Hi guys, I have been burning tracks to CD's and using the original stereo/CD player in my Polo for quite a while and it is less than convenient, so I've decided finally to grab an aftermarket head unit with USB and 3.5mm support.

I understand that I'll need some adapters, and some keys for removing the original stereo.

The keys:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/RW-93-European-Radio-Removel-Keys/dp/B004UAFCTA/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1390148516&sr=1-1&keywords=PC5-93+Removal+Keys

The adapters I am led to believe I need:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Female-Change-Harness-adaptor-PC2-36-4/dp/B0081S644E/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1390148571&sr=1-2&keywords=PC2-36-4+Male+to+Female+Iso+Harness
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Autoleads-PC5-90-Aerial-Adaptor-Separation/dp/B004TW7XL4/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1390148653&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=PC5-90+Aerial+Adaptor

However when looking at the rear of most headunits available online, the connectors on the back dont seem to match up with the harnass/adapters?

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/assets/ProductImages/Sony_CDX-GT56UI_rear.jpg

(not necessarily the stereo I plan on buying, just an image showing the connectors I see on the back of most head units)

Can anyone advise me further?

Thanks! :)

Edited 19 January, 201412 yr by acme15

Nobody?

Different stereo makes have different harnesses. I think some stereos come with a wiring harness.

I'm not recommending this one because I don't know if it would work but this is for an alpine head unit

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alpine-Car-Stereo-16-pin-ISO-Replacement-Radio-Wiring-Loom-Harness-Cable-Lead-/251360838330?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item3a864602ba

If you see one on ebay, message the seller and ask them if it would fit a polo.

If you're looking to buy a new stereo you could always go to halfords and get it fitted.

I could, but I'm not planning on spending a-lot and it would cost almost as much as the head unit to get it fitted. :P Still, that might be what happens...

It is this head unit I'm looking at because its cheap and has everything I need on it. I'll be using the stock fronts. (there are no rears)

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10151&storeId=10001&productId=1003245&langId=-1

http://www.sony.co.uk/product/icd-usb/dsx-a40ui/technical-specifications#tab

And I was looking at this on the bay...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Polo-Stereo-Fitting-Kit-Wiring-Adaptor-Surround/250833440954?_trksid=p5197.m2280&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D312%26meid%3D4257850909785058612%26pid%3D100068%26prg%3D1171%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D250833440954&_trksid=e100084.m1843

It looks to me like it comes with the adapter I need to plug it into the other adapter to plug it into the... Other plug. (from looking at the manufacturers documentation) Would be helpful if it said that on the product page(s)

I think I'll bite the bullet and order the stuff.

Someone do me a favour and make sure I remember to disconnect the battery.

As far as i know what's the point of disconnecting the battery for the stereo <-- someone correct me if i'm wrong
and what you will find is every aftermarket stereo has the standard iso harness socket, its either on the back of the stereo, or as that picture you sent shown at least kenwood seem to use there own on some of there stereos, if so they always come with with the harness that has the iso plug on the end.
i don't know the real reason some manufacturers use there own plug (normally with the higher price stereos) but you can add certain optional extras to some stereos so the manufacturer may wan't it ot be kept to there own brand of stereos or it may require additional pins that the standard iso socket does not contain.
Either way you should be fine with any aftermarket stereo you buy, at least if its brand new anyway.

Thanks a-lot, appreciated.

So I don't have to disconnect the battery to connect the stereo?

Edited 22 January, 201412 yr by acme15

Well i've never done it, don't really see how it affects anything.
Yes if you was removing an airbag and so on, but yeah.
Buy that kit on ebay and you are basically ready to go, the permanent live and ignition live tend to have bullet connectors so you can easily switch them around, if not its as simple as cutting both cables and joining them to the opposites.

the adapter that came with the kit only serves the purpose of swapping those two wires over.

All done and dusted. At 1AM in the dark, outside in the rain as it so happens.

Disconnected the battery just to be on the safe side.

Thanks all.

Edited 25 January, 201412 yr by acme15