Automobile Enthusiasts

and all I can tell you is that it sounds like a trip to the dealer. Car radios are an example of something that was a simple device in a car that has been made way overly complicated all in the name of "convenience and features". The good old basic radio, even with Sirius, just sat there in the dash and if it wasn't working you could check the fuse and if it had power but no stations, output etc. you could just pull the unit out of the dash with a couple of cheap release tongs, unplug the radio, plug in the replacement and slide it back in and away you go. If we go even further back it was a matter of pulling off the volume knob and tuning knob, taking off the retaining nuts and then the radio could be taken out by reaching up under the dash.

But not anymore. Now the "media center" issues usually require a trip to the dealer for all of the vague problems. No power can still be checked by looking at fuses but that's about it. So what was a fairly simple and low cost problem to resolve is now many hundreds of dollars in labor at the dealer and if they go to replace that head unit that part is not inexpensive by any means. Also it is not unheard of for people to have to go back multiple times during ownership of a "media center". It's really a cash cow for the dealer.

I have a used vehicle that has the "media center" with steering wheel controls. It never worked right according to the original owner. He didn't fuss with it and just listened to his music on his phone and a Blue Tooth speaker. I did a similar but more basic work around. I bought an old "knobs" AM/FM radio and hooked it up. I use external speakers rather than the vehicle speakers just for ease of making it all go together. I've got my little Sirius unit with the FM transmitter. So I just reach my hand out and turn the knob for power/volume, hit my power button on my Sirius remote and I'm in business and I can tell you it all cost me less than $200. If anything should go wrong it is all simple to get at and a simple system.

As far as linking your phone and having a screen for the vehicle cameras/GPS etc. you can do GPS on your phone and you can use the speakerphone feature also. The camera thing is workable on your phone also if you want to use cameras that are Blue Tooth. The cameras are relatively cheap and very basic to attach to the car.