I've decided to upgrade the Headunit in my Bravo to a Pioneer unit with Sat-Nav/Bluetooth/Ipod connectivity. I don't have Blue & Me or steering wheel controls so please no lectures on how these won't work

Anyway. The problem is my headunit is stuck tight. My local dealer tried to remove the headunit for me a few months back with the removal keys but failed and told me it was likely the retaining springs had bent behind the unit. I asked them to sort it then as they had obviously done it and they told me it wasn't their problem as they were doing it as a favour to me and not as a repair etc. Tried a few other dealers and they told me as it wasn't them who damamged the headunit there was nothing the could do about it either :bang:

I decided to leave it as it wasn't worth the hassle. Now having decided to replace the headunit I need advice on how to get the exisitng headunit out with minimalist damage/hassle?

just had a sit in my motor and i cannot see how the bloody thing comes out!

If the stilo one was anything to go by, nothing will have broke making it stick, its just a very, very tight and very very awkward fit- remember they dont put this in to be easily removed.

Some headunits are also bolted at the rear ( mkI corsa is) to provide stability

Big Black Stilo said:

just had a sit in my motor and i cannot see how the bloody thing comes out!

If the stilo one was anything to go by, nothing will have broke making it stick, its just a very, very tight and very very awkward fit- remember they dont put this in to be easily removed.

Some headunits are also bolted at the rear ( mkI corsa is) to provide stability

Click to expand...

There are two slots in the headunit that the keys go into. It should just slide out once the keys inserted. Mine only comes out about 2-3 inch and then won't come out any further.

The dealers themselves have said it's likely to be bent springs at the rear! but the usual. Not our problem etc etc :bang:

if you didn't buy the pioneer HU yet, go get it from a shop that does the installation for free or for cheap.

they'll know what to do.

Tad-bravo said:

if you didn't buy the pioneer HU yet, go get it from a shop that does the installation for free or for cheap.

they'll know what to do.

Click to expand...

idea!

Though I had hoped to buy it on Ebay as I can pick it up cheaper

May be worth paying a little extra though to get the old one out

this is not the kind of device you want to buy cheap on ebay anyway, a lot of these touchscreen HU's can be faulty so you better get it from a place where you'll have a real warranty on both hardware and installation.

Hi,

Once you remove the original headunit can you post some pictures of the connectors in the back?

Thanks in advance

Use the thanks button

Tad-bravo said:

Use the thanks button

Click to expand...

THANKS INDEED!!! (i did use the button as well )

Ok. i went through the forum in the pictures that Tad-Bravo provided (bravo198.it) and came up with this lead:

http://cgi.ebay.it/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110299631910&ih=001&category=86532&_trksid=p3286.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DK%252BD%26otn%3D3%26ps%3D5

i went on and ordered one alonf with the keys to remove the headunit.. anyone tried something similar?

if i have the guts to rip the headunit of the beatifull dashboard i will let you know how it performs...


Cheers!

P.S: (god knows how i didn't kill myself trying to understand the translation from the online translation pages....) :

BRAV-OH!! said:

There are two slots in the headunit that the keys go into. It should just slide out once the keys inserted. Mine only comes out about 2-3 inch and then won't come out any further.

The dealers themselves have said it's likely to be bent springs at the rear! but the usual. Not our problem etc etc :bang:

Click to expand...

If the correct removal keys are used it will come out in 2 seconds, if the wrong ones are used (even though they appear to fit) they will bend the retaining springs (allowing the unit to only come out 2-3 inches!) making removal very difficult. There are no springs at the rear.

can you tell whether these will do?:

http://cgi.ebay.it/Radio-keys-chiavi-autoradio-chiavette-FIAT-BRAVO-2007_W0QQitemZ120316308877QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item120316308877&_trkparms=72%3A1025|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14#ebayphotohosting

thanks

They look very much like them, obviously without physically comparing them its hard to tell but if I had to 'stick my neck out' I would say yes.

There was a long post on this some time ago.

I DID IT! I got it to work using the cable i mentioned above! Now i can set the radio to AUX and i am able to listen to my mp3 player using the 3.5mm jack!!!

The unit came out withoun any problem and the whole thing took me about 2 minutes. now i am trying to find a place for the jack so that it doesn't hang out of the dashboard. let me know if you have any ideas.


Cheers!!

the first ebay link is dead, do you have pics of the cable?

sonqquest said:

I DID IT! I got it to work using the cable i mentioned above! Now i can set the radio to AUX and i am able to listen to my mp3 player using the 3.5mm jack!!!

The unit came out withoun any problem and the whole thing took me about 2 minutes. now i am trying to find a place for the jack so that it doesn't hang out of the dashboard. let me know if you have any ideas.


Cheers!!

Click to expand...

I'd be looking to fit a 3.5mm socket somewhere and connect your MP3 player with a male-male wire. Preferably to somewhere where you can mount or store the generic mp3 player while you're driving.

Only problem is that behind the radio you only have access to the storage area in front of the co drivers feet. I dont feel very confidetn drillin holes on the dashboard.. I was hoping taking out one of the buttons that are covered (not used) such as the front parking sensors but it seems quite difficult. I have a gps which i can mount on top of the center vents so i would like to have the socket somewhere close.. any way... will post back if i find a good solution...

cheers

do you have a pic of the cable?

Here You go....

Do you have any technical details? manufacturer, part number etc.