Howdy folks. I am installing a high end audio system in the s40 that I am currently shopping for (taking my time, I want the right one).

My question is regarding the OEM head unit. Does that also display heat settings, etc or just the radio?

Also, can I switch out just the OEM screen or does the new unit need to be double din?

THANKS

Are you going to do the work yourself? If not, have the shop do the work. They would know what is involved.

No, I will be doing the work myself. I have built numerous systems, my forte being fiberglass and motorized enclosures. This dash is something new to me(part of my huge attraction to this car also I must say) When I test drove one, I never turned on the radio, too busy having fun with it,lol.

So I don't know if that screen shows the information for everything , i.e. fan/heat/ heated seats, etc etc or if it is strictly a radio, in which case, I assume I can just remove it and mount a normal size head unit in there. Double DIN is fine too, but the head unit I REALLY want to use (Pioneer DP-1 w/ processor) is single Din

The head unit not only shows radio/cd info, but it also shows and controls all of the cars settings (i.e. climate control, whether or not the doors automatically lock, displays your VIN/number of keys programmed for your car etc.)

The OEM head unit screen most be relocated somewhere else, check the link below, a guy from Portugal did a similar project that he named “S40 carpc”
The tread will give you some insight on what you are getting into.

http://forums.swedespeed.com/zerothread?id=58894&page=1

I am looking for a double din mount so I can keep it where it is. I have an email in to Metra to see if they offer or can manufacturer trim kit.

Something like this but made for the s40

(IMG:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/rustyhooks/012339065001.jpg)

ok guys, just heard back from Metra. This was Matt's reply.

There is nothing you can do with this car except to have your own system seperately, and leave the factory alone. You cannot even install RF modulators because the antenna signal to the radio is fiber optic.


Matt Calderon
Lead Tech
Metra Electronics Corp.

Now, they mainly make fit components so I see his view on this but is his comment entirely true?? The link provided above with the PC hookup has me wondering if it is possible.

I learned from the PC link that the OEM screen can be moved to the the headliner lighting module which would allow me to mount the head unit in it's old place. What issues do I have regarding the signal being fiber optic? I could use an alternate antanea for FM reception if this is what Matt was talking about.

I am not an expert, neither have done any audio mods in my car, but learn the following by reading others experiences in this forum, others might jump in and correct me:


PARTIALLY CORRECT: "There is nothing you can do with this car except to have your own system separately and leave the factory alone".
If you search around will find some nice audio mods done by others, such the carpc project.
FALSE: cannot even install RF modulators because the antenna signal to the radio is fiber optic.
Its possible because at some point the signal changes from Fiber to Analog (at the speakers)

Its possible if you have the money, creativity and lots of patience

Lots of issues, as there is not many aftermarket solutions for this.

The RF modulator is a solution used by some owners to connect an IPod or MP3 player, instead of the FM transmitter, see sticky post an the top "S40 Ipod Connector".

I understand that I can add on to the existing system, I have seen a few threads on this but I guess my main question is this.

what would be stopping me from installing a completely new system and just leaving the factory one turned off.

I am not looking to do an ipod, it's the head unit of this system that makes it what it is. We're talking about a $2500 digital processor.

The display on a s40/v50 is called a ICM or infotainment control unit. It is connected to the vehicle low CAN multiplex system as well as being the control unit for the audio system which runs on a MOST network. This is the fibre optic network that has been mentioned. The ICM could be moved in the vehicle but would require fibre optic wires and CAN wiring to be moved with it. Also as the ICM does show/control more functions than just radio would it not be simpler to fit the new aftermarket unit somewhere else and just leave the ICM where it is. The ICM is not the head unit (media player) though, it is just the control.

Oh and the space behind the ICM is partly taken up by the cd player which is called a IAM or intigrated audio module, this is a MOST slave unit and is not only a cd player but also the radio tuner, there could be speaker wires comindg directly out of this unit depending on level of system (premium in uk), but if you have a AUD (audio unit/amplifier) in the back they will be found there. Fm reception can also be found at the back of the IAM in a coaxel format as long as the chassis range (uk range) is above -090000 approx. 2004 and early 2005 model year cars have a seperate FM module at the rear and then go onto transmit the radio reception via MOST network to the IAM module.

It could be possible to remove the IAM to give room to fit your own radio/head unit and just leave the ICM connected to the CAN wiring and normal wiring (unplug the optic fibres). This way you would still be able to control/veiw the vehicle options etc but not the MOST system ie radio channel/volume on the ICM (display). As the MOST network has been interupted though the ICM could possibly shut down all controls it has but I believe that it will only shut down the audio side (what you want). A simple way for ou to test this theory is to remove your ICM and unplug your fibre optic wires from the unit and test what functions you still have with regards to customer options ect. Note the fibre optics are in a two way connector and the wires are orange in colour, do not pull the wires or bend them. The ICM will also record a MOST network fault so be sure this is not displayed also.


This is just from the top of my head, hope it gives some insight to the system.

ok, bear with me guys, and I appreciate the answers.

So I can take the ICM and relocate it to the ceiling module (are current wires long enough?)

And then remove CD player/MOST unit also and install my headunit there?

Now if I understand correctly, you can disconnect the ICM from the MOST unit so it only displays fan, heat, etc?

Also, Will the necessary wiring be avail to install the headunit? (power, ground, illumination, etc?)

ok, bear with me guys, and I appreciate the answers.

So I can take the ICM and relocate it to the ceiling module (are current wires long enough?)

And then remove CD player/MOST unit also and install my headunit there?

Now if I understand correctly, you can disconnect the ICM from the MOST unit so it only displays fan, heat, etc?

Also, Will the necessary wiring be avail to install the headunit? (power, ground, illumination, etc?)

Yes you can relocate the ICM but would need to be visible to the driver to use climate functions, wires would need to be lengthened (about 7 of) but fibre optic cables would not as will not be used.

Yes you could remove the cd player/IAM and the gap left could house a normal head unit, a one off fabrication would be requred to secure and make this neat though, dont ask me how.

The MOST is not a unit but the fibre optic (orange wires) network that connects all the audio units. But yes if you disconnect the fibre optic wires (MOST) the fan, heat etc will still work. Tried this today and worked fine.

Not all the wiring will be there but would be easily found and routed if req. The speaker wires would be there if the car is not equiped with a AUD/amplifier in the rear.

I would just add that if anyone wants to do this mod and has a PHM (phone module) as standard in the car the above information would cause loss of this system and possibly other problems.