Freelander 1 Trying to figure out the wiring for the stereo...

Hi everyone,

My other half has a Series One Freelander (Pre Facelift) 52 Reg.
For Christmas I've bought a Blaupunkt DAB radio to upgrade to original tape player.
I've scoured forums and websites and asked experts but to no avail, so I thought I'd try asking here.

Now for the problem, I obviously need an ISO converter, and an adapter for the steering wheel controls.
I've seen that there can be 2 types of pins, so I'm having problems working out which type on connector to go for, I could take the tape player out and look at the connections, but we don't have the code for the radio, so I really don't want to have to disconnect it!
Is there any other way of telling what we have and thus the correct cable?
I've attached a photo, Just in case that helps!

Many Thanks in advance

Becky.

You can pull the radio out and have a look without disconnecting it - that would be your best bet. Also, why not buy both adapters and return the unwanted one?

its standard iso connectors you just need to reverse the switched live on that one but you will have trouble finding a stereo wheel control im still looking for one for mine

If you have the Blaupunkt Stockholm 230 radio the steering wheel adapter interface is built-in and you just need to connect SWC1 and GND leads on the radio to the steering wheel controls. I fitted an Alpine radio to mine and ran wires from the steering wheel rotary coupling harness (pins 5 and 6) to the radio and the controls works perfectly. Also fitted the Play / Pause button from the Discovery II version of the steering wheel buttons.

That's great guys!

So as I read it, the existing connector block will fit, just swap permanent and switched live.
And then the 2 wires for the remote.
I'm assuming SWC1 is currently in the ISO connector and I'll have to dig it out?

Thx.

SWC1 is on the radio. There should be a group of three short leads: SWC1, SWC2 and GND, often next to the mic socket.

That's great thanks. I assume the remote control wire is separate to the rest of the ISO block on the car?

Thanks
Becky

Yes, it is separate leads. Assuming your radio has the built-in interface, there should be two or three short leads on the back marked SWC and GND. These leads need to be connected to the steering wheel buttons.
On the factory radio, I think the steering wheel signal goes in on the C connector, similar to the CD changer and old-style phone interface, but I'm not sure.
I think it is simplest to run two wires to the steering column and connect to the controls signal there. I had purchased an Incartec active adapter (which I ended up not needing) which came with a handy lead that plugged between the steering wheel rotary coupling plug and the harness and made it easy to get the direct connection to the controls. I don't think this lead is available separately, but you could use two Scotchlok connectors instead on the wires.

1. Disconnect the battery, wait 10 mins (for the airbag to discharge) and take the steering column cover off (3 philips screws, I think). You don't need to take the steering wheel itself off
2. At the top of the steering column you should see the rotary coupling. This is the gadget that allows the wires to the audio controls, cruise controls and airbag to turn with the steering wheel.
3. The rotary coupling has two cables connected to it. One is a corded phone style yellow cable - this is the airbag wire and is not touched.
4. The other cable has a wider connector with 6 wires. Unplug this connector and you'll see tiny numbers on it.
5. You need to tap into pins 5 and 6. Use Scotchlok connectors with your own wires.
6. Pass these wires to the radio area and connect them to the SWC and GND leads on the radio. My radio used bullet plugs which I crimped on the wires for a nice connection.
7. Connect the rest of the radio connections as usual and reconnect the battery

These instructions only work if your radio has a built-in steering wheel control interface. Most do not and need a separate active adapter.

Brilliant!!

Thanks Eric, ️️️ great instructions, and it looks like I managed to inadvertently buy the right stereo for the job.
I feel confident at getting it fitted Over Christmas now!

Thanks so much for taking the time to write those, I'm sure others will find them and use them too.

Becky.

Hi Guys.

Sorry to resurrect this, but I've just pulled the stereo and it's not ISO!

Any idea what adapter I need?

Thanks

I have one from a BMW 330 that fits, but im sure if you search "freelander to iso" on ebay you will find what you nedd