CD player options.

[donkeyotty]

Ok. What is the changeover date that determines early or late model?

CD player placement wise, battery under bonnet or battery in boot.

[abercanadian]

otherwise, post-1994 - (X300 changers) you don't want one of those.

Larry

[naki_k]

Mike, if you have the original head unit on your 89-90 model, these do not have a factory CD Changer input.
I dare say someone out there might know a way to modify something to take one, but it won’t be straight forward?
Or do you already have an aftermarket head unit?

Post 90 models have the Alpine head unit that accepts the changer.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
If someone fitted a changer into your car, they were clearly hopeful at finding a way to rig it up, but fruitless attempt?

C451307D-6E72-4055-B0D1-EF786E5AEF74.png (2.07 MiB) Not viewed yet

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[mikegamble]

This is my head unit and as you say, there didn’t seem to be an obvious way to control a CD player.
I take it need to source a later head unit that will be compatible with an auto changer?
Whatever I fit, I want it to be original!

[abercanadian]

Don't think the early cars (non-CD equipped) had the big wiring control harness to the boot fitted, so that's another thing to keep in mind if you swap head units ..

Larry

[mikegamble]

Ok. On the later cars, is the audio loom separate from the main loom or, integrated?
I don’t mind the faff of removing interior etc to route it through but, if it’s part of the main loom, that does make it trickier.

[abercanadian]

I believe it is integrated, but so what. If you are determined to fit a trunk mounted CD player all you're going to need are the DIN plugs and some wire, right?

Larry

[naki_k]

Some pics for you Mike.

86-90 models .

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91-92 models.

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Your only way to convert your car to use a CD changer would be cutting plugs off and soldering wires, after studying a wiring diagram to work out which wire does what.
Not a job I would want to do.
I am not a fan of cutting up original wiring looms.

[mikegamble]

Ok. So if I’m being realistic, the easiest thing to do is buy the aftermarket standard stereo fascia and then fit a standard unit?
Also, I could just run the required CD auto changer cable and have a changer in the boot?

[naki_k]

Before deciding how to proceed, you need to find a wiring diagram for this model year, showing what each wire colour does.
I don’t like the idea of cutting off plugs from the main loom, but if you are determined to have a CD player, I fear that’s the only option. Then it’s deciding whether to go aftermarket or splicing the genuine head unit in.
Personally I would rather try to rig up a Bluetooth FM transmitter of some kind and leave the wiring intact.

Something like this?

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2323187064