I'm looking to replace the factory-fitted CD player in my 2009 1.1 ECO Panda with an aftermarket unit so I can have USB/Bluetooth/Aux, but I've heard some scare stories about how changing the radio can screw up the electrics and cause the battery to run flat even when everything is switched off.

This is my first car, and as you can probably tell I've not got a scooby about this sort of thing. Is it true that fitting a new CD player will mess up the electrics? I'd be planning to get Halfords or a specialist to fit it so I would have expected it to be OK, but I wanted to get some advice before spending my money. Hope you guys can help.

Thanks.

If you are not familiar with car electrics then certainly getting a professional to fit a new stereo is the right way to go. There should be no issues with a correctly fitted aftermarket head unit. Nearly all stereos now fit with standard ISO wiring harnesses or adapters so there should be no need to splice into a loom, which is often what used to cause “issues” with car electrics. With regards to batteries going flat; an after market head unit will often use a permanent live feed to store things like settings and radio stations, however this is a very small draw on a battery in good condition, so shouldn't be a problem.

Go for a decent branded unit from a reputable supplier/fitter and you should be fine. They will be able to make sure any trim adapters fit correctly as some can need a bit of modification to get a perfect fit and will give you assurance and backup if there is a problem.

Although the panda uses plugs that are ISO standard

Most aftermarket radios will not be plug and play

the panda doesn’t use a switched live feed

Instead the radios on and off is controlled over the canbus network

You can either add a little canbus converter or modify the wiring to add a switched live feed

Using Halfords is going to depend on the staff. Seeing one branch refuse to change a I10 headlight bulb and another broke a load of clips I suspect some staff have very little training.

If you wondering the i10 headlight bulb isn’t difficult if you lower the bumper so it can pull forward.