The document discusses replacing the factory-installed RD1 head unit in a Citroen vehicle with a new aftermarket head unit. It notes that the RD1 does not support MP3 playback, which is the main motivation for replacement. Compatibility with the steering wheel controls and separate display must be considered. An adapter is needed to interface a new head unit with these vehicle-specific components. The document also describes removing the old head unit and installing a new Sony head unit, while awaiting an adapter to integrate it properly into the dashboard space.
The document discusses replacing the factory-installed RD1 head unit in a Citroen vehicle with a new aftermarket head unit. It notes that the RD1 does not support MP3 playback, which is the main motivation for replacement. Compatibility with the steering wheel controls and separate display must be considered. An adapter is needed to interface a new head unit with these vehicle-specific components. The document also describes removing the old head unit and installing a new Sony head unit, while awaiting an adapter to integrate it properly into the dashboard space.
The document discusses replacing the factory-installed RD1 head unit in a Citroen vehicle with a new aftermarket head unit. It notes that the RD1 does not support MP3 playback, which is the main motivation for replacement. Compatibility with the steering wheel controls and separate display must be considered. An adapter is needed to interface a new head unit with these vehicle-specific components. The document also describes removing the old head unit and installing a new Sony head unit, while awaiting an adapter to integrate it properly into the dashboard space.
The document discusses replacing the factory-installed RD1 head unit in a Citroen vehicle with a new aftermarket head unit. It notes that the RD1 does not support MP3 playback, which is the main motivation for replacement. Compatibility with the steering wheel controls and separate display must be considered. An adapter is needed to interface a new head unit with these vehicle-specific components. The document also describes removing the old head unit and installing a new Sony head unit, while awaiting an adapter to integrate it properly into the dashboard space.
My car came with a pre-installed head unit radio/mono
CD RD1. In some countries (eg. Belgium,France), it is a Clarion radio, in other countries (eg. UK) it is a VDO/Philips radio. But, there's no big difference between those two. The radio itself has no display, so there's a display seperated from the radio. Most models come also with steering wheel remote controls. The main reason why I wanted to change the HU, is because I wanted to have the possibility to listen to MP3 cd's
Before buying another radio, you should consider some things :
The MP3 possibility / auto-changer
Citroen sells an a 6 disc-autochanger to be connected to the RD1 radio.
If you want an MP3-capable autochanger, Sony sells one, with the possibility to connect it to the RD1. Finally, one can always connect an autochanger using the 'good old' FM-modulator. For those who don't know this systel : the cabel coming from the cars antenna is connected to a little box (the FM modulator). From the modulator there's a cable to the antenna input of the cars radio. The autochanger is also connected to the box. So the cd signals are modulated to FM and arrive at the radio as FM signals. You tune the radio to a weak FM- station and that's were the modulator sends the CD-signals. Disadvantage of the system : you don't have 'real' CD quality because of the FM-modulation (although acceptable) and you need an extra remote controller to control the autochanger. Kenwood sells there 10 disc autochanger with FM modulator and MP3 capability.
The separated display / The steering wheel remote controls
The Xsara, C3, C5, C8 and Peugeot cars from 2001/2002 are equipped with the 'COM2000'- system to control the multiplexed wiring of the car. The multiplexing allows sending different signals on one pair of wires. For example : the steering wheel remote control with 7 functions only needs 2 wires. It's quite obvious these features won't work with another radio. Most of the car-hifi brands try to follow the automobile industry and offer interfaces to keep using the steering wheel remote controls and/or separated display. Because of the frequent changes in cars cabling systems, you have to be very cautious in this matter. Eg. the cabling of a Xsara phase II 2000 differs from the cabling of the Xsara phase II 2002. Furhtermore, most of the car-hifi vendors only offer interfaces for the steering wheel remote controls, not for the separated display (Alpine, Pioneer,...). I've found one company in the UK who's specialized in this kind of interfaces and they've build an interface for the remote controls and the display (only for Sony head units). For more information, see Site Connects2 In Belgium, this interface is officially distributed by Sony. No more information at the moment. I'm waiting for the interface
The radio gap in the dashboard
The front of the RD1 radio doesn't have the same dimensions as a standard radio. SO you have to put a fascia adaptor to put the new radio.
First, we have to remove the framework around the
radio and the display. It's this framework we discussed above (fascia adaptor) that you have to change when you want to put another radio. Try to move the framework with a little screwdriver. The frame is held in place by 6 clips : at the left and the right side, there are two times two clips and then there are two more. One at the bottom in the middle and one on top in the middle, right under the vents
Once the framework is removed, you can see that the
display and the radio are fixec with trox screws. So you'll need a special screwdriver (TROX TX20). You'll find this kind of screws at multiple places in the Xsara
Once the radio is removed, we can have a look at the
connectors coming from the card. A white ISO- connector for the speakers, a black ISO-connector for the power supply and the connection to the BSI for the remote controls and the display, an antenna connector and a little wire to feed the antenna amplifier. Rear view of the RD1 radio. At the left side you can see the antenna connection, in the middle there's the fixation for the dashboard, at the right side the other connectors.
A vue on the connectors on the rear-side of the radio.
The two ISO-connectors : speakers and power supply and above, the connector to connect a 'Citroen' CD changer
Here you can see the metal ISO frame I fitted. The original RD1 radio doesn't need an ISO frame, but if you want another radio, you have to put the frame (the frame comes with the radio). The cable that comes with the Sony radio must be connected to the white and black ISO connector on one side and to the radio on the other side. Don't mind the cable mess : this is because I did a partial speaker recabling and because of the extra connections which I had to make to install my hands-free cell-phone kit. Here is the SONY CDX-M850MP !
In expectation of the fascia adaptor, I put the original
framework, which is of course not a very nice view
