Head Unit

[Willie]

Hi All, does anyone know what the white coloured socket on the left hand side of the unit is for. Many Thanks in advance.

 

[BOB353]

Looks like it is a coaxial cable connector with centre pin and outer circular ring so could be the radio antenna or GPS connection.

Just curious as to why you have taken it out.

Is it the 10.1" flat screen?

Are you planning to replace it and if so what with?

 

[hmadsen]

Looks like it is a coaxial cable connector with centre pin and outer circular ring so could be the radio antenna or GPS connection.

Just curious as to why you have taken it out.

Is it the 10.1" flat screen?

Are you planning to replace it and if so what with?

Looks to me like the old 1.gen infotainment, the 2.gen looks different if this ebay listing is anything to go by.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/31696508...mkcid=28&google_free_listing_action=view_item

Hi All, does anyone know what the white coloured socket on the left hand side of the unit is for. Many Thanks in advance.

White connector is usually FM/AM radio antenna.

 

[BOB353]

Looking at the photos on the eBay link, the white connector has 4 pins the same as the blue one.

 

[Willie]

White connector is usually FM/AM radio antenna.

It can't be for the AM/FM radio antenna because my white socket is (empty) unused, and my radio works perfectly. I thought it was for the reversing camera coaxial cable as my car doesn't have that facility fitted. Hence the reason I'm asking the question.

 

[BOB353]

It can't be for the AM/FM radio antenna because my white socket is (empty) unused, and my radio works perfectly. I thought it was for the reversing camera coaxial cable as my car doesn't have that facility fitted. Hence the reason I'm asking the question.

You could be right as a camera has 4 wire, 2 for power and 2 for the camera video signal.

 

[Willie]

You could be right as a camera has 4 wire, 2 for power and 2 for the camera video signal.

BOB353, that's what I was thinking but I'm not sure.

 

[Willie]

Not being disrespectful but I thought someone in this forum would give me an answer to my question.

 

[BOB353]

Not being disrespectful but I thought someone in this forum would give me an answer to my question.

To be fair, I doubt that anybody knows, maybe you need to visit a car stereo installation mob as they might know. I had my best guess but it is based on my earlier cars and mostly my old D-Max which I replaced the Clarion head unit for a 10.1" Android flat screen . Over the 10+ years that I had it I managed to gain a fare bit of data on the car mostly from Workshop Manuals I was able to download from the net but unfortunately I have not found the same for the MG ZS EV hence my best guess.

I don't know if anyone has changed out their Infotainment Unit for another mainly because the the one that comes with it is so tied into the running of the car and I doubt you would get the same functionality out of another head unit.

If anyone knows differently I would love to hear from them on how it works.

In fact I just did a google on "what is the blue 4 pin connector on the rear of a infotainment unit for" and found no images to match your photo.

The AI Overview came up with this - "The blue 4-pin connector is a standard control wire on car infotainment units, primarily for power antenna control or external amplifier turn-on. It outputs a 12-volt signal when the infotainment system is active to raise a power antenna or to activate a factory or aftermarket amplifier. Some units may have a separate blue wire with a white stripe that is specifically for the amplifier, while a solid blue wire is usually for the power antenna."

 

[Roldorf]

Not being disrespectful but I thought someone in this forum would give me an answer to my question.

Don't you just hate it when someone uses that. Maybe no one knows, after all most people have a seven year warranty and have never had to pull their car apart yet.

 

[fred12345]

Not being disrespectful but I thought someone in this forum would give me an answer to my question.

Not many (if anyone at all) ever seen behind the infotainment screen, let alone played with the unit. More chance getting a discussion going if you post what are you trying to achieve. Are you trying to swap the units and why? Or want to add rear view camera?
I don't know if that might help you but there is a service manual available to download from MG for a small fee. If you are planning to do some work on your car including the infotainment unit, that's your best bet.

 

[BOB353]

More chance getting a discussion going if you post what are you trying to achieve.

Hi Fred, I tried that question in my first reply and did not get an answer but am still interested to find out.

Just curious as to why you have taken it out.

Is it the 10.1" flat screen?

Are you planning to replace it and if so what with?

 

[Willie]

Not many (if anyone at all) ever seen behind the infotainment screen, let alone played with the unit. More chance getting a discussion going if you post what are you trying to achieve. Are you trying to swap the units and why? Or want to add rear view camera?
I don't know if that might help you but there is a service manual available to download from MG for a small fee. If you are planning to do some work on your car including the infotainment unit, that's your best bet.

Hi Fred, many thanks for the input, yes I was thinking about retro fitting a reversing camera. I will download the service manual.

 

[fred12345]

Hi Fred, many thanks for the input, yes I was thinking about retro fitting a reversing camera. I will download the service manual.

To be honest, if I were you in your shoes, I would probably not bother. Lot of work with uncertain result...

I'm looking at a dashcam that replaces drivers mirror and comes with rear camera too. So you can actually see front and/or rear camera view in the "mirror" or switch it off and use as mirror only. Plenty on AliExpress for about £40 or so... Check it out, might be easier way to get rear view ...

 

[Willie]

To be honest, if I were you in your shoes, I would probably not bother. Lot of work with uncertain result...

I'm looking at a dashcam that replaces drivers mirror and comes with rear camera too. So you can actually see front and/or rear camera view in the "mirror" or switch it off and use as mirror only. Plenty on AliExpress for about £40 or so... Check it out, might be easier way to get rear view ...

Hi Fred, you're quite right, I was slowly going off the idea anyway, without identifying the correct camera / FICM connection it was to much a risk. Many thanks for your help and info. Kind Regards, Willie