I have this,

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/ice-security-insurance/octavia-mark-ii-oem-head-unit-conversion-package/75232/

and one of these ,

Alpine Electronics of America, Inc. - iDA-X001

After a great afternoon washing and cleaning my car I wanted to fit the new head unit. It was a hassle removing the facia surround as the clips at the top were really tough to pull out.

I removed the Skoda Stream unit and disconnected the CAN-BUS interface and aerial connection. I reconnected the CAN-BUS to ISO adapter and wanted to test the new head unit before installing it into the dash board. I connected it all up as can be seen by these step by step pictures.

The problem is, I'm not getting any power to the unit and having checked the battery and 'ignition' connections I can only assume that I still need to follow the last Skoda instruction which I'm confused about:

"Connect the black/white conductor into the fuse box in the following position:

SB 5 with the cars until the MY 2005 inclusive,

SB 9 with the cars since the MY2006 inclusive, and insert the fuse into the occupied positon"

I assume that my car is the second option (built 2006) and I've opened the dash fuse box but am not sure what is meant by "SB 9". Can anybody assist?

That would be fuse 9.

That would be fuse 9.

Err, I presumed it was fuse 9 (currently not used) but have I missed something with the fuse box? It has fuses in it, one of which I have but where does the cable connect to?

I am stupid!:confused:

It connects into the back of the fuse box, you then put the fuse into the front.,

You'll need to remove the dash knee panel and gain access to the rear of the fusebox to insert the wire. The purple part in the back of the fuse box slides by a very small amount to allow you to insert the new cable.

Be careful removing the lower dash panel as there are two screws hidden under the silver(If you have a vRS) trims either side of the steering column. Also need to know how to remove the headlight switch.

Thanks Lummox and VRStu - that was most useful information, particularly about removing the dash panel. I had to (print and) read it a couple of times to understand the steps but I've managed to locate the thread the black/white wire over to the fuse box.

It's taken me all afternoon and was a real hassle. Although I took the back of the fuse box off, inserting the cable securely so the fuse would connect to it was impossible. I ended up ruining the hole in which it was meant to stay as it wouldn't go in far enough to make contact with the fuse around the front. In the end I did a slightly botched job of connecting the two by a piece of wire. It's safe and secure but I know it's not the best it could be.

Finally the head unit came to life and I checked it worked before squeezing all the cables back into the rear of the Double DIN hole and securing it in place.

I'm very happy with the new head unit and it's a dream to use with my iPod but there are still a few quirks I need help with:

1) I believe that the CAN-BUS to ISO adapter only provides connections for power and speaker output. At the moment, the unit only switches on if the electric ignition is switched on. This means I cannot power the unit without the key in the ignition and turned. When I switch the engine off the head unit powers down. In addition, the unit does not remember its settings and always starts in its default state i.e no power memory.

What do I need to do to rectify this? Can I fake some cable connections to achieve power all the time?

2) I have a spare cable that can be connected to the car's light switch so that the head unit display dims when it's dark outside and I need to use my lights.

What do I need to do to connect this in my Octavia?

3) You will see from the last picture that if I use the original (silver) facia plate, there are gaps between the DIN housing and the sides of the plate. I'm going to ask Skoda if they have a replacement facia in silver rather than the black that they provide but it's not looking its best for now.

I suspect the problem you had with the fuse carrier in the fuse panel was that you've not released the purple part as I described above. I have highlighted on your picture a small clip that should be release to allow the purple part to slide. Once this is done the termination on the wire will smoothly clip into place.

Hmmm. I thought I'd done something wrong. Thanks. Ok, I'll leave it for now but if I need to remove it again I'll check out the removal of the purple clip.

I hope it's not expensive to replace or that Skoda won't complain when I take it into servicing. Woops!

I would sparay that replacement black facia with some silver aluminum paint. Pretty sure it's been done before if you search.

Ok, I've solved the first issue of permanent power. It was mentioned that you can swap (or move) the yellow cable over to the ignition feed in addition to the red so that the stereo always has power .

This works fine but I am concerned that because it always has power, it might drain the battery quicker. Even when the unit is off, I can see that the USB key is powered up. I guess the Stream stereo was also permanently powered.

All I need to do now is find a suitable fuse connection to activate the dimmer cable... oh and get a better facia surround or blanking plates.

Thank you so much for all your help guys!

I wouldn't worry about the permanent live draining the battery, as most stereos have a permanent live to maintain back up of settings and radio stations etc.

I'll be fitting a Pioneer cd player, amps, sub and components in my VRS II when it lands in August, so I am watching all the hifi orientatd threads at the mo

You'll need to remove the dash knee panel and gain access to the rear of the fusebox to insert the wire. The purple part in the back of the fuse box slides by a very small amount to allow you to insert the new cable.

Be careful removing the lower dash panel as there are two screws hidden under the silver(If you have a vRS) trims either side of the steering column. Also need to know how to remove the headlight switch.

Tried to remove my knee panel today fitting my kit.

How do I get to the 2 screws either side of the steering column, under the silver trim?

Do I have to remove the silver trim, if so how is this done without damage?

Yep the silver trim prises off.

Yep the silver trim prises off.

Right, more carefull prising tomorrow.

I'm gonna wire my Nokia kit to the fusebox if it kills me (have the correct VAG 000979133 wires, just need access to the fusebox).

Thanks again Stu.

Make sure you note the security latch in the fusebox, pictured above.

Make sure you note the security latch in the fusebox, pictured above.

Noted

Noted

I also tried to 'note' the security latch on the fusebox when I had a second look but still couldn't get it unlocked so left it as it was and found another source. It's really awkward to see around the fusebox and I didn't want to start poking screw drivers around without knowing what I was doing.

Thankfully I got everything working in the end.

Old thread but if anyone who have done this could advice.

I have MY08 VRS TFSi Combi and there is no wire on SB9 on fuse box currently so putting radio wire and fuse there does not do anything. It there some change on fuse box wiring on MY08? Does anyone have access to fuse box schematics to check this?

Also do you have power on your radio when key is on ACC? I couldn't find any fuse which i could use that has power on ACC but not when key is off... any advice?

If you have the genuine part and the instructions are not up to date then it would be worth contacting Skoda Customer Services in your country.

Old thread but if anyone who have done this could advice.

I have MY08 VRS TFSi Combi and there is no wire on SB9 on fuse box currently so putting radio wire and fuse there does not do anything. It there some change on fuse box wiring on MY08? Does anyone have access to fuse box schematics to check this?

Also do you have power on your radio when key is on ACC? I couldn't find any fuse which i could use that has power on ACC but not when key is off... any advice?

I couldn't find the correct wire either if I remember rightly (mine is an 07 vrs).

However I ran the wire direct to the battery and with an in line fuse close to the battery all is good.

I have currently installed it so that I use some trailer fuse to that black/white wire and now my radio is on only when power is on, not when ACC. Memory keeps stored stuff so there is constant power like there should.

Need to visit on local store even their opening hours doesn't fit my daily schedule. Just asking if anyone has faced this also.