I have an Alpine CHM-S620 6-disc changer to replace the OEM Matsush*ta (Panasonic?) CX-CV1820LH cd changer in my VW. As the connectors are different I am told that I need a rather expensive replacement wiring harness as the adapter plugs of each unit do not match.
I apparently also need to run the replacement harness from the boot/trunk to the head unit and I don't know how. I don't even know how to remove the head unit!
Does anybody know the wiring diagrams (or colors) for each of these changers, thus enabling me to simply hard wire the unit in the boot/trunk?
Thanks.
i'd be shocked if you could just plug the Alpine into the same head unit that previously controlled the Panasonic and have it work..... there are protocol adapters available, but they are using brand to brand Pana radio to aftermarket pana changer etc.
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Kevin Gerry
Certified Electronics Technician
MECP First Class Installer
Owner/Installer
Classic Car Audio
since 1979
I was a little surprised but I was told by the VW dealer (who apparently phoned the people that do their audio repairs) that the Alpine would work, I simply need the adapter cable. It's the hassle of having to run a new cable that's the annoying thing.
That said, the same audio dealers said that most CD Changers would work with the correct lead (Sony and Kenwood were quoted, the head unit is a VW-branded Gamma 2) but no matter which I choose I will need an adapter lead apparently, presumably just because the plug is different that seperates the changer from the harness in the rear of the car.
It just so happens that the Alpine is being sold by my mate for around £40 and I don't want to pay a lot - the car is 4 years old but the current (broken) CD changer is only 15 months old, so presumably the OEM Pana units are not up to much if this is the second one that has broken down - I've personally only had the car 6 months.