Phillips VDO CD 5404MP3X Connections help

Rickshaw · 6th August 2017, 16:15

I lifted one of these units from a car in a scrap yard and also removed ( cut from the wiring loom) the three connectors ( plus few inches cables) attached to the units rear. Two of the connectors are standard ISO - but the third (uppermost) is a three section beast.
Now , the 75 I aim to install this in has a a Harmony unit with standard Harmony rear connector. I can buy an adapter ( just ordered one off EBay) to plug into this connector which provides me with two standard ISO connectors ( which I can then , presumably ) plug into the rear of the 5404MP3X . Problem is I have no idea at all what to do about the additional (uppermost) socket area . I have found a diagram that suggests there three wiring sections for this associated with :-
• CD Changer Line-In
• Remote control
• Line-Out
I have a feeling I do not need this connector /plug at all but I’m really not sure what these three aspects above are ? Will the unit play CD’s , Radio etc with nothing connected into this strange , upper connector area?
Before I bought the 75 I aim to install the 5404MP3X in , I am pretty sure it was used as a Taxi since there was a small connector on wires in the tray just below the gear knob. These wires are red , black , yellow and I traced them back , past the Harmony unit and over towards the steering wheel direction. I have a feeling they may relate to the Remote controls on the Steering wheel - which no longer work! I am not bothered about this since I could operate things perfectly well by using the controls directly on the 5404MP3X - IF I can get it working.

Any help much appreciated.

Stickman · 6th August 2017, 20:15

Send a pm to Jeff (coolcat) mate
He's the one to advise on this imho
Regards
Chris

Roverlike · 7th August 2017, 05:16

Three connectors you have on the back are standard ISO A, ISO B and the problematic one to you is ISO C connector consisting of three connectors in itself, usualy in yellow, green and blue colours.

Your head unit will work fine without any connections to ISO C connector. ISO A connector is responsible for power part, while ISO B is responsible for speakers part.
ISO C connector deals with accessories outside of the head unit, depending which of these accessories your head unit supports. One of them may be remote controls.

Since you say you have problems what seems to be the problem? Did you connected ISO A and ISO B connectors and head unit still does not work?

6th August 2017, 16:15	#1
Rickshaw Loves to post Rover 75 Tourer, 2 X75 Saloon , MGTF Sunstorm Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Guildford Posts: 380 Thanks: 497 Thanked 172 Times in 93 Posts	Phillips VDO CD 5404MP3X Connections help I lifted one of these units from a car in a scrap yard and also removed ( cut from the wiring loom) the three connectors ( plus few inches cables) attached to the units rear. Two of the connectors are standard ISO - but the third (uppermost) is a three section beast. Now , the 75 I aim to install this in has a a Harmony unit with standard Harmony rear connector. I can buy an adapter ( just ordered one off EBay) to plug into this connector which provides me with two standard ISO connectors ( which I can then , presumably ) plug into the rear of the 5404MP3X . Problem is I have no idea at all what to do about the additional (uppermost) socket area . I have found a diagram that suggests there three wiring sections for this associated with :- • CD Changer Line-In • Remote control • Line-Out I have a feeling I do not need this connector /plug at all but I’m really not sure what these three aspects above are ? Will the unit play CD’s , Radio etc with nothing connected into this strange , upper connector area? Before I bought the 75 I aim to install the 5404MP3X in , I am pretty sure it was used as a Taxi since there was a small connector on wires in the tray just below the gear knob. These wires are red , black , yellow and I traced them back , past the Harmony unit and over towards the steering wheel direction. I have a feeling they may relate to the Remote controls on the Steering wheel - which no longer work! I am not bothered about this since I could operate things perfectly well by using the controls directly on the 5404MP3X - IF I can get it working. Any help much appreciated.

6th August 2017, 20:15	#2
Stickman Posted a thing or two Rover 75 saloon Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Bordon Posts: 1,856 Thanks: 250 Thanked 403 Times in 352 Posts	Send a pm to Jeff (coolcat) mate He's the one to advise on this imho Regards Chris

7th August 2017, 05:16	#3
Roverlike Avid contributor Rover, few of them Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Split, Croatia Posts: 235 Thanks: 254 Thanked 117 Times in 82 Posts	Three connectors you have on the back are standard ISO A, ISO B and the problematic one to you is ISO C connector consisting of three connectors in itself, usualy in yellow, green and blue colours. Your head unit will work fine without any connections to ISO C connector. ISO A connector is responsible for power part, while ISO B is responsible for speakers part. ISO C connector deals with accessories outside of the head unit, depending which of these accessories your head unit supports. One of them may be remote controls. Since you say you have problems what seems to be the problem? Did you connected ISO A and ISO B connectors and head unit still does not work?