Alpine 6 CD changer compatibility

[Osh]

The Ford (Alpine) 6 CD changer, under the driver's seat has given up.
Having purchased the identical model off eBay (model numbers and everything else match) and connected it up, the audio system doesn't recognise it. My Galaxy has the touch screen sat nav (Part number 7S7T-18K931-BH).

Should this be a straight swap, or does it need to be registered with the system? Has anyone had any experience with this?

[SirDavidAlhambra]

Not sure and I know it doesnââ,¬â,,¢t answer ur question directly but could u just store ur songs as MP3 and put them in a memory stick, not sure if many people really use CD these days really so could u perhaps just side step the issue

[johnnyroper]

The Ford (Alpine) 6 CD changer, under the driver's seat has given up.
Having purchased the identical model off eBay (model numbers and everything else match) and connected it up, the audio system doesn't recognise it. My Galaxy has the touch screen sat nav (Part number 7S7T-18K931-BH).

Should this be a straight swap, or does it need to be registered with the system? Has anyone had any experience with this?

As itââ,¬â,,¢s a newer model then I will most likely need plugging in to diagnostics to pair it to the head unit. You got any independent ford specialists local who would have diagnostic equipment?

You could purchase a lead and forscan and do it yourself, having the gear could come in handy in the future also if you have any problems so would pay for itself. Sure I paid about Ã,£30 for forscan when I had it in the past

[brianh]

Forscan is very good value for money. Lead for it can be had for about Ã,£20 and the free version of the software does most of the functions. 2 month license can be had for free last time I looked to give access to PATS and something else, or can be purchased fairly cheaply if you want a full license. Provided they havent changed anything since I last looked. Ã,£30 does sound right for the license. You want the cable with the switch on it to get it to work I found.

[Osh]

As itââ,¬â,,¢s a newer model then I will most likely need plugging in to diagnostics to pair it to the head unit. You got any independent ford specialists local who would have diagnostic equipment?

You could purchase a lead and forscan and do it yourself, having the gear could come in handy in the future also if you have any problems so would pay for itself. Sure I paid about Ã,£30 for forscan when I had it in the past

It's not a newer model, hence my issue and post. It's the exact same replacement CD changer.  Or have I misunderstood what you mean by newer model?

[johnnyroper]

By newer I mean not a mark 2, the mark 3 cars have can bus etc and as such audio equipment is more programmed to the car rather than the head unit itself being security coded.

Older mark 2 you could swap changer out no problem like for like, mark 3 you essentially need to tell the car you have swapped it

[SirDavidAlhambra]

Might it be easier and better just to:

A. Buy a new head unit with DAB and better functionality
B. Turn your fave CDs into MP3 and put them on a SD card in your fancy new head unit

DAB is really good and a new head unit could be far better than fiddling around with archaic technology like CD auto changers not to mention learning how to program the dam thing into the carââ,¬â,,¢s computer so it is actually usable (how unnecessarily complex they made that hey). It could be a great upgrade and not cost too much either! As well as DAB and MP3 cards, you could also benefit from Bluetooth and a proper car microphone up by the overtaking mirror! How great would that be hey! Itââ,¬â,,¢s so easy to fit too.

Also you can get really good branded ones for like Ã,£75 these days. I once had one I got from LIDL for Ã,£20 and it was amazing, so many good features and good power output too (even had its own little remote control)

[brianh]

It isn't particually simple to do so when the stereo isn't a standard DIN size one, which a lot of "newer" Ford ones are (Read post 2004 for newer there). You also lose some of the functionality of steering wheel buttons unless you get the right head unit and matching bits to convert between the car and stereo.

[SirDavidAlhambra]

Agreed, itââ,¬â,,¢s a bit more fiddly and probably impossible if u donââ,¬â,,¢t have the right adaptor (my Ford Focus wasnââ,¬â,,¢t a standard DIN size) but if u ask the shop they sell a little cage thing which converts the hole in the dashboard to the right size for the car stereo, I got mine from an online retailer (forgot the name!) and the converter kit cost Ã,£10 plus it looks really smart and matches the dashboard perfectly. Was very easy to fit with the right adaptor and the steering wheel controls all work perfectly although as u say it is important to check with the shop assistant first just to be in the safe side

Also my other main tip is to be really gentle with the plastic clips and stuff, Fords donââ,¬â,,¢t make cars like they used to and itââ,¬â,,¢s really common for clips to snap off if u bend them too hard so always take care and never try to force something into place even if u get really frustrated

[johnnyroper]

Might it be easier and better just to:

A. Buy a new head unit with DAB and better functionality
B. Turn your fave CDs into MP3 and put them on a SD card in your fancy new head unit

DAB is really good and a new head unit could be far better than fiddling around with archaic technology like CD auto changers not to mention learning how to program the dam thing into the carââ,¬â,,¢s computer so it is actually usable (how unnecessarily complex they made that hey). It could be a great upgrade and not cost too much either! As well as DAB and MP3 cards, you could also benefit from Bluetooth and a proper car microphone up by the overtaking mirror! How great would that be hey! Itââ,¬â,,¢s so easy to fit too.

Also you can get really good branded ones for like Ã,£75 these days. I once had one I got from LIDL for Ã,£20 and it was amazing, so many good features and good power output too (even had its own little remote control)

Not everyone wants to faff about with aftermarket stuff though,yes you can get extra features but the standard equipment is acceptable for some people. Given age it may well have Bluetooth technology anyway.

Connecting forscan to tell it cd changer has been replaced is probably far easier than removing trim to fit steering wheel wiring controls,Dab aerial etc. Also a 2nd hand changer is most likely cheaper than ripping the lot out to fit different HU and associated adapter facias and wiring. Also getting something like forscan will pay for itself with a couple of plug ins to check fault codes etc.

The OP asked a question on how to get replacement CD changer working and not what audio equipment he should buy. Maybe In future if you dont know the answer  to the question asked itââ,¬â,,¢s probably better not to reply rather than saying swap the whole set up out with something else.

[SirDavidAlhambra]

 I thought it was a good pragmatic solution tho... Iââ,¬â,,¢ve changed the car stereo loads of times and itââ,¬â,,¢s easy to do if u get a bit of guidance from the people in the shop, itââ,¬â,,¢s not expensive either and would probably be a good upgrade. The Ford scanner tool is good too but u have to be careful, lots of cables out there are cheap clones and u can easily ending up bricking ur carââ,¬â,,¢s computer even though most of the time it works fine (see cautionary tales on forscan forums)

Thereââ,¬â,,¢s a saying in marketing, if a customer says he or she wants a drill bit, actually what he or she is asking is for something that will make a hole... this is what drives innovation hehe