected like yours but the signal doesn't improve as much. In this video at around 1 minute 17 when he connects the two blue wire the signal is crystal clear compared to when they are not connected. With mine the signal improves but definitely isn't clear, what could be the issue? I have another amplifier coming in the post.

 

Regards

 

King Tui 

On 09/09/2019 at 19:39, Tech1e said:

Step 6 - The new stereo will come with an adaptor harness to connect the stereo to the ISO connectors. On this loom you will have a red wire (permanent live) and a yellow wire (ignition live). You can bet these will need swapping around, there are usually bullet connectors to do this.

 

Hi there bud. I got a simple radio replacement but I don't have these red and yellow wires anymore. Which should I swap therefore, because radio is permanently on, causing central locking to not lock doors.

7 minutes ago, Samuel_Maran said:

Hi there bud. I got a simple radio replacement but I don't have these red and yellow wires anymore. Which should I swap therefore, because radio is permanently on, causing central locking to not lock doors.

 

What are you connecting those plugs to? The central door locking has nothing to do with the perm and ignition wires being inverted, that's because the alarm wire is connected to something. 

To this simple new radio unit

I was told just now by a friend to swap the blue black and red/brown wires between eachother. What do you think?

I have gone for the solution proposed by my friend swapping the red/brown with the blue/black on the black block connector as in picture above and it's working fine now. Maybe someone in the same situation might find it useful. Cheers

Hello!

 

I have bought myself a 2din head unit for my Fabia Mk1, and have tried a couple 2din cages at this point but none of them seems to fit. The cages I have tried are too wide to fit in the dash. I am wondering what cage did you use during your install?

On 31/10/2024 at 23:16, Oliverkempel said:

Hello!

 

I have bought myself a 2din head unit for my Fabia Mk1, and have tried a couple 2din cages at this point but none of them seems to fit. The cages I have tried are too wide to fit in the dash. I am wondering what cage did you use during your install?

I have the exact same problem. 2 din cages are roughly 0.5cm too wide. Any solutions?