The Official radio thread!

[Roland]

We would need the steering wheel equipment and lead to the radio compartment

[Peter.N.]

Hi Roland

My steering wheel is from a late-ish 2.1 with the EPIC pump so I'm pretty sure it has everything, it certainly has the remote buttons and airbag. I bought it as a replacement for my 250,000 miler with a worn wheel but never got round to changing it. I will check it next time I go into the garage.

Peter

[Peter.N.]

Sorry missed your last post. I think even the SX had the remote radio controls, I believe it was only the basic 'D' models that didn't and there are very few of those about. If I remember correctly there should be a plug under the steering wheel to connect the lead, I don't know if there is a lead with this, I will have a look. Its normally coiled around the column behind the wheel.

Peter

[kingp]

Well if it helps anyone I can update this as my install progress's?

First part arrived today via Royal Mail! A Blaupunkt DAB 52 unit.
I've ordered a citroen to ISO adapter from the bay so will get that and for and see how it is.

Then I'll order the remote stalk adapter part. This is a lot more expensive and will be more expensive than the unit itself!

[Roland]

That would be great Peter thank you. Yes we would need the coil part underneath the wheel, we have it at the moment but it is a bit damaged and maybe the cause of why the controls are not working, we would also be interested in the lead that goes from this coil to the actual radio itself, if by chance you have this as well. Thanks very much, the steering wheel is about the only thing that is worn in the interior, everything else is perfect. It is quite strange that there weren't the controls when we bought the car, all the rest of the spec seems to be a VSX or just under Exclusive. I'll try to post a photo of our car on here, I presume that there is a part of the site for photos. Regards Roland

[xmexclusive]

As I remember there are some specific installation instructions for the coil part.
Get it wrong and moving the wheel can break the coil.

John

[Peter.N.]

I have looked the steering wheel out but unfortunately it doesn't have the ribbon cable coil with it, it does have an air bag though.

Peter

[kingp]

Well i have good news and bad news

Bad news is that i bought a citroen to ISO adapter cable and i didnt need it
Also looks like the steering wheel radio controls are on a 8 hole 4 cable connector so i'll have to see if an adapter can be made up for that by someone on ebay if they can do it.

Good news is that the radio plugged in thru the ISO connectors (I have a series 2 2.5td Estate) without issue and powered up and picked up FM without problem. It seems to pick up FM better than the old phillips unit so will see how it goes tomorrow on the way to work.
I'm looking at getting an internal windscreen dab aerial to stick in the corner of the screen so I can start using the DAB features of the radio I got. It doesn't adjust brightness with the car lights going on or off which doesn't bother me as its not super bright.

To help others the radio unit I got was a Blaupunkt Woodstock DAB 52. It does MP3's via CD or SD Card.
http://www.bluespot.co.uk/car-audio.asp ... -car-radio

I'm going to burn a CD and see what its like in the car tomorrow as i've read online that SD Cards can be a bit slow when first powered on and i cant be bothered with that.

There are newer units that i like the look of that would be more inkeeping with the style of the XM as they are all black or much more subdued but as i only paid £16 for the unit im a happy bunny

Next stage will be seeing if i can get an adapter for the steering controls and replace the ones that are there with some from Paul that work and all should be good

The unit really needs a cage to fit in the hole properly but i can do with it being a little loose as it will not pop out but will only go up and down in the slot about 5mm or so.

Further update to follow once i've let it settle in

[Roland]

I have looked the steering wheel out but unfortunately it doesn't have the ribbon cable coil with it, it does have an air bag though.

Peter

Hi Peter,
Thanks for your help, I think that we will probably try to find another complete wheel here in France. On another subject, have you ever changed the light bulb in a electric window door switch? It looks like a sealed unit, any clues?
Regards Roland

[Dieselman]

Once the switch is out of the door panel, you can remove the top to gain access to the innards.