As lovely as my zed sounds, not having a stereo installed is beginning to irritate me. I’ve ordered the usual bits and bobs and I’ve been looking into how to install the stereo, but I still have a few questions…

 

 

Firstly, can I install a microphone inside the reading light facing out of the vent? This looks like the perfect place for hiding a mic, but I’m curious as to why there’s a vent (see picture) and if I’ll be blocking a sensor, or something else I shouldn’t be messing with.

 

 

Secondly, I removed the rear speaker covers yesterday to see what size the factory speakers are. Turns out they’ve been removed and I don’t have any speakers there! Looking at the connector (see picture) has made me wonder if the speakers are amped separately or if it’s going to be particularly troublesome to install using the car wiring. I can just cut off the connector and put the usual spade terminals in its place? Can anyone shed some light on this?

 

 

Finally, as well as removing the head unit, one of the previous owners has also removed the brackets used to attach the head unit to the dash. I’ve ordered a set of brackets on eBay, however as they were not pictured, it’s unlikely they’ll include the screws. Does anyone know what size screws/bolts I’ll need to attach the head unit to the brackets, and then the brackets to the car?

 

 

Any help would be really appreciated.

 

Thanks.

If you have the automatic climate control I think there's a temperature sensor in that overhead part.

There is a little fan-thing inside the vent in the interior light housing.

 

I'm still not 100% sure what purpose it serves, but when they go bad and get noisy, people do remove the fan! As to whether you could mount a microphone in there, you could, if you removed the little fan. However (and assuming it's for a hands free telephone system), I would question how effective its operation would be. I mounted my Bluetooth mike on the A-pillar; not only was it easier to run the wire up the pillar, but it's in a good spot to function efficiently!

 

As for speakers, rear stock size is 6x4. UK spec cars have a small amp for the rear speakers - but the connections are still normal spade-type (albeit combined in a single plug). There was a Bose upgrade, found on J-spec cars; perhaps yours had that....?

It's a cabin temp sensor Richard. The fan draws cabin air across it so the climate control can modulate the correct temp. If the fan fails, airflow across the temp sensor decreases causing the probe to operate inefficiently and normally causes bizarre temperatures from the climate control.

 

I installed a mic in the centre of the mirror base trim on mine and it looks pretty subtle (The trim piece that pops off to undo the mounting screws for the rear view mirror).

Thanks for all the input.

 

Going to stay clear of the cabin temp sensor, I don't want to mess with that if i don't have to! I didn't think there was much room around the top of the A pillar to mount a mic without bashing it with the sun visor every time i move it. Think the best thing to do is to get on with it and see what works. I may go with Joely P's suggestion and look at the mirror base trim.

 

As for the rear speakers, decided i'm just going to cut the connector off and hope for the best. Worst case scenario, i have to run new speaker wires to the back of my head unit...

 

Finally with the screws, i'll just buy an assorted pack and see what fits.

Are your rear speaker brackets metal ones with oval shaped speaker mounting holes?

Yes, metal brackets with oval speaker holes.

 

Going by what I've read they're 4 X 6 speakers.

Yes they are (were) stock 6x4s. You will have had a OEM rear amp which powered the rear speakers. The OEM head unit

in this setup unit had built in front channel amps and line level outputs to the rear amp. I've attached the wiring diagram

for you so you can see what is going on and trace the wires. Your radio brackets should look like this:

 

 

If you don't get the little screws in the photo with your eBay brackets then I have a set of four you can have which fit the

radio and cassette unit/cubby hole to the brackets. The brackets are fitted to the car with standard self tapping 4mm screws

into the captive nuts which should still be in the dash.

 

EL-93.pdf

Thanks Andrew,

 

I knew there were several different set-ups (including Bose). I was having a hard time trying to figure out exactly what i have :headvswal:

 

I contacted the seller and they claim that the brackets include the 4 screws needed to attach the stereo. I should have some 4mm screws in the pack i just ordered :biggrin: