Go Back   The 75 and ZT Owners Club Forums > The 75 and ZT Owners Club Forums > I.C.E. Forum
Register FAQ Image Gallery Members List Calendar Mark Forums Read
Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 29th July 2020, 07:52   #1
Ash58k
Newbie
 
Rover 75 Tourer

Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 3
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default Replacing High Line system with Harmony (downgrade)

Hi,

I am new to the forum and own a 2002 Tourer Connie Se with the high line audio pack.

I recently have been having several electrical gremlins with the car including losing the radio/cassete/cdplayer from appearing on the Tv screen. After reading through the FAQs, it led me to discover that my boot was indeed full of water and has damaged either one or both of the 2 modules that are located there. I am struggling to find replacements and am a bit reluctant to replace both items (with no gurantee it would fix the problem).

After browsing ebay I know it is possible to pick up the more basic 'Harmony' units cheaply. My question is would it be possible to remove the highline face unit from the front of the car and fit a harmony unit into its place?

I am not worried about losing the satnav/tv/cd player but really miss having a radio! I know there is lots of information about 'upgrading' from harmony spec to highline but not anything about going the other way?

Any advice would be appreciated, Thanks
Ash58k is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29th July 2020, 09:11   #2
BRG75
Gets stuck in
 
BRG75's Avatar
 
Rover 75 Saloon & Tourer, 9th & 10th Rovers

Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Sevenoaks
Posts: 971
Thanks: 670
Thanked 290 Times in 195 Posts
Default

I believe that I can answer your question, as I have recently researched Harmony to Symphony, with CD Changer; resulting in some notes on wiring looms and connector types.

In a nutshell, yes you should be able to do it.

The Harmony, and the High Line Radio units both use the BMW / MGR single round pin connector. However, as you have stated, the Harmony is mounted in the centre console; whilst the High Line (radio unit) is mounted in the boot (saloon) or rear (Tourer)

Is there an extender loom, behind the head unit position, which goes to the back of the car?

If there is, unplug it; then connect a harmony unit in it’s place, and you should be working.

If there isn’t, you will have to cut the plug from the back of the car, and relocate it into the loom, behind the head unit. This would involve solder and heat shrink tubing.

Other than safely securing the other connectors that you will no longer be using, that should be it.

It would be prudent to plug the harmony into the boot / rear first, to check that it is working.

From my understanding, the steering wheel controls should be working. There may also be a K bus wire, but the Harmony doesn’t use this, so simply isolate it.

NB
The high line head unit is made by Alpine, but the radio module is actually Phillips, as is the Harmony.


Regards

Mike
__________________
Presently
2004 75 CDTi auto Connoisseur Tourer - White Gold
2001 75 2.5 auto Connoisseur Saloon - White Gold

Previously
2002 75 1.8 auto Club SE,
2000 75 1.8 auto Classic SE (Company Car)
1997 420 (Company Car)
1996 216 cabriolet,
198? 213 VDP
1986 SD1 V8 VDP,
1968 2000TC,
1966 2000.
BRG75 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29th July 2020, 09:25   #3
raykay
I really should get out more.......
 
Now Other Manufacturer

Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Co. Kerry
Posts: 2,786
Thanks: 16
Thanked 310 Times in 283 Posts
Default

There is a 17 pin BMW connector at the back of the centre console behind the ashtray/aircon panel into which the various audio units connect to the car loom, it would just need a short extension lead, (17 pin plug on one end, 17 pin socket on the other) from there to plug into the Harmony unit.

Last edited by raykay; 29th July 2020 at 09:29..
raykay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29th July 2020, 14:11   #4
BRG75
Gets stuck in
 
BRG75's Avatar
 
Rover 75 Saloon & Tourer, 9th & 10th Rovers

Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Sevenoaks
Posts: 971
Thanks: 670
Thanked 290 Times in 195 Posts
Default

Hi Ray
So that short extension cable won't be in Ashley's car, as it was built with a High Line Nav. System; but is probably the most common ICE Loom to be found, in the numerous cars being broken.

It also means my suggestion is null and void, as the cable extending to the rear, originates behind the ash tray, and not behind the radio position.

Actually not null and void, but a more complicated route, than sourcing the short extension cable.

This ICE thing is all good fun.

Regards

Mike
__________________
Presently
2004 75 CDTi auto Connoisseur Tourer - White Gold
2001 75 2.5 auto Connoisseur Saloon - White Gold

Previously
2002 75 1.8 auto Club SE,
2000 75 1.8 auto Classic SE (Company Car)
1997 420 (Company Car)
1996 216 cabriolet,
198? 213 VDP
1986 SD1 V8 VDP,
1968 2000TC,
1966 2000.

Last edited by BRG75; 29th July 2020 at 14:21..
BRG75 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29th July 2020, 14:26   #5
raykay
I really should get out more.......
 
Now Other Manufacturer

Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Co. Kerry
Posts: 2,786
Thanks: 16
Thanked 310 Times in 283 Posts
Default

Yes, it may be worth checking if the existing connector will reach the Harmony unit, if not, an extension lead is needed and may be in a car that had a Harmony stereo, those that had a Symphony stereo or a single DIN stereo will have a BMW to ISO adapter lead instead.

Last edited by raykay; 29th July 2020 at 14:32..
raykay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29th July 2020, 21:32   #6
Ash58k
Newbie
 
Rover 75 Tourer

Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 3
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Thanks for the comments and suggestions so far. I appreciate it.
Ash58k is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 13:53.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright © 2006-2023, The Rover 75 & MG ZT Owners Club Ltd