Ask the Car People.SM


Subaru Forester: Audio & Entertainment Systems

67 messages,  Last post on Nov 17, 2011 at 9:12 AM

You are in the Subaru Forester Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Wagon

Messages Page 7 of 7

#59 of 67 XM kit installation by medic481

Aug 21, 2010 (8:23 am)

I just installed the XM module and antenna in my 2010 Forester. It was really painless, taking about 1 hour or so. Subaru provides all the parts you'll need, and everything fits perfectly, without any adjustments needed. The instructions they provide are like the ones you get at Ikea, pictures with no words. If you aren't good with interpreting drawings like this, you may want to get someone to help, as some of the illustrations can be a little confusing to figure out. The antenna installation is the dicey part- you have to remove a trim clip on the driver's side A post by inserting a screwdriver underthe airbag assembly, being very careful not to damage it. If you do, it will have to be replaced, meaning $$$$. To remove the interior trim, order a set of nylon trim removal tools from JC Whitney (still the best) for about $15 bucks. They won't leave marks on the plastic trim. I had the radio up and running in no time, and it sounds great. I ordered the kit online from Subaru parts mall for $318. The dealer wanted close to $500 to install it. Next project: installing the tweeter speaker kit in the doors.

#60 of 67 Hoping for help installing Sirius in 2010 Forester by jm815

Aug 26, 2010 (12:57 pm)

Hi, my girlfriend just bought a 2010 Forester yesterday. She has a Sirius subscription, but didn't get the factory Sirius stereo setup. Instead of her going back to her old FM transmitter listening option, I am looking to buy her a Sirius tuner (Model SC-C1) and connect it to the factory receiver.
 
From what I learned through Subaru & Crutchfield, the stereo is made by Kenwood, but the standard Kenwood connection kit won't work. Some sort of special adapter or connector is needed. I've struggled to get any response from the dealer - much less any actual information - on this adapter or its availability through Subaru.
 
Has anyone else encountered or heard of the issue I've described? If so, I'd really appreciate any information you could provide on the adapter and/or where I might look to find one. I saw some references to XM on 2010 Foresters, but nothing about Sirius.
 
Thanks,
 
John

#61 of 67 Re: Hoping for help installing Sirius in 2010 Forester [jm815] by medic481

Aug 27, 2010 (8:01 pm)

Replying to: jm815 (Aug 26, 2010 12:57 pm)
Hi there- I just installed the XM kit (read my post above), and it was pretty easy. Subaru makes a Sirius kit, if thats your choice. You can order it from Subarupartsmall.com. They are actually a dealer that sells accessories on the 'net. You will find the price much cheaper than your local dealer, especially if you install it yourself. It took my about an hour and a half to do the job, and everything fit quite nicely. I just got the tweeter speaker kit and installed that this afternoon, a 10 minute job, tops, and the difference in the sound is amazing. I recommend installing those as well, they are about $71.00. Good luck!

#62 of 67 Re: 2009 forester, audio/speakers upgrade [red927] by aloha88

Mar 04, 2011 (2:50 pm)

Replying to: red927 (Oct 01, 2008 5:33 pm)
I have '10 Forester Premium w/o cd changer. What site can I order changer or must I get whole audio system replaced? thanks for researching this for me--Jeff

#63 of 67 Re: 2009 forester, audio/speakers upgrade [aloha88] by ateixeira

Mar 04, 2011 (4:29 pm)

Replying to: aloha88 (Mar 04, 2011 2:50 pm)
Too bad Edmunds doesn't have a classified section...

#64 of 67 Electrical Problems by goc78

Sep 24, 2011 (6:18 am)

I have an 09 Forester and I wanted to upgrade the stereo. So I did so with an Alpine deck. Everything went together just fine, but it seems like the idle was a little low afterward. In fact, the first time I drove the car after I installed the stereo, the car idled so low that it cut off. A long time ago I had a similar problem (although it was consistently off and on) with a Jeep Wrangler that I put an Alpine deck into. Does anyone have any idea what could have happened?
 
One thing I was really wondering if anyone know about was the extra little plug that went into the back of the factory stereo. There was the one that has the factory wire harness, which needs the adapter for the Alpine deck, but there was a second one with, I believe, 4 wires that I had no place to plug into. Is that thing important to the electrical system in any way? In an 03 Pontiac I once owned, you had to do some extravagant wiring in order to keep the factory stereo in the loop, but non-functional in the stereo scope. Has anyone heard of something like that for Subarus?
 
It seems like there are a lot of posts with people who have happily and with no problems replaced the stereo. So this really seemed strange...
 
Thanks in advance

#65 of 67 Re: Electrical Problems [goc78] by dave87120

Nov 16, 2011 (9:30 pm)

Replying to: goc78 (Sep 24, 2011 6:18 am)
Not me. That's way out of my knowledge base. But the radio upgrade idea brings a question to mind.....I wonder if Subaru has a hard drive based radio option for Forester.

#66 of 67 Re: Electrical Problems [dave87120] by ateixeira

Nov 17, 2011 (7:56 am)

Replying to: dave87120 (Nov 16, 2011 9:30 pm)
No, but do you really want your music to reside in your car? What do you do when you trade it in?
 
If you must have it, the opening is double-DIN so easy to find aftermarket stuff cheap.

#67 of 67 Re: Electrical Problems [ateixeira] by goc78

Nov 17, 2011 (9:12 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Nov 17, 2011 7:56 am)
That's easy, I don't trade it in. I plan on driving this thing until the wheels fall off. That is why I was concerned. However, I noticed that the air filter was really dirty which caused a loss of power and it affected the idle. I think that along with re-starting the computers after I had the battery disconnected for the installation caused the problem.

Messages Page 7 of 7

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement