Replacing the VE "head unit"

[blasto]

I know I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but I have spent many hours here searching and forum trawling (this forum alone) and elsewhere (lots of hours) trying to find out the answer to this question.

I have a MY10 SV6 Sportwagon, I find the fact that the radio doesn't play MP3s totally ridiculous. Though it's probably my fault for not working this out before I bought it. I don't want an ipod/whatever rolling around the place, I just want to have a CD/USB stick with MP3 files I can play in my 2010 car and pretend it's 2010, just like on the stereo I bought for my last car some TEN years ago...

So, what I have been trying to find for weeks, is an aftermarket unit to replace the factory unit. The ultimate solution would be fully integrated with the steering controls, and have bluetooth that works in the car. I have contacted a few installers who say "all you can replace in the VE is the speakers". I know there must be someone just as pi$$ed off as me with a stereo ten years+ behind its time in a brand new car. I know the HVAC controls are ingeniously integrated with the stereo, making it's removal a custom situation, but as I said before the stereo can't just be a joke to me alone.

Somebody... Anybody??? I'm tearing my hair out here, this car's seriously starting to look like a trade-in to me...

[wikky]

So, what I have been trying to find for weeks, is an aftermarket unit to replace the factory unit.

Weeks? A couple of minutes of a Google search will give you the answer. Simple answer is no, there's no simple aftermarket stereo swap for the VE. There's been a few people do pretty hefty mods and integrate an ipad and run stereo etc through it. This is a full centre display swap though.

[Lumps of cheese]

The calais and ssv model stereos play mp3's which i was rapt about as i was thinking the same thing so swapping the unit is an option, although i'm not sure what's compatible with the sv6's, someone else might know.

[MagiTEK]

There is a replacement hvac control available.

Feeler Thread - independent HVAC controls - Pontiac G8 Forum: G8 Forums - G8Board.com

Though as for the rest i dont know. Integrating into the steering wheel control s will probably require rewiring the controls as the whole car seems to use a data bus to pass info instead of simple wired circuits.

[Ya Dig]

Totally Agree Its Bloody Rediculis

[racka]

Somebody... Anybody??? I'm tearing my hair out here, this car's seriously starting to look like a trade-in to me...

Easiest solution - go to a wrecker or eBay and get a Berlina, Calais or SS unit. You then need to have someone like No Limit Electronics (Melbourne based, dunno who does it in Sydney) recode the unit to work with your HVAC unit. At that point as far as I know it's a straight swap of the headunit - pull yours out, put the replacement unit in.

Just so you're aware (in case you don't know)...the Berlina unit has a mono screen, the Calais and SS-V units are colour screens.

It's not a cheap exercise, the headunit will set you back $600-700 secondhand, or $1600 from Holden brand new, and then it costs $400-500 for the recoding.

The other solution that people have done is have an aftermarket head unit (with remote) wired up in the glove box, which they then plug iPods into or use the MP3 cd player functions of that unit.

Personally, I'd go for the Holden head unit solution, even though it's more expensive, cos it's neater and the steering wheel controls still control everything then.

Good luck with it.

[Luke0011]

You can add an aftermarket unit as well as control it through the steering wheels.
[ATTACH][/ATTACH]

Also a guy I know who used to work for blaupunkt is developing a single din fascia and a seperate screen for the climate control so you can replace the factory unit and manual HVAC controls. Should be ready hopefully in the next month or two.

[blasto]

You can add an aftermarket unit as well as control it through the steering wheels.
[ATTACH][/ATTACH]

Also a guy I know who used to work for blaupunkt is developing a single din fascia and a seperate screen for the climate control so you can replace the factory unit and manual HVAC controls. Should be ready hopefully in the next month or two.

Wow, sounds just the concept I'm after! Would be grateful for any update when it's tried & tested.

Thanks

[blasto]

Weeks? A couple of minutes of a Google search will give you the answer. Simple answer is no, there's no simple aftermarket stereo swap for the VE. There's been a few people do pretty hefty mods and integrate an ipad and run stereo etc through it. This is a full centre display swap though.

Yeah, well not weeks 9-5, just weeks like in my spare time, you know!

And, as I mentioned, it is looking like a custom job to deal with Holden's ingenious "HVAC & 90's stereo integration" concept.

[mummbles]

my '08 SS Sportswagon plays MP3s no problems. I thought the SV6 was the same headunit?

[blasto]

my '08 SS Sportswagon plays MP3s no problems. I thought the SV6 was the same headunit?

Yeah, it's apparently the same unit - to the naked eye, and physically & electrically speaking...

I've read elsewhere on the net that other people think it's a firmware issue, I think it's probably Holden finding out the MP3 playing function has issues, and rather than sort it out like sensible engineers would, they have decided to "de-feature" the stereo unit. Has many people ar$ed at Holden currently...

[k3v0]

How hard was the single din install under the original headunit?

[blasto]

I can't believe anyone else doesn't have similar problems with this stereo. My wife's 5 year old Subaru has a 2DIN unit, which actually plays MP3 files, so it doesn't need replacing... ironically.

[arty]

Hi blasto,

You must have a single cd player in your car.

The six stacker units play MP3 cds. All you have to do is order a head unit and a fascia from Holden or Blaupunkt.

I hope that helps.

[wikky]

Hi blasto,

You must have a single cd player in your car.

The six stacker units play MP3 cds. All you have to do is order a head unit and a fascia from Holden or Blaupunkt.

I hope that helps.

See post #6. Farkin ripoff for what it is.

[blasto]

Hi blasto,

You must have a single cd player in your car.

The six stacker units play MP3 cds. All you have to do is order a head unit and a fascia from Holden or Blaupunkt.

I hope that helps.

Mate, you are having a lend now, aren't you?, seriously...


I wouldn't order a Big Mac from EITHER of them.


There must be another way.........

[colonelbmx]

i know with the series 2 commodore there all the same unit its just a programme then run through the head deck that gives you the sat nav, mp3, and ipod integration depending on what model you get will depend on what the unit is able to do. Not sure if thats the case with series 1 tho but could be worth looking into?

[KAL SPL]

[holdenboy]

Interesting KAL SPL.......any more details???

[KAL SPL]

Look for a thread on LS1 forum started by turbocorty , its his design and will be available soon I believe.

[blasto]

KAL, this setup is looking very nice. Except for the tack-on HVAC controls. I guess it's a matter of whats more important at this stage, and getting rid of that Blaupunkt atrocity is my priority.

Perhaps we should all email Holden, and spell DIN out to the "engineers" they have designing these things.

I still reckon Holden have a legal case to answer, but will explore that avenue on my own, and in another thread...

[sp001in]

THIS: COMMODORE VE SS-V HSV RADIO UPGRADE SUIT SS SV6 & OMEGA - eBay, Other, Car, Truck Parts, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 26-Oct-10 21:10:43 AEDST)

It's pricey but will play Mp3's and video's off your ipod / iphone. plays mp3's off Cd's also, but does not read DVD's.

will work with ANY VE.

[DevilDRake]

Pricey? That's outrageous!

[blasto]

THIS: COMMODORE VE SS-V HSV RADIO UPGRADE SUIT SS SV6 & OMEGA - eBay, Other, Car, Truck Parts, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 26-Oct-10 21:10:43 AEDST)

It's pricey but will play Mp3's and video's off your ipod / iphone. plays mp3's off Cd's also, but does not read DVD's.

will work with ANY VE.

Why on earth would I want to buy ANOTHER Holden stereo for twice what I would pay for a aftermarket stereo that has a bonus ---- SATNAV, Touchscreen and DVD???

That would be very hypocritical....

[dingdong555]

Why on earth would I want to buy ANOTHER Holden stereo for twice what I would pay for a aftermarket stereo that has a bonus ---- SATNAV, Touchscreen and DVD???

That would be very hypocritical....

Because it replaces the stock headunit and you don't need to mould a new facia for the double DIN device?