OK now the S1 is MOT's and driveable again (new cam tensioner) I am wondering how to get some sounds in there cheap,. Clarion radio gave up last winter, and its been sitting in the living room waiting for me to try and fi it for too long now. Would like to fix it sometime (its got LW!) but realisically I need to get something in there soonish.

So if I get a cheapish head unit what adapter cables do I need. It looks like I need one for the control stalk (not essential) and one to convert the speakers to standard DIN plug (essential). Am I on the right track? Any other gothcas or pitfalls? Anyone recommend particular products (adaptor cables)?

regards

I have a Kenwood radio/cd in mine which I bought about three years ago. At the time you could get a wiring/steering wheel adaptor off the internet, they also did some for Pioneer radios. Whether they are still available on not I dont know. The only thing I can suggest is doing a search on the net.

Peter.N.

Thanks Peter, I have done a search and come up with options from under a tenner to almost 50 quid.

Don't you have a S2 not an S1 anyway?

regards

There was a controls adaptor on ebay this morning...

Here it is
This is for Sony units. There seem to be 2 leads in the picture. The bigger one is what I have in my Mk2 and it works brilliantly. Is the other a converter from the Mk1 wiring to the Mk2 in order to plug it into a Mk1?

Even if the bidding gets out of control, it will tell you what to search for on Google.

That was useful! and yes, mine is a Mk2 but they were available for both. I know someone else who would like that, but I will restrain myself.

Peter.N.

Yup I spotted the Sony adapter just browsing now. Maybe I will bid, will this work with non-Sony had units, I thought they all had ISO standard connectors now?

My currenr understanding is that Mk1 and Mk2 both need and adaptor cable for the steering wheel controls (is it the SAME adaptor for Mk1 and Mk2, maybe not as there are more controls on the Mk2). Alo, the Mk1 1 requires and adaptor cable for the speakers power etc wheres the Mk2 has ISO standard connectors for this.

Reassurances or corrections welcome.

I am currently slightly temppted by this head unit as it has LW, and they do adaptor cables, but the steering controls adaptor is over 30 quid, which is gonna make it over a 100 for the lot, will hang on and see what happens on ebay over the next few days.

http://www.justkenwood.co.uk/stock01/kdc_w4534.asp

This page also is quite informative

http://www.justkenwood.co.uk/install/show_model.asp?id=47

Implies different controls adaptor is required for S1.

Maybe this info will be helpful to someone in the future.

My understanding is that they will only work wth the specified radio's. Something to do with the encoding. Having been a TV engineer for over 50 years I ought o be able to explain more fully, but I am afraid modern electronics have past me by. I am sure there is someone on here with a younger brain that can.

Peter.N.

I have always assumed that the different makes have a different connector for the steering controls. It is not part of the ISO block anyway. The Sony's have a 3.5mm jack plug (more than the normal 3 channels for an audio one, but can't remember how many there are on there).

I think the Mk1 and Mk2 have different connectors from the controls. The Mk2 is a long thin one with 6 or 8 or so wires in a single row. I have a feeling the Mk1 may be round but I am not sure. Someone will correct me if I am wrong I hope.

so there is no ISO standard for the remote controls? Seems a bit silly to me? Anyone else got any input before I carry on bidding on useless cables?

regards

Have you looked at Pixmania? Loads of ice there.

Bit of a late entry here, but i have a Sony head unit which does not connect with my steering wheel controls, but it has a remote control with it???? for when your driving from the boot i suppose , But i digress, i was told by someone (halfords i think) ,and bearing in mind this could be a load of rubbish, that i had to buy a head unit that would be compatible with the steering control functions, and connect via an adapter cable, and at the time i was told that it had to be a kenwood head unit.
If you have managed to track a suitable head unit down could you let me know how you get on, and if not i have an original clarion radio cassette if your interested

Regards Dean