[puma brother]

Hi everyone

Having bought a genuine Puma CD multi-changer for my partners' (puma sister) 99 model, I need some advice on how to connect this to the Ford head unit.

The chap I bought it from said that there is a pre-built in connecter in the Puma's boot which it should plug n play into, but I can't locate it (and seeing as I got it very cheaply compared to the dealer price he paid for it, I didn't want to hassle him anymore about it plus didn't want to appear too wally-esque!). Is there such a thing on our model of Puma, or do I need to buy a connecting lead? For info, the head unit is a 7000 radio/cass unit which I also bought cheap (the display is not showing most of the time - but that's another question for another time) which has the CD control switches already on it. The original unit fitted at factory was the 6000 sincel CD/radio which packed in, hence the replacement. As it didn't have the CD changer from factory fit, does that mean that the connector I need is not fitted to ours??

Any help or parts advice that froum users can provide is much appreciated, as puma sister is getting narky about not being able to play her CD's! We want to keep the car pretty much as standard from factory, hence why I bought Ford ICE and are avoiding the Sony CD changers, iPod head units etc (can connect iPod via cassette portal if required). Ta!

[pumapilot]

I have a 5000 series radio/cassette in my Puma (yes some of us still have tapes), and a Ford 6 CD changer in the boot, it was fitted before the car was delivered (new), and i'm presuming that you'll have to connect it via a lead.

The 7000 'Platinum' system was an option on the Puma (most of the cars fitted with it have a seperate amp in the boot), which is probably where the boot connector theory comes from, personally i have never seen anything audio connector related in the boot of any Puma.

[hotrodspike]

My CD changer lead is under the passenger seat with a multi plug on the end, the other end is still behind where the old 5000 sat (yes Pete some of us had tapes as well mate, do you want a spare 5000?)

[pumapilot]

hotrodspike, on 14 August 2010 - 05:00 PM, said:

Pete some of us had tapes as well mate, do you want a spare 5000?

No thanks John, i'm considering a new sound system altogether at the moment

[FlashBastd]

Early Puma's (97-99) had the CD changer under the passenger seat, but were not pre-wired. Aftermarket OE compatible CD changers are typically fitted in the boot. I had a 2001 car and that wasn't pre-wired. No Fords that I have come across have been pre-wired (unless they actually had a changer), and I worked in a dealership until 98.

What make is the CD changer that this guy has sold you, is it Ford branded?

[hotrodspike]

Mine's a 2001 (March) and is pre wired under the seat.

[FlashBastd]

Are you sure it wasn't a previous owner, who removed the changer? If it was a factory installed cable, then I doubt any would have had it pre-wired to the boot.

[hotrodspike]

IIRC not all 5000's and 6000's were CD compatible, I've seen some without the wording "CD compatible" on the front panel, in which case there wouldn't be any pre wired connections for a changer.

[pumapilot]

hotrodspike, on 14 August 2010 - 07:39 PM, said:

IIRC not all 5000's and 6000's were CD compatible, I've seen some without the wording "CD compatible" on the front panel.

My 5000 is marked CD compatible

[puma brother]

FlashBastd, on 14 August 2010 - 05:17 PM, said:

Early Puma's (97-99) had the CD changer under the passenger seat, but were not pre-wired. Aftermarket OE compatible CD changers are typically fitted in the boot. I had a 2001 car and that wasn't pre-wired. No Fords that I have come across have been pre-wired (unless they actually had a changer), and I worked in a dealership until 98.

What make is the CD changer that this guy has sold you, is it Ford branded?

Sorry for late reply people - waiting for my Internet to be connected at home so have limited access to forum at the mo; thanks for the replies to date.

As our's is a 99 model and didn't have the platinum pack (no sign of a separate amp in the boot), then I will assume that the pre-wiring which (apparently) was present in the boot on the model of Puma that the chap I bought this changer from is missing. I will have to check under the passenger seat later on tonight, but if this block connector is not connected at the factory then my next qustion is:

- If I want to fit this CD changer e.g. in the glovebox/under the pass seat/in the boot, what type of cable do I need to connect the 7000 head unit to the changer. The changer is a genuine Ford branded item - apparently specific to the Puma. Will I have to get a specific Ford part number connector lead, if such a thing exists? Does anyone know the cable length, part no & price?? Can I get an aftermarket cable e.g. from Halfords, that does the trick? Anyone done this upgrade before with any suggestions or recommendations (I've heard the changer can be quite "skippy" due to the sporty ride of the Puma!). There is a CD button on the head unit, so I will have to assume that I can control the discs from the 7000 unit - is this a correct assumption?! Ta!

[pumapilot]

I can change discs using the buttons on the head unit, and despite powerflex bushed suspension - i only get the odd skip on CD's.

[hotrodspike]

Never had any probs with mine skipping when it was in.

[FlashBastd]

You will need to get the cable from Ford, I expect it may be quite expensive.

You may want to consider just getting an aftermarket CD changer to work with the OE head unit. Expect to pay upto £50. I would think the cable could be around £30, and the Ford CD changers aren't especially sturdy compared to the aftermarket stuff out there, but see what your local parts counter say.

[hotrodspike]

If I can get it out you can have my cable for the postage

[puma brother]

hotrodspike, on 17 August 2010 - 06:28 PM, said:

If I can get it out you can have my cable for the postage

Again, thanks for the replies people - I think (now that I've bought a compatible head unit & CD changer at a good price) I'll persevere with the Ford ICE - keeping it factory! If it's not too much hassle, I'd appreciate the cable if its easy to remove & going spare - will cover the postage, no probs. PM me mate & I'll reply as soon as I get a chance to log on again (dodgy reception with the Net continues!) - ta.

[hotrodspike]

I'll have a try tomorrow if it ever stops pouring with rain!

[puma brother]

hotrodspike, on 21 August 2010 - 05:58 PM, said:

I'll have a try tomorrow if it ever stops pouring with rain!

Not sure if weather permitted the de-cabling(!) but we're away on hols after tomorrow so PM me if you get a chance & we'll pick this up again in early September. At least we're getting broadband fitted tomorrow - shame we're off straight away as soon as the engineer's finished!

Puma has been booked in for the 7th for a service as we're having an issue with the oil warning switch - hopefully we'll avoid crank damage ......

[puma brother]

Just to update this thread, the Puma oil switch was a minor fault so it lives on, and now has a genuine Puma CD changer fitted - thanks mainly to Spike's generosity with the cable supply - top bloke!

The cable that is fitted to the later Puma's head unit DOES work with earlier models for future reference to anyone who wants to do the same changer retro fit project. We decided to fit ours in the glovebox due to security & accesibility issues, and it works perfectly with the 7000 head unit. Not even any skipping, which I heard was a common occurence with the CD changer! Sounds alright too for slightly outdated technology - keeping it real with this one!

Might consider a speaker upgrade if I can source some decent one's at a good price - suggestions anyone?

Total cost of this project was £0.99 for a 7000 head unit (+ postage, which I was massively undercharged for), £0.99 for the keys to remove the 6000 unit, £22 for the CD changer (+ postage, original new cost [apparently] well over £200 form Ford!), + £0.00 for the cable due to Spike's generosity, and finally £20 fitting by a mate (including the use of the very cool "Christmas Tree" drill bit!). Total cost less than £50 for a genuine 6 disc Puma CD changer = One very happy puma sister!

Mechanically all sorted now - just had a new rad fitted, it needs a quick service (genuine Ford parts) + a K & N air filter to tide it over, and a bit of a clean inside and we're getting the rear arches/wings + both bumpers + front wing + bottom rear hatch re-sprayed all in for £350. Tidy!