Saab 900 -96 cd

[elm]

Hi!
Someone said to me that only saab original cd-changers would fit my car, its a saab 900 -96.
Is that true?
And i heard that the car would be prepared for installing a cd-exchanger.
where do i find the cable?
I might have heard that the cable is on the same side as the antenna, is that right?
And if thats the case how do i get it out?

Many questions Hope you can answer them

[fog]

This info from www.saabnet.com/sites/richard.bevan/ should answer your questions:

"The Saab Audio System is already capable to controlling a 6 CD multi-player, the 900 head unit is made by Clarion who also make the CD changer supplied by Saab dealers. You can either buy this unit, or take a chance that one of the units sold by Clarion will work. The protocol is called Clarion C-Bus and I have the Clarion CDC605 fitted which works fine.

The Saab 9-3 will not accept third party CD changers, you have to use a Saab original part, since the head unit and changer communicate via a kind of LAN and have to be 'mated' via software to talk to each other. Only the Saab changer has this firmware - nothing else will work. The changer is made by pioneer instead of Clarion.

The CDC605 fits into the Saab cage, but it is now discontinued by Clarion. Any of their 6cd players will do, the CDC635 is a current model and I have had several reports that this works fine. Do not try any of the 12 or 18 disk models, the 900 head unit can only access the first six disks.

Whatever CD player you choose, Saab have made it very easy to add the player to the Saab Audio System 2. The car will already have the CD changer cable installed running from the head unit to the left side of the boot behind the trim panel.

You can mount the CD player either directly onto the floor of the boot (in which case you will have to drill holes in the floor), or buy the Saab CD player mounting kit which is a very strong steel cage that bolts to the side of the boot (mounting points are behind the trim of all cars) and which will protect the CD changer from blows. The cage holds the CD changer with little brackets that match up to the mounting holes in the side of the CD changer, the Clarion CDC605 has holes in exactly the right places and is a perfect fit. You should be able to find a Clarion for £250 in the UK, the Saab audio brochure lists £429 for the Saab multi player. The steel mounting cage is about £70"

[Rob Sandey]

I recently had a Clarion CDC634 fitted to my 96 Saab for £179.99. It works perfectly.
Don't suppose the UK souce will be much use to you but you should be able to get want you want without resorting to Saab dealer prices.
HTH
Cheers Rob

[joeuk]

Rob

Did your car already have the cable in that runs from the head unit to the boot?

Also was it fitted using the saab fxing cage (About £70 I am told?) If not how was the changer fixed into the car?

Thanks in anticipation!!

Joe

[Tigger II]

If you look in parts for sale I have a Clarion 6 disc CD changer taken out of my last 900 for sale - £90 ono.

[Rob Sandey]

Hi Joe
They fitted the cd changer with the standard brackets that came with it. Just screwed it to the boot floor. I was lucky my cable was already in postion in the boot on the left side. I think that the cable to the header is a standard fitment on my model Saab, couldn't realy comment about any others. I think that the cars PO had a cd fitted but must have taken it out before selling.
Cheers Rob

[saabmandan]

hey, go to autotoys.com and there is an OEM section with instructions on how to install and aftermarker Clarion CD changer in a 1998 Saab. THey also have an an OEM changer for $154 US that fits 900's 92-98.