Replacement Stereo & Leaving Battery Disconnected

[Sumilidon]

Hi all.

I have 2 questions I am hoping people can help with. My Z3 has a stereo which requires a code. Interestingly, it's not a BMW Stereo, it's from a Nissan Micra. As such, I'm keen to swap it out as it's sitting in the dock loose (those stereos screwed in from the side, this has no way to be mounted) and annoyingly it says "Nissan" when it powers up.

1st Question: Will the code situation cause any kind of issue with the immobiliser etc? I ask as this comes with a card from an auto electrician who put it in. The card has the code. Normally I would just think it's a straight swap which it certainly looks like - but why use an auto electrician to do it.....??? It's got me paranoid so best to check.

2nd Question: When the car is sitting for a long time unused, would disconnecting the battery cause any issues? I used to do this with my MK1 and MK2.5 MX5s with no issue but those are much simpler cars without immobilisers or alarms. I am currently just topping up the battery from the charger each week but as with the old MX5, disconnecting the battery is just so much more convenient. To add further context, the car is sitting in my garage during this time.

Any help appreciated.

 

[mwpe]

I can't see leaving the battery disconnected will cause problems but I think you would be better putting a battery conditioner like a C-tek on it. My preferred option is to take it out for an Italian tune up every week.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

The code should only matter to the stereo, I'd have thought. As for disconnecting the battery, as @mwpe suggests, you may be better off using a trickle charger type-of-thing, got a C-tek myself and it works, other chargers are available.

 

[Sumilidon]

Quick update. Got a stereo but the settings don’t remain after switching off the ignition. It’s a Pioneer so the connector is BMW to ISO and then the stereo has the 16 pin pinioned to ISO. Articles suggest because it’s not connect to continuous power but I’m confused how to do that beyond the current wiring adapters.

 

[Duncodin]

Behind the radio there'a a yellow cable. That one is permanently live. It's maybe connected but maybe the fuse has blown. Fuse 9 if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Sumilidon]

Behind the radio there'a a yellow cable. That one is permanently live. It's maybe connected but maybe the fuse has blown. Fuse 9 if I'm not mistaken.

Thanks. Finally got round to looking at it again this weekend and it seems the original harness had the red and yellow connected the wrong way round with some push-fit connectors. I am assuming the previous owner must have had his wired the other way round. Quick swap however and works a charm.

Question however still remains whether anyone here disconnects their battery while in storage and if so, does it cause any issues after a long period of time?

 

[Duncodin]

I don't disconnect mine. I prefer to keep the car moving. Winter. Dry day I take it out for a half an hour.

Others on here sorn their cars and use trickle chargers.

 

[Pond]

Question however still remains whether anyone here disconnects their battery while in storage and if so, does it cause any issues after a long period of time?

The battery has been physically out of my Z3 for nearly 5 months now. I need to re-connect it soon to see if the engine will run!
I don't anticipate any electrical problems from having the battery off. Mine might have some because I have half of the car removed!