Changing the stereo

[Mack]

I bought a tasty CD/radio off e-bay. Can anyone offer advice re. removing original tape/radio and fitting new one?

PS my rear speakers have never worked, but I am assuming wiring will be there.

[Muzorewa]

If it's the original Mazda unit you'll need one of these to connect it up with.

Physically fitting it is easy, flirt the side trims off your old unit and you can prod a couple of screwdrivers down the holes to release it. Then crimp the new holder into place. Easy-peasy.

If you have a full conversion, the rear speakers may have been removed as part of the 'conversion'. Wiring should be there.

[haydn callow]

Then fit a wonderful BMW clock with matching lighting to fill the hole you have left.
See below

[jaylee]

The wiring for the rear speakers will be there.
Should be a two wire white block connector thing running off the loom that goes to the back.
I dare say its just a case of fitting speakers, mine had none in the back.

The real hassle is removing the rear panel speaker grills, they're riveted on in four places...
I managed to remove them by getting my arm behind the panel & slicing the plastic rivet heads off, then i could just snap the grill back over the speaker!

In hindsight it might have been easier to remove the rear trim...

[Jaime&Kirk]

Kirk used 4 of my metal kitchen scewers to remove the old radio

[roosteruk]

Then fit a wonderful BMW clock with matching lighting to fill the hole you have left.
See below

As long as his tasty radio from Ebay is not a double din size....

[Mack]

Link to clocks?

[Muzorewa]

Click the enginesaver link and it's there

[lev8]

Whilst you have the radio out and tools in hand you might find this change helpful

I change radio more often than air and find the radio is a bit far away, also since I need a new radio/stereo I might as well put in one of those CD-less, USB, bluetooth stereos. For the hands free phone feature I would like the radio (mic) closer to the driver. Everything swaps/works OK except you need to get a slightly longer air direction cable, unfortunately Mazda used a different type of cable for this control, otherwise it would be a five minute job. On the plus side the required cable can be easily made from any suitable length of control cable.

[missfixit70]

God to see the manual heater control unit can be moved too



I swapped my digital control unit a while ago - not quite a 5 minute job, manipulating the looms into the right positions wasn't the easiest (few skinned knuckles ), but it seemed like a good idea at the time. Like you say Lev8. I fiddle with the stereo more than the a/c.

[Mike Jill and Emily]

Lev8

What a star why didn't I think of that

Answers on a postcard or sealed envelope please

Guess what I'm doing this Sunday - might even get a new radio too

[haydn callow]

Kirsty.....whats that in your ciggy socket where your Mk2 alarm is supposed to live ??? If it's not a multiple adapter I will want to know what you are up to.

[jaylee]

I like that!
It don't look out of place neither.

I've got a more labour saving option...

...I was blessed with the arms of a Gibbon, the only knuckle scraping is on the floor!

[missfixit70]

Kirsty.....whats that in your ciggy socket where your Mk2 alarm is supposed to live ??? If it's not a multiple adapter I will want to know what you are up to.

Don't worry Haydn, it's a 3 way adapter, Mark 2 lives quite happily in the crap collecting front cubby hole at the moment Mind that must have been taken ages ago as the BMW clock isn't there

[Mack]

You are all too clever for me. I too come from a long line of tree hangers and so have no problem reaching accross. I really only listen to about 3 channels, but since the current radio doesn't offer a good reception for two of them, then the replacement, with a port for my MP3, was a must. I will miss some of my old tapes though.....