Fiat 500 Standard Radio Converted to Fiat Sirius Satellite Radio.

[Aussie Joe]

I took the easy way out. I'm using the XM Sirius app through the USB and my iPhone. I have grandfathered unlimited LTE, and it works fine while I'm in the city.

[Burkett1983]

Can someone tell me what type of fakra adapter this requires?

[Mike_d_s]

Ok, my first contribution to the forum. Bought a 2013 Sport for my wife as a fun toy. She loves satellite radio, so I did a little googling and came across this thread.

I followed the guidance posted by Elmishino and it was simple. Got the used satellite head unit off of Ebay for $90 shipped, sirius XM antenna from Amazon for $20 and the fakra to smb adapter for $10. Links for both below. I could have probably trimmed the cost down a bit by looking harder for the antenna and faker adapter for a cheaper price. Overall cost was $120 and when I went to the sirius website I was able to get a 2 month free trial for the used car.

fakra to smb connector: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Sirius antenna: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Installation was essentially as easy as pulling any other radio. Follow Elmishino's instructions and it's easy to do. Because I have giant gorilla paws for hands, I couldn't put the antenna up on top of the radio between the two AC ducts. So I settled for placing off to the side of one of the ducts, then I ran the cable over the top of one duct and under the next duct to keep a little tension on it and packed a small piece of foam next to the antenna to reduce any potential rattle.

Plug everything into the new radio and fire it up to test and all was good except initially the steering wheel volume controls didn't work. After starting the car a few times the steering wheel controls came to life.

Only problem I have now is the odometer is flashing, which I understand means I have to take it in to the dealer to have the radio and car paired?

Additionally, when I removed the old radio, the flashers started flashing and I thought I had tripped some type of anti-theft feature. But then I just realized my dumb self accidentally pressed the hazard flasher buttons when I let the radio hang down to disconnect the wires.

Total time including signing up for the 2 month free trial and waiting for the activation signal on the radio about 35 no hurry minutes.

Super easy to do and totally worth it. Only downside was the radio I got from eBay had worn volume control buttons so I'll have to do a little surgery and either repaint them of apply some of those aftermarket stickers. They had good images and I knew the buttons were worn when I ordered it, so it wasn't a seller issue.

Now all I've got to do it swap out one TPMS sensor and put new tires on it and we're off to the races.

Thanks to Elmishino for his great post.

Mike

[Southernroadrunner]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your purchase

[Fiat500USA]

Ok, my first contribution to the forum. Bought a 2013 Sport for my wife as a fun toy. She loves satellite radio, so I did a little googling and came across this thread.

I followed the guidance posted by Elmishino and it was simple. Got the used satellite head unit off of Ebay for $90 shipped, sirius XM antenna from Amazon for $20 and the fakra to smb adapter for $10. Links for both below. I could have probably trimmed the cost down a bit by looking harder for the antenna and faker adapter for a cheaper price. Overall cost was $120 and when I went to the sirius website I was able to get a 2 month free trial for the used car.

fakra to smb connector: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Sirius antenna: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Installation was essentially as easy as pulling any other radio. Follow Elmishino's instructions and it's easy to do. Because I have giant gorilla paws for hands, I couldn't put the antenna up on top of the radio between the two AC ducts. So I settled for placing off to the side of one of the ducts, then I ran the cable over the top of one duct and under the next duct to keep a little tension on it and packed a small piece of foam next to the antenna to reduce any potential rattle.

Plug everything into the new radio and fire it up to test and all was good except initially the steering wheel volume controls didn't work. After starting the car a few times the steering wheel controls came to life.

Only problem I have now is the odometer is flashing, which I understand means I have to take it in to the dealer to have the radio and car paired?

Additionally, when I removed the old radio, the flashers started flashing and I thought I had tripped some type of anti-theft feature. But then I just realized my dumb self accidentally pressed the hazard flasher buttons when I let the radio hang down to disconnect the wires.

Total time including signing up for the 2 month free trial and waiting for the activation signal on the radio about 35 no hurry minutes.

Super easy to do and totally worth it. Only downside was the radio I got from eBay had worn volume control buttons so I'll have to do a little surgery and either repaint them of apply some of those aftermarket stickers. They had good images and I knew the buttons were worn when I ordered it, so it wasn't a seller issue.

Now all I've got to do it swap out one TPMS sensor and put new tires on it and we're off to the races.

Thanks to Elmishino for his great post.

Mike

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your Sport. Thanks for posting this info.

[dannyt2]

Just want to say this worked so well. I have shared it with the dealership that kept my car for a month eventually saying it will cost over $1000 to do the conversion. $55.00 later I have my xm radio. (50 for the radio 5.00 for the fraka connector. Thanks again..................................

[eric1514]

Bumping this thread with a related question.

My wife and I purchased a 2013 Fiat 500 with the standard radio in cream color but sadly it is not Sirius/XM capable. I have found a unit with the satellite goodies in the radio but the radio is black. So my question is, is it possible to change the faceplates on these units? It looks like the buttons are all part of a module that snaps into place and relays the button presses through a multipin connector. Anybody taken their radio apart this far?

TIA,
Eric

[eric1514]

So I found an ivory colored satellite radio and installed it but I removed it a couple hours later. The radio I had came with the ability to change EQ settings and had a loudness option. The radio actually sounds really good. The satellite replacement has none of that and frankly sounds awful. Wish I had known that before I spent $100 on a radio and antenna.

[ephodges]

I know this is an old thread, but could someone recommend the fakra connector needed for this?

Is this what I need? https://www.amazon.com/Satellite-Rad...4578137&sr=8-3

[sportfan]

I did it the cheap and easy way. I use a Sirius tuner attached to a fake soda can that sits in my cup holder between the seats. The antenna sits on the dash by the windshield and power adapter plugged into extra cig plug under the seat. Most of the wiring is hidden under a dash mat, carpet, or the seat. It doesn't take much time to change it to another car. This is on my 13' Sport.DSCF5046.jpg