MG-Rover.org Forums banner

How to fit a cd changer to your Harmony equipped ZT or 75

21K views 15 replies 9 participants last post by  astrantia 
#1 ·
OK. In response to popular request I have drafted the instructions below. Let me know of any obvious errors or omissions and I'll sort them. I have attached a couple of pics at the base.

Regards

Mike :)

Fitting a CD Changer to 75/ZT equipped with Harmony head unit


This post sets out all the steps required to fit an OEM cd changer to an original 75/ZT equipped with a Harmony head unit where the changer lead is not pre fitted.

Warning-this is the procedure that I used on my 75 and is based upon the ICE socket in the main car loom being found at the base of the console behind the ashtray unit. I am aware that depending on build date some cars do not have the socket in this place but hidden away in the depths of the bulkhead. If this is the case on your car then rather than completely removing the original hu wiring loom you will instead just attach the new loom to the existing one. This could also be done as a way of avoiding the work to strip the centre console.

(Note when using these procedures to fit a changer to a Symphony unit where no changer extension is already present then you must remove all the original hu loom and the new lead is a different part number).

Ingredients:

1 of Alpine cd changer unit-any of the following MGR part numbers:

XQE 100430
XQE 105560
VUB 102140
VUB 105400

1 of MGR wiring loom part number:

VUL 100310

1 set of Torx bolts

1. old credit card

1 Rover 75 or MG ZT


Recipe

remove your head unit as per Rich's excellent instructions here http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t=45098

1. using a thin plastic card or similar gently push behind the
clmate control fascia edge all the way around and remove the black plastic face

2. using the same card and approach remove the 'plastic' wood facia
from the switch bank below the climate control.

3. undo the 4 screws holding the climate unit in place-withdraw the
unit and remove the three wiring plugs from
the rear. Store the unit safe

4. at each end of the switch bank below you will see a push in plastic
clip-push these outboard (iirc) and the switch bank will come
free-disconnect the multi plugs from the switch housing, remove and
store the unit safe.

5. at each top side of the ashtray unit behind the fascia there is a
(push in) clip. Push these in and remove the unit slightly.

6. disconnect the multi plug and lucar plug from the rear of the
ashtray (these feed the lamp and the lighter-and are fiddly to get out
and more so to replace!)

7. The two leads to the lighter might also be attached via a clip to
the rear of the ashtray unit. The clip slides on and off the rear and
is quite tight and inaccessible.

8, The whole ashtray unit then comes out. If you are then tempted to
remove the cup holders) be very careful. They are held in by a thin
plastic clip on one front lower edge and if the clip is not freed
before releasing then it will snap very easily.

9. You should now see the BMW type socket at the base of the console that the other end of the Harmony unit lead plugs into. Unplug the lead and remove it completely.

10. Plug in the new lead and run it up to the top of the console and secure it so it cannot fall back down.

Installing your changer into the glovebox

1. Open the glovebox lid and then use the press in plastic catch on each
hinge to allow you to drop the lid fully down).

2. Undo the 7 torx screws at the front of the glove box (four can be
found top of inside front edge of the glove box and three under the
front of the fabric mat on the inside base of the glovebox-just peel
the front of the fabric off).

3. Then literally pull the glove box forward out of the dash, release the
glovebox lamp power feed plug and wiring on the left hand side. You
can then remove the glovebox to fit the changer into it in a warm and
comfortable environment :)

4. The glovebox has four holes in its base that accept the changer
mountings and securing nuts and another square opening that the power
and signal lead from the hu goes through. Bring the changer lead from the hu
down to the glovebox area (from the right as you look at
the front of the glovebox opening). This may be a tight squeeze but it will go through.

Plug all in and test that it works before refitting!!

Refitting
Reverse the procedures to refit all to the console and to refit the glovebox.
Note
It's important when re fitting the ashtray unit to ensure that the two plastic protrusions on the base of the unit are put inside the facia when replacing as otherwise you
can spend 30 minutes wondering why on earth it wont go back-I did lol


et voila.

The same procedure applies for the Symphony except you need a different lead part number VUL100330

pics below

1. the stripped console-
2. the glovebox area after removal with the new changer lead coming out from bottom right. Yuo can see the holes for the torx bolts, four on top and three below.



 
See less See more
2
#2 ·
MikeM said:
remove your head unit as per Rich's excellent instructions here http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t=45098
Cheers :)

And:

2. Undo the 7 torx screws at the front of the glove box (four can be
found top of inside front edge of the glove box and three under the
front of the fabric mat on the inside base of the glovebox-just peel
the front of the fabric off).
So THAT'S how it comes out!!!

You've no idea how long I've spent trying to work that one out :)

Spot on guide there Mike, nice one!
 
#4 ·
Ken75 said:
Mike

Is that *** ash on the first picture?

if it is ................ in R40? tut tut
..............................it's the last remnants of the 40 I smoked after taking it up following two hours of getting nowhere :lol:

I can't recall what it is, unless it's the remnants of the last line of coke the day before (you get a better class of druggy in a 75 you know ;) )
 
#7 ·
hi mike have now discovered I have the loom with no cd changer connection and it disappears of into infinity looks nothing like yours. when you say if this is the case connect old one to the new one I am to understand that the connector on the new lead will plug into the end that goes to the HU on the old lead and that would mean that I have no cutting or splicing to do. I really hope this is the case as I nearly gave up and went to halfords today
 
#8 ·
smokie999 said:
hi mike have now discovered I have the loom with no cd changer connection and it disappears of into infinity looks nothing like yours. when you say if this is the case connect old one to the new one I am to understand that the connector on the new lead will plug into the end that goes to the HU on the old lead and that would mean that I have no cutting or splicing to do. I really hope this is the case as I nearly gave up and went to halfords today
Yes you can connect the new lead straight to the original. You will need to work hard to find space behind and below the head unit to fit the assembled plug/socket but it will go.

Good luck

Mike
 
#9 ·
Sorry if this is a dim question!
I have a 2002 '52' Club with Harmony unit.
I would like to fit a CD changer and a Symphony unit.

I have previously been given advice here that such a modification would be plug and play as the wiring loom supports a CD changer, and its just a matter of finding the connector behind the glove box. The Symphony merely fits where the Harmony comes out of, and wires in the same. Sounded easy.

This excellent thread seems to state that the Symphony may need a new loom, and there may not be wiring in place to support a CD changer. I find this very daunting as I have zero knowledge of wiring or ICE. Was there a cut off date in production where the wiring for CD changers was omitted?

Basically, HELP!!!!
 
#10 ·
doublekite said:
Sorry if this is a dim question!
I have a 2002 '52' Club with Harmony unit.
I would like to fit a CD changer and a Symphony unit.

I have previously been given advice here that such a modification would be plug and play as the wiring loom supports a CD changer, and its just a matter of finding the connector behind the glove box. The Symphony merely fits where the Harmony comes out of, and wires in the same. Sounded easy.

This excellent thread seems to state that the Symphony may need a new loom, and there may not be wiring in place to support a CD changer. I find this very daunting as I have zero knowledge of wiring or ICE. Was there a cut off date in production where the wiring for CD changers was omitted?

Basically, HELP!!!!
try these sites they helped me along with advice from mike and richk. I now think i will manage to do it ,I am like you new to all this but the threads they have done are spot on .I have taken out the head checked the wiring and now thanks to them sure i can finish the job.the sites are addacdchanger.co.uk and the other one is connects2.com
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top