SVX / Legacy radio compatibility

[b3lha]

A while ago, I bought a UK SVX CD changer and head unit from another member here. I used the CD changer to replace the broken JDM one in my 92. It is compatible with the JDM head unit but the connectors on the changer itself are different. Fortunately the seller included the last section of the UK wiring harness, so it all plugged together just fine.

So then I started wondering about what to do with the UK SVX head unit. I started comparing it to the head unit in my '96 Legacy. Both head units were pull-out type units made by Panasonic, and they both had the same cage, with the same contacts at the back. So I reasoned that surely if I just slid the SVX head unit into the Legacy cage it would work. But alas no: The power button lit up but the head unit would not turn on.

So I took the cages out and compared them. I discovered that the cage for the SVX unit had an "always hot" pin that was absent from the Legacy cage. The wire was present in the Legacy harness, but not connected through to the cage. So I took the pin from the SVX radio cage and slid it into the connector on the Legacy cage then joined it to the correct wire in the Legacy harness.

Now I can slide either head unit into the cage, they both work. The SVX unit seems to be a little bit better than the Legacy one. It has a logic-controlled tape deck and a jack at the front where I can plug in an MP3 player or whatever.

I can now say with certainty that the Legacy and SVX head units are interchangable. A Legacy CD changer will work with the SVX head unit and vice versa. Also, a Legacy head unit will slide straight into a UK SVX and control the CD changer. Just in case anybody ever needs to know.

Phil.

[Speedklix]

Just so you know, this gave me a reason to go digging through the loft tomorrow to find my legacy head unit. I took the sound system from the Svx and put it in my legacy when it became my daily driver, and i've just not had one since. My original SVX cd and stereo I ebayed, so now I have something until I decide what to do with the sound. I was thinking about building a computer, but still not sure. I figured that the units could probably swap, and now you've confirmed it.

(assuming you guys have the same connectors that is)

[intelisevil]

Of course their connectors are different . . . Look where the damn steering wheel is!

If you have problems with the US connectors get a hold of SVXdc and read this thread:

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/showthread.php?t=6530

Good Luck,
Dan

[b3lha]

To clarify: The wiring harness connector are different. But these Panasonic headunits are the old pull-out type (with a swing out handle). They have a cage which fits into the dash and connects to the wiring harness. Then the headunit slides into the cage. The contacts on the back of the headunit engage with contacts at the back of the cage.

What I've discovered is that the cages are identical, except for the harness connector. So the Legacy radio can be slotted into the SVX radio cage (and vice versa if you wire up the extra power pin which is missing on the Legacy radio cage).

[Speedklix]

Originally Posted by b3lha

To clarify: The wiring harness connector are different. But these Panasonic headunits are the old pull-out type (with a swing out handle). They have a cage which fits into the dash and connects to the wiring harness. Then the headunit slides into the cage. The contacts on the back of the headunit engage with contacts at the back of the cage.

What I've discovered is that the cages are identical, except for the harness connector. So the Legacy radio can be slotted into the SVX radio cage (and vice versa if you wire up the extra power pin which is missing on the Legacy radio cage).

a ha

[SVXdc]

Originally Posted by b3lha

To clarify: The wiring harness connector are different. But these Panasonic headunits are the old pull-out type (with a swing out handle). They have a cage which fits into the dash and connects to the wiring harness. Then the headunit slides into the cage. The contacts on the back of the headunit engage with contacts at the back of the cage.

What I've discovered is that the cages are identical, except for the harness connector. So the Legacy radio can be slotted into the SVX radio cage (and vice versa if you wire up the extra power pin which is missing on the Legacy radio cage).

That's fascinating. That sounds like the old-style "security" feature -- where you remove the whole radio and take it with you. I didn't know that any factory radios did that.

Can you post some pictures?

Is the UK SVX (car's) wiring harness the same as in the US? Like this? [Answer — No]

(SVX 20-pin radio harness connector)

Does the UK Legacy's harness look like this?

(14 pin radio connector used in most other 1993-up Subarus)

For more information than you ever wanted to know about other Subaru models' radios (at least in North America), see this thread I put together on NASIOC. You'll need to create a free account to view the images.

And here's my SVX Radio Installation Guide.

[SVXdc]

An SVX owner in Sweden e-mailed me asking about differences between his radio and what I describe in my installation document. He said his radio is similar to what's shown in the attached PDF, from a German owner. That radio is the Panasonic model RD25 (sticker on bottom says Model No. 86201PA060, Ref. No. CQ-YF4220A).

European radio connector SVX-RD25-Connect.pdf (214KB)

Translation:

[left picture] Radio seen from below, with male plug inserted (when viewing the assembled quick-out tray [installed in the dash], it is the left plug!)

[right picture] View of jack on the radio, mounted in the rear, and associated plug on the quick-out bracket.

The other socket / plug (not shown here) is for the CD changer control.

I have numbered the contacts as follows [3rd picture]

Endstufen = amplifier

Endstufen GND = "amplifier ground" (pins 3–6 = rear left, front left, rear right, front right, respectively) negative sides

Endstufen-Ausgänge = "Amplifier outputs" (pins 13–16, same order) positive sides

Blank (unpopulated pins):

1 Switching output for motor antenna (active plus [voltage]) maximum current ? [unknown] (short-term max. 0.3 A)

7 Front Right
17 Front Left
19 Rear Left
20 Rear Right

Comment on 7, 17, 19, 20: Outputs of the amplifiers through 5.6 KΩ / 680Ω voltage dividers. Associated ground connection is Pin 9

10 Mute Input – Low (ground) = mute on / NC = Normal operation [While muted, operation continues (display is not blanked)]

That reminded me of these pictures that another owner in the UK had sent me awhile back. That was the first time I had seen the radio in a UK SVX.

Click these thumbnails for larger images. Occasionally, the thumbnails will not show, but each also has an "o" which you can click.

Radio cover door closed (RHD):

o

Door open. AM/FM/Tape, with 3.5mm jack for portable CD player:

o

Raising the handle:

o

Begin sliding out the radio:

o

Anti-theft feature — take it with you

Same pictures as attachments (in case ImageShack gets balky):