147 Radio / CD Deck update ?

[tony8028]

hey brad, have they posted you the kit?

It took less than a week.

Cool. Is it a self install or do you need a pro?

[tony8028]

any idea whether these will work with a 2003 147?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150356879078&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:MOTORS:1123

[Brad M]

Cool. Is it a self install or do you need a pro?

It looks to be a self install, but until I pull my finger out that's just a theory.

[Craig_m67]

Turning the CD input on the back of the 147 and facelift 156 head unit into an Aux input is pretty straight forward. There will be a blue blanking plug fitted to your HU (without metal pins). I simply jammed heavy gauge speaker wire into mine and gaffa taped that to a cut off iPhone headphones jack to check if it would work. You also need to short two of the pins in the same blue plug to fool the unit that it's connected to the CD stacker. There's a thread on alfaforums uk about it. Or if you want i can drag out mine and tell you which pins.

This makes the CD in the car inoperative (stacker is connected)
You can't control the iPod/MP3.... obviously
I gave up using mine as there was no handy control of the iPod (above)
The blaupunkt cable in your link will not control the iPod, there was an official alfa/Denison(I think) cable available with limited control.

I'm tempted to buy the marine version of the Alpine IDX-??? It's matching silver, round dials and no doubt tons better than the stock HU.

[Craig C]

any idea whether these will work with a 2003 147?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150356879078&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:MOTORS:1123

I tried it for a while and whilst it worked it jammed up quite often and required the fuse to be pulled out to reboot the head unit.  In the end I bought  an aftermarket Blaupunkt head unit to match the connector and it has worked perfectly ever since.

[tony8028]

I am thinking a non-standard deck that already has all the iPod stuff...

Could this still be controlled from my steering wheel?

Any recommendations ?

[wankski]

yes, it's possible but costs...

any good HU will work (i.e. alpine), but unless u wanna cut and solder, i suggest u get the alpine to alfa harness (around 30quid), if you want the steering controls to work u gotta get the adaptor + harness to work on an aftermarket system (around another 40quid)

so gets pretty expensive real quick for just a h/u change... eg, alpine cde-102 which includes ipod cable + associated harnesses not including fascia plates etc you may need, looking at around $330 H/U + $120 in harnesses...

u can get the harnesses from: http://www.nexxia.co.uk/product.asp?product_code=CTSAR001&category=Steering%20Control%20Adaptors%20Connects2&section=Car%20Audio

[shiny_car]

Delayed reply, sorry guys.

There are iPod interfaces, including Alfa's own OE version. Unfortunately, some of these depend upon the firmware in the headunit. I don't know exactly which versions (of firmware) work, but the newer versions (in newer cars of course) are not compatible with some of the adaptors. So if you buy online, it can be hit and miss, so be careful to ensure you can obtain a full refund if it doesn't work.

However, there are various adaptors that should definitely work, but will cost more. These include Dension Gateway adaptors, and products like LoudLink. Connects2 also offer some iPod adaptors that can work.

Stinger-Australia (Stinger is a major US car audio brand of accessories; Stinger-AU also deal with non-Stinger products) distribute Dension and Connects2. Stinger products are sold through virtually all decent car audio stores. You may wish to contact them (Lockie and Trav) for advice on what should suit. You can also see their website:
http://www.stingeraustralia.com.au/home.php

[Sheldon McIntosh]

We need a shiny_car signal we can shine in the sky for when we have an audio question, so you get here a bit quicker.

Shiny, on an unrelated note, can you bring your 155 to Spettacolo this year?  We're trying to get one of every model we can, and there aren't many 155s around, and definitely none as nice as yours.

[shiny_car]

I'll be there, but unsure with which car(s). I was planning on bringing the GT, but I'm keen to bring the 155 too. If I can find a second driver (eg: convince my wife!) then I'll have both.

Thanks for the personal 'invite', so I hope to oblige!

[Brad M]

Cool. Is it a self install or do you need a pro?

Just pulled my finger out, and it took 5 minutes.
- 30 seconds to insert the wire jiggers
- 30 seconds to plug the fitting into back of the deck (replacing the existing blank)
- 30 seconds to plug the cable (the one already connected to the deck) and the iPod cable into the silver box
- 3 minutes to get the iPod cable to pop out the passenger side bottom of the dash and place the silver box into the dash cavity 
- 30 seconds to re-insert the deck

I had bought the wire jiggers to extract the deck when I bought the cable and it was well worth it.

[tony8028]

Cool. Is it a self install or do you need a pro?

Just pulled my finger out, and it took 5 minutes.

Do you have the simple cord that simplt takes the audio feed or do you have the full kit that charges the iPod as well?

How do you activate the aux input on the deck? I have to hit the SRC button twice, but it takes a few goes..

[Brad M]

Charges the phone as well.

I just pressed the SRC button until CD Changer appeared, had no issue with turning it off then not being able to get it again.

[tony8028]

Charges the phone as well.

I just pressed the SRC button until CD Changer appeared, had no issue with turning it off then not being able to get it again.

Where did you buy the unit from ? local or o/s ?