Good morning !

Just a quick question ... I got a radio through "Freecycle" yesterday. Didnt build my hopes up .. but it fits beautifully. Wired it up and it works too (bonus) ... as it was free i have no wiring instructions .... could i just run it past you that it is in correctly ?!

Back of unit had many holes but car had less wires ! What did fit was a black block with approx 4 "circuit ends" in .. this slid into corresponding half. Also something that looked suspiciously (sp) like an aerial jack. Thats it ....

Wires on radio were tagged as ACC and CELLULAR MUTE and FUSE .... nothing in the bundle of wires from car to match these.

Does this sound about right ? or am i going to shock myself ?

I applied the duck test and the radio works .. even tuned it in to local stations .. come on im female !!

If the unit powers up and can be tuned then it should be fine.

The other connectors on the back of the unit will be for things like phone kits and that, if you've not got them in the car then they won't connect into anything...

Rob.

Most Radios have a standard ISO fitting and in the Felly it should just be a case of remove old and slot in new.

I did have to get mine rewired though.

But if it works you have nothing to worry about, text in a victory text to Radio 1

If it works then I wouldn't worry at all!

Apart from the loudspeaker wires and the aerial, minimum is two wires: one 12 V live wire and one earth. Often the 12 V comes after the ignition switch (so that the radio only works when ignition is turned on). In that case you might also need a constant 12 V live or the radio will lose pre-set stations every time it's turned off (that's ACC, accumulator or battery). If you only have a constant live you must remember to turn it off or your battery will eventually decharge if parked for long.

Such posh items as wires for antennas that goes up and down when you turn radio on/off or "cellular mute" (radio goes mute when you use your cellphone) are really not befitting for a Felicia

"Fuse" - well, there should be a fuse, somewhere. Could be that the live wire you use comes from the fusebox and "after" a fuse, in that case no problems. But if it's a lead directly from the battery, then you should mount a fuse holder on the wire (easy!)

Lmao ... thanks guys, i thought it should be ok.

Quite proud of myself

Also fitted a "Audio Visual Urchin Suppresion Device".... aka Poratable dvd player, so these long hard drives to Tesco's should be easier

Think i'll whip it out and double check i have all the bits in the right place ... bit concerned about it discharging the battery though ... how can i tell if its a "constant live" and by turn it off do you mean at the ignition or overnight etc (if so how ?). Don't think the RAC would come out for a flat battery due to my radio wiring skills

...how can i tell if its a "constant live" and by turn it off do you mean at the ignition or overnight etc (if so how ?). Don't think the RAC would come out for a flat battery due to my radio wiring skills

If you can turn the radio on without turning the ignition key it's connected to a constant or permanent live (my English may be a bit dodgy when it comes to delicate details). In that case just remember to turn radio off before leaving the car! It may sound silly, but it can be forgotten - especially if you've been listening to a cd and just stop the disc so that it's silent but still turned on.

SwedishSkoda ... your English is perfect and i appreciate your help.

Yep .. it works without the ignition on, so it's on a constant live as described. Making sure the radio is off doesn't sound silly in the slightest,as you say .. It's easily done.

Thanks again.

T.

if the plugs at the back of the radio slot it, then youve wired it in properly! and there have been quite a few times ive left the radio on when i get out the car because of skodas wonderful idea of letting all the electrics stay on when the engines off, i got back to my car at the end of collge to find my radio still playing from the morning :S

I like the fact you can listen to the radio without the ignition on - used to drive me mad when it wasn't the other way around! I have a routine so usually don't forget to turn it off! The thing is it can damage the ignition system (or so I have been told) leaving the ignition on to listen to the radio. So its best having its own power

All good so far .... think i struck gold really. The lovely chap gave me a Pioneer unit with removable panel and for free too.

It's worth a look if you are wanting to get rid of some clutter and don't fancy binning it freecycle.co.uk

I wonder .. does taking the panel (facia) off switch the unit off ?

Well thats me bopping around to some music ... Driving Miss Daisy im not though ...

Is it me or has the price of Motion Lotion rocketed lately ?!

Thanks for all the advice ... as ever, it's greatly appreciated.

T.

Freecycle does rock! Got a decent enough combi oven/microwave off my local one this week. Will be nice not to have to heat up a whole normal oven to do the cooking.

Usually for ignition switched power, you put the radios power (usually a red wire) to the car's yellow wire. But if you want permanent live then I see no problem with it as long as it is turned off every time you finish a journey.

I'll bear that site in mind as I might be removing an old PC from someones house as they have 2 shiny new laptops.

The motion lotion has gone up but Shell is the cheapest for me atm 100.9 I think it might be 101.9 now though but I'm getting money off when I use my Egg card there.

On the Favorit the live and live switched wires are both constantly on, I assume it's the same in the Felicia. I bodged mine with a scotchloc connector onto the correct wire in the fusebox to a bit of wire, crimped on a bullet connector and using the headunit's loom which allows you to swap over the wire connected it directly to that. Reason being my stereo has a facility to drop down the fascia and beep (to remind you to take it) when the ignition is turned off which is a little useful.

I don't think you'll have any problems so long as you don't leave it playing any music, removing the fascia will turn it off.

I never had much luck with freecycle in either acquiring or donating goods. Offered a small fridge with a little freezer compartment. Got 4 e-mails, one e-mailed back later saying they managed to get one and no longer needed it, and one from someone who wanted it for a BBQ for the weekend, then someone who wanted it for a Church club or something, and can't remember the other. Being kind person I was, I e-mailed the person who wanted it for the church first as I thought it would benefit the most people (I'm not religious though). Got no e-mail back at all. E-mailed the next person, no e-mail back. Don't know if they were being ignorant or if it inadvertently went into their junk mail or something.

Everything you want to know about radio connections, and then some:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/ice-security-insurance/ice-iso-connections/47926/

If you look at the picture in link above, the crucial part here is the A contact. 12 V on A4 is needed to keep preset stations when radio (ignition) is turned off. 12V on A7 is needed for the radio to function. And earth (A8) is of course vital. The rest is just posh extras.

I agree with anewman that older Skodas (and maybe newer) doesn't fit the ISO standard completely. Also IIRC all VAG cars have swapped the permanent 12V (red) and 12 V from ignition (yellow), as devonutopia says.

In my Felicia I have permanent 12V on both yellow and red (A4 and A7). I wouldn't have bothered but for the fact that there's a LED illumination in the ON button, gleaming through the night. But since I didn't want to add another wire to the snakes' nest under the dashboard I mounted a "main switch" on the plastic wall of the radio slot. So every morning I bend forward, turn on the main (can scratch my ankle at the same time) and when parking I turn it off.

Removing the front panel will also ensure it's turned off.

ANEWMAN ... I know what you mean about "Freecycle", there are some mightily ignorant people out there but please don't give up. For some it's the best way they have of getting things, this was brought home to me when i dropped off some babyclothes to a young mum .. leasts just say i am greatful for all i have .. not much but more than many.

SWEDISHSKODA ... thanks again for that, i think im on the right track now. A minor breakthrough but I DID IT all the same

Just got final quote for "Drive chain" replacement from the Skoda dealer ... £319 ! Parts are only £37.74 of that.

Had 2 recommendations now for the garage round the corner, so i am hoping to get the parts from Skoda and get them to fit them their lab change is only£35 p/h ... also do tappets (£40) and oil change (£??) at same time. Bit pished off as i missed a Haynes manual by 50p on Ebay yesterday but touch wood ... alls good.

T.

Timing chain kit £15.99 plus postage:

Skoda Felicia 1.3 Mpi Timing Chain Kit -BRAND NEW on eBay, also, Skoda, Car Parts, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 21-Jan-08 16:10:54 GMT)

(but not sure if you'll need some small parts that's not in the kit?)

ANEWMAN ... I know what you mean about "Freecycle", there are some mightily ignorant people out there but please don't give up. For some it's the best way they have of getting things, this was brought home to me when i dropped off some babyclothes to a young mum .. leasts just say i am greatful for all i have .. not much but more than many.

SWEDISHSKODA ... thanks again for that, i think im on the right track now. A minor breakthrough but I DID IT all the same

Just got final quote for "Drive chain" replacement from the Skoda dealer ... £319 ! Parts are only £37.74 of that.

Had 2 recommendations now for the garage round the corner, so i am hoping to get the parts from Skoda and get them to fit them their lab change is only£35 p/h ... also do tappets (£40) and oil change (£??) at same time. Bit pished off as i missed a Haynes manual by 50p on Ebay yesterday but touch wood ... alls good.

T.

if it aint broken dont fix it......f you want a felly manual FOC send me your address. its brand new. i dont need it as the motor is going. i will even pay the postage!!!

cant say fairer than that

96slxi ... are you absolutely sure !! Thats MORE than just generous. I would say yes please very much .. whatever condition it was in. Let me at least give you something towards it.

How would i send you my address without it going "public" ... lurv you guys but i have had my share of stalkers lmao Maybe i can Email it to you ?

I hear what you're saying about not fixing it until it's broken, i have found that prempting a problem before it becomes an issue is usually healthier, both for the car and the bank account, though.

T.

£40 for your tappets seems a bit steep! once you get that manual you'll be able to do them yourself though

what side of the country is bristol on?

96slxi ... are you absolutely sure !! Thats MORE than just generous. I would say yes please very much .. whatever condition it was in. Let me at least give you something towards it.

How would i send you my address without it going "public" ... lurv you guys but i have had my share of stalkers lmao Maybe i can Email it to you ?

Most forums i am on have a "PM" function for just this type of thing. Why not here?

Dont worry, i live miles away and am happily married with 2 kids.

You can email me at rickl @global-resourcing.com (remove space)

i will treat your details with the utmost respect.

i dont want anything for the book, postage is only a couple of quid and i would rather help someone out that needs it, than have it sitting there doing nothing when the car is sold next week.

Most forums i am on have a "PM" function for just this type of thing. Why not here?

next week.

Just click on the user name on the left hand panel and it brings up several options, send private message is second one down.

96slxi ... You are a gem ... info sent and a huge thanks.

surprising_skod ... Bristol is on the West side of the contry, South west to precise lol

Briskoda has a PM function! Just click the signature that you want to contact (e.g. "swedishskoda" to the left here in the post) and choose "send a private message to..."

At the top right of the page, the small box that says "welcome 96slxi" you can see wheteher you've got a message.

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