Double Din Stereo on 2002 C3

Hi,I have recently been given my dads old 2002 C3 as my first car and I'd like to replace the old stereo which is starting to become faulty with a nice new aftermarket one. I have looked at several different radios but I really like a Clarion double din unit I've seen online

My C3 is the model which has a single din radio at the top and a little pull-out tray holder below it. After looking at other forums on here it seems thats its possible to remove both of these units and fit in a double din stereo instead. So, I decided to pull both units out to see how it looked and how it would fit before buying this new radio - After removal of both units there's a large hole which measures big enough for a double din radio, BUT the issue is that I'm left with two plastic pieces which stick out into the space where the new radio is meant to fit into. I've included a picture showing waht my space looks like.

I'm wondering if anyone has ever succesfully installed a double din in a C3 before and what I should I do about these plastic pieces which are sticking out. Is it possible for me to fit a double din unit, if so what do I need to do in order to get it fitted and are there any tools/parts that I would need.
Any help or advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Hi IeuanJones

IeuanJones wrote:BUT the issue is that I'm left with two plastic pieces which stick out into the space where the new radio is meant to fit into.

Just cut them off with a junior hacksaw or a knife.

IeuanJones wrote:Is it possible for me to fit a double din unit, if so what do I need to do in order to get it fitted and are there any tools/parts that I would need.

You will need to swap pins 4 and 7 of the ISO power plug for any aftermarket stereo, double din or single to work correctly.

Other than that, you should be set to go.

A Citroen option for the space at the bottom was a multi disc CD player, so there is enough room for a double din fitment.

Have a look here

Unlikely but just in case you fit an interface for the radio have a quick look here

Thank you for your quick reply. Just a quick follow-up, to be able to hook up my new radio to the C3's wiring, rather than swapping the pins over, would an adapter like this (https://ebay.eu/1O3I6rb) be ok?

Thanks, Ieuan

I would advise an adaptor, the Citroen wiring is non-standard.

There are two types of adaptor, a simple wiring type like the one in your link. If you fit this type you may want to look at the switched ignition supply. The signal normally used for this on the radio wiring is connected to the car's computer, you will find that the radio comes on when you open the door and goes off a few seconds after you close the car. You can easily pick up a true ignition live from other accessories eg the cigarette lighter.

The other alternative is a electronic adaptor, it will generate the missing ignition live signal, all you do is plug it in. If you have a trip computer or audio controls on the steering stalk you will need to fit this type if you want to retain these functions.

Thanks Lincss, so if I do go an buy that wiring adapter, it comes with a loose red wire which needs to be connected to a live feed. Would connecting this to the cigarette lighter be the best option, as its switched with the iginiton?

So long as you don't have factory remote audio controls or a trip computer, then yes, that would be fine.

Hi Again,

So I have just fitted in the radio, and all powers up and work fine, radio, cd, Aux all good. Only problem is that it does not power on/off with the ignition like the factory radio did when I either put the keys in or took them out. The radio does power down eventually but takes about two minutes after taking the keys out to turn off on its own!!

I've swapped the two pins 4 & 7 (as mentioned here and on other forms) on the car's connector but still no luck. Any ideas as to what the problem is?

Should I buy a PC2-32-4 ISO adapter and hook it up to an ignition feed to see if this works instead??

Any advice would be great, thanks!

If you haven't connected the ignition live wire on your adaptor to a true ignition live, eg the cigarette lighter then what you describe is normal. This is what I mentioned earlier in the topic.

When you make a new connection to a switched live you MUST ensure that you disconnect the existing wire on your adaptor from the car's wiring. Only the switch live in the adaptor needs to be changed, leave the other wires as they are.

Ok thanks a lot. I'll get that ISO adapter and see if that works. In terms of actually hooking it up to the cigarette ligher, how is this actually done? I took a look the centre panel off to take a look but. I'm just a bit confused as to where the live wire from the adapter is meant to go.