2003 CDR23 MOST removal

I have searched up down and sideways for a definitive answer and I cannot seem to find what I need to know. I have a 2003 996 C4s with the CDR 23 radio non bose car with a factory cd changer. I believe this is a most car but I don't know for sure. So if I want to replace the head unit and its a most unit I am required to remove the OE head unit and amp. Can I then install a double din and an aftermarket amp and still power the stock speakers from the aftermarket amp? My assumption is that I remove the factory amp, cd changer, and head unit.

So I removed my changer and the small black grille on the passenger side and there is no amp in there. Where is the amp located on a C4S or if there is no amp there does that mean my car is amplified from the deck so it would be easy just to swap out head units and power the speakers off the new head unit. ****EDIT*** found the amp in the spare tire well. Looks like more of a task than I was anticipating...

Does something like this exist for our cars http://www.autotoys.com/x/product.ph...168#tabsanchor

I have an '03 C4 and the Bose MOST system. The amp is in with the spare tire. You'll know it it's the MOST fiber optic system if you see a pair of orange cables going to the amp. Hope this helps.

Its the most system for sure not a bose system. I think I have found a patch cable which basically allows you to install an aftermarket amp and plug the amp wires into the factory amp plug so there is no cutting.

Cool. Hope the cable works for you.

I have taken a new direction to this project. iPad mini install Move factory HU and Hvac to lower console Install SCOSCHE IPFMRDS for sound link

Where did you find this cable? I'm considering upgrading my Blows system in my 03 C4S and am hoping to avoid rewiring everything and the kitchen sink in the process.

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The amp is in the frunk. in order for no cutting you need fiber optic cable that the stock system doesnt have...i installed pioneer and upgraded my speakers and installed a new amp. you can do it without a new amp with the stock speakers but it will sound worse than if you did nothing

Well I took a different route and did the ipad mini today after work. I have NOT yet hooked it up to the head unit but expect no trouble using the FM kit. I don't really have any complaints with the stock radio at this time and figured this was far easier to do than changing out everything at this time. I wish someone made a cable to plug into the factory amp output cable so you didn't have to cut it off to tie into the speakers. This took me about 1 1/2 hours to complete after work tonight. 8E9B358E-0B26-42C5-B2CA-E88E364BC1F0_zpsjaeziqbq.jpg DDD3DBA2-F796-47CE-A949-842FA42277AB_zpsyx6l3fqd.jpg 512296B5-F19F-490D-9111-F9752D8360DB_zpsvlwh5aoh.jpg Also found this behind my dash and removed it anyone have a guess what it is??? 00E38597-42F1-4E36-ADB3-BFEA10D68FB0_zpsdqi5dnkf.jpg FB8AD351-1C8E-4A62-8F00-6F9D9D7061E3_zpspzjrboon.jpg

well the konnoc thingy is a battery. Maybe some kind of tracking thing like LoJack? What patch cord was found to connect a MOST system to a regular amp?

OK, I've just been through a similar issue with my 2003 car....I hope my discoveries help... There are two versions of the CDR-23, one with a built in amp and one without. The model numbers are 6611 and 6612 (the 6611 is the one with the built in amplifier). The version you have should be marked on the back of the head unit somewhere. The MOST system uses the fibre optic to connect to the CD changer (if there is one) and the external amplifier (if there is one). Not all cars have the external amplifier so I guess this was an option when new (mine didn't have one). The MOST connections are connected by orange fibre, centre bottom on the head unit. Because I had neither CD nor amp they were just looped on mine. There is one input (from the CD) and one output (to the amplifier). If you have an external amplifier you can replace the amplifier but need to run RCA connections from you new head unit to the amplifier. The speaker connections will be in the correct place. Alternatively, or if you don't have/want/need an external amplifier you can connect the speakers directly to your new head unit. If you previously had an external amp you'll need to run extensions of the speaker cables from the old amplifier location to the new head unit. If you have the CDR-23 with built in amplifier then replacement is very simple. The existing connectors in the car are standard ISO for both power and similar connections (the lower connection block) and for the speakers (the upper connection block). There is also a small yellow block which I believe can be left unconnected). The only adapter I needed was one to convert the aerial connection from Fakra to ISO. I hope all this helps, it took me a long time to figure it all out...

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I have the amplifier in my frunk with the fiber optic. Are you saying this amp also supports rca? I don't mind swapping the amp but I do not want to tap or cut the amp harness. Does anyone make a plug in for the amp connection with leads to feed back to the head unit or aftermarket amp?

No, the MOST amplifier doesn't support RCA but if you change your head unit you need to run RCA cables to the new amplifier...no need to cut the existing wiring loom, just run the new cables and bypass the loom. The power connector into the CDR-23 is standard ISO so that should plug straight in...

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I understand all that. Here is the hang up. Right now the OEM amp has a wiring block on it with all the wires in a plug. I would have to cut that plug off and hook up my new leads to the car. Maybe I am being unclear. Here is my OEM amp connector all of the wires are here that lead to my speakers. I want to be able to plug directly into this with my aftermarket amp just to feed the speakers does a plug exist? CB75DCC8-939E-4353-B989-413F7C20A9B0_zpsht6bxm7u.jpg

I am considering sending my CDR23 to Becker to do the auxiliary update. They say it is mono, I don't know what this means in comparison to stereo. Has anyone done this? How's the sound quality? I have the Bose upgrade on my 2003. Assume I am a complete simpleton when it come to audio/electrical, because I am.

If you want to add bluetooth and aux support, look a the Tranzit Blu http://www.isimplesolutions.com/tran...r-any-car.html It connects between the antenna and the radio

I have since decided to remove the stock deck and add in a Pioneer deck. All wiring is complete and stock speakers are functioning off the Deck. No cutting to my car harness what so ever.

Sorry if this is a silly question, but was it as easy as remove and replace? I was under the impression that if you changed out head units, you had to change out the amp. Thanks in advance.

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What I did was remove my OEM amp and I took it to Canadian Tire in Canada its a store with automotive stuff, I found a package of crimp pins the same size as the oem pins in the amp. Then I went home measured and cut 4 runs of speaker wire and installed these pins on the ends. I was then able to simply push my pins into the OEM car harness and run the speakers from the deck. The internal amp in the deck is fine to handle the 4 ohm dash and rear speakers. I also ran RCA and power / trigger / ground wires and will be installing an amp shortly to power my door subs. This is 100% reversible zero cutting to the car. If you don't have the door subs, or didn't want to run them then no amp would be needed at all. I did not want to cut my car up or anything like that.

Little update I am waiting on my new HU to show up to finish off the installation at this time. I ended up building my own harness to integrate with the factory amp plug. I found some crimp style connectors at Canadian tire which I was able to simply crimp onto my Alpine amp output leads and plug directly into my OEM harness. I am running 2 Alpine amps right now one mono amp to the door subs and a 75x4 to the dash and rears. I am building a sub box now for a single Jl 10W3 I have here.

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I think this would be a perfect solution for me. I don't really need a new head unit. I just want a hidden bluetooth solution. Does anyone know what antenna adapter I will need for my CDR23?

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Metra 40EU30 2002-Up VW/BMW/European Vehicle Antenna Adapter Cable Kit-Add CD with FM Modulator - 1 Each: Amazon.ca: Electronics Metra 40EU30 2002-Up VW/BMW/European Vehicle Antenna Adapter Cable Kit-Add CD with FM Modulator - 1 Each: Amazon.ca: Electronics

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EDIT: Amazon says the one you listed isn't compatible with my 03 996. This one supposedly is... Amazon.com: Metra Electronics 40-VW10 Factory Antenna to Aftermarket Radio Adapter for Select 1988-Up Audi/BMW/Mercedes/SMART Vehicles: Car Electronics Amazon.com: Metra Electronics 40-VW10 Factory Antenna to Aftermarket Radio Adapter for Select 1988-Up Audi/BMW/Mercedes/SMART Vehicles: Car Electronics Might have to buy both and see what works.

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Worked with my car I installed it a few days ago. That's the one I ordered. So today I built a test box at work I run a CNC machine so about 15 minutes of coding and another 15 minutes of cutting had me a perfect sub box for my JL 10W3. After getting everything setup I have to say I did too good of a job and will not be using this big high power 10. Its just too nuts in this car with that sub. So I ordered a couple 8's to throw in it and see how that works instead. If I have time tomorrow I will draw my box up for the 8's and cut it.

sweet, post some pictures up when it's done.

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+1

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That looks awesome. Oh to have unrestricted access to a CNC.

Tossed in a couple cheap 8's to see how it would work. 1E58FA09-EE9A-458F-A366-BB83B5A28077_zpswvdh7nbm.jpg

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Looks awesome!!

So I had everything all hooked up to an older Alpine head unit I had from a previous install and it worked perfectly. I did some searching and found this newer head unit with BT phone, BT audio streaming, ipad control etc...so I installed it and noticed right away I had alternator whine which I did not have previously. Figuring I screwed something up I began trouble shooting the system. After many exhaustive hours of re-working grounds, RCA cables etc and just about pulling everything and going back to stock I put the Alpine HU back in. Surprise the noise was gone!!! So as a warning to those out there I am sure not all Pioneer MVH-X560BT head units are bad but in my case it almost drove me to drinking! I am sending the unit back and replacing it with an Alpine head unit with comparable features.

Got the Alpine HU installed. Doesn't match quite as well as the Pioneer but it doesn't whistle! AF60A3B9-93AE-43E1-BB19-1B2494D5B7B0_zpsqhwj4n7c.jpg Nice pic at the airport last night. AB772F77-1032-42C5-ACA0-1ACA7C07DD38_zpsgnbphoaw.jpg

Hi Jamie - can you link to the adapter you used to bridge to the OE connector in post #15? I think you posted in another thread what you used, but I can't seem to find that post.

I'm late to the thread, but now there are all kinds of MOST adapters available. Search for "Mr. 12V MOST" for an inexpensive one. This allows you to keep the MOST system intact. You basically get an AUX input that the CDR23 or PCM thinks is a CD changer. With that, you can connect your iPad or android head unit optically, so no FM modulator quality issues. You move the A/C and radio to the lower console slots and install the double DIN above. Why? Because this maintains the ability to fade front to back using the CDR23 controls and will still modulate the output volume depending on cabin noise. The Mr.12V unit adds bluetooth and USB as well. If you get one of the android units like the ones from XTRONS, it has it's own bluetooth implementation and Apple/Android mirroring so you'll be able to pair your phone to the unit for hands free calling, etc. This isn't possible with an iPad. This option gives you the beast of all capabilities for the least amount of money. All in less than $500.

The most system in 2003 cars is known not to always play nice with the various MOST adapters,, Late 03's were evidentially a "crossover" that got revamped again in 04,, I've had more than one shop tell me the 03 its just easier and in the log run cheaper to replace the 20 year old amp. We shall see.. Suposedly a NAV head unit out of the right Cayenne willl work with some light fiddling, haven't tested that..

What is MOST

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Fiber optic digital network that started in our cars in 2003. It was very problematic until the 997 from what I read. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOST_Bus

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I just installed a MOST converter in my '03 and the result was odd. The front dash speakers work but nothing else. I've upgraded the front speakers so living with it for now, but long term full amp replacement does seem to be the right answer for 2003.