Vq Statesmen Radio Install / dash removal

[Phoenix21]

Like the title says i wanna put a cd player in my friends statesmen but the dash is different to the ones i know how to pull apart (VN-VS) so any help with that would be great and are all the wires the same once you get it out

Thankz Heapz Phoenix21

[Phoenix21]

ive done a search and couldn't find anything Thanks in Advance People

[1991_Vn2nV]

You sure its different? I woulda thought you'd just pull up the section in front of the handbrake, unscrew the radio surround section and pull that off etc. etc. like in a normal VN/VP?

[Phoenix21]

na the whole dash is different it look different i'll take a pic later but it all join to gether

[Phoenix21]

thats how it looks the bloddy thing broke down again so it in my back yard

[WNTDVT]

Hey mate, i had the same problem when i installed my head unit into my stato, couldn't find any information on it. I then borrowed a gregories off a mate and cleared it all up. Haven't got it here so going by what i remember, so anyone feel free to correct me if i am wrong.

NOTE.

When working with the electrical system of your vehicle it is good practice to remove the positive battery terminal to ensure that any bare wires don't arc on contact with the body and blow fuses unnecessarily. This also stops you being zapped when you absent mindedly touch the power wire!

REMOVAL OF DASH COMPONENTS/STEREO SURROUND

1. Open console lid and remove 2 screws on the front side. Remove power window units and unplug for ease of further steps (small screwdriver and prise them out) and also remove the ash tray.

2. Place shifter into 1st and then get a hold of the shifter surround cover and pull down and back at the same time and it will release from the retainer clips that locate it to the plastics on the side of the centre dash piece. It does require some force and you will probably think your going to break it but don't worry you wont.

3. Once clips are released wiggle the surround back so that it allows you to see the 3 screws holding the stereo surround on, remove these screws and the large surround face should come off.

4. Remove glovebox by prising out the plastic lugs that hold it in, (large screwdriver worked for me) and then remove the screws on the right hand side that hold the main dash fascia on.

5. On the drivers side, release the fuse cover and then undo the screws on the left hand side that also hold the main dash fascia piece on.

6. Back to the front of the dash, just remove any remaining screws that hold the fascia on, also remove the screws that hold the climate control unit into place. Now u will need to release the tubing from the back of the climate control unit and then maneuvre the fascia so that it allows its to be removed. To do so u will need to also unplug the wiring plug that connects to the climate control unit.

7. Now that everything (i think that's all) is removed you should be able to unscrew the radio by removing the front screws that hold it into place and in some cases there may be some on each side of the radio.

8. Remove and disconnect radio and then replace with new headunit and enjoy. Simply reverse steps to re-install dash components.


WIRING.

Depending on your headunit, some wires may be different. I have a JVC unit and this is the wire pairings i used.

The important wires to worry about are the constant 12v (generally orange), the accessories wire (generally yellow) and the ground wire which we all know is black, in some cases it may have a white tracer (mine did).

If your car is different then you are able to find the constant 12v by using a test light to determine which wire has power all the time, to find the accessories wire simply test all wires when key is turned to accessories, the wire other than the constant which has power is the accessory wire.

If you are not using an amplifier to power your speakers, then the statesman speaker wires are as follows.

Tan: Left hand front.
Light Green: Right hand front.
Brown: Left hand rear.
Dark Blue: Right hand rear.

Light blue: All speaker negative.

Also if your headunit has remote antenna wires you can connect those wires to allow your antenna to still work. (Antenna wire generally pink i think, cant remember)

Then simply follow your headunit wiring diagram and match the headunit wires to those of the car.

NOTE.

Generally VQ Statesmans will be either without an accessories wire or a constant 12v (needed to retain memory for headunit when car is turned off). Although some cars may have both in which case consider yourself lucky.

So you may be required to install one or the other.

Installing a Constant Wire (12v).

Get some power wire (remote wire is fine or wire of similar gauge as you are only transferring small current) and connect one end to the positive terminal of the battery and then place an inline fuse (doesn't need to be massive) between the battery and the headunit (place within a few inches of battery for easy access). Run the wire through the firewall grommet and then up to the headunit area and connect.
Now you have your constant wire.

Installing an Accessories Wire.

Again get some wire and run it from the headunit area across to the steering column (or cigarette lighter, anywhere that has accessory power). Splice into an existing accessory wire and then seal, no fuse is necessary for this wire.
Now you have your accessory wire.

I am quite sure that all steps have been covered and feel free to correct me if i am wrong. I hope this helps any VQ owners out there who have also been unable to find any information regarding this job.


Matt.

[Phoenix21]

your a legend mate i'll try it tomorrow and let ya know