MFD after new radio

[ADarkDividedGem]

I have a 2006 Berlingo and I am thinking of replacing my radio and aerial to support DAB and Bluetooth.

As far as I can tell this is possible but what happens to the multi function display on my center console? 

Currently it displays the name of the selected radio station but will this functionality get lost with a new radio? 
Will the display even still get power or will it just become a clock display when I plug in the new radio?

[Gryffindor]

Search the forum for past threads on this topic; there are a great many.

In short, DO NOT replace your radio because it is a major part of your car's brains. It is not just a radio.

It can be done of course, but you need to know exactly how.

Try searching with the keywords radio and MFD.

[ADarkDividedGem]

Try searching with the keywords radio and MFD.

Using the advanced search feature I searched for "radio MFD" in the M59 Berlingo subforum and only one result showed up and didn't answer my question.

I did find a thread on replacing the MFD and YouTube videos on installing a double DIN radio and single DIN radio and neither mention anything about the MFD or anything about it being a major part of the cars functionality. You even mention that last video in another thread saying you were tempted to have a go at replacing the radio. Did you ever go ahead with that idea?

All I know is that there are Audio Stereo Installation kits available that allow the new radio to be plugged into the antenna and volume controls on the steering wheel.

[Gryffindor]

Note I said keywords, not keyword. Try "radio" and then separately try "MFD".

No, I got more into adding cruise control, but the car died before it could get any upgrades.

[brodfather11]

I changed the basic head unit for a supposedly Australian android head (built in china). The central display unit was changed to a newer model of the display unit Pt no 9803399680, cos the sparse instructions with the head unit said the old central display Pt no 9665614580 wouldn't work. A  quick job just levered out and unplugged and new one put back in.  

It works but this is a 2010 B9 so whether it will work with your earlier model,  I don't know

[Sol]

Once you replace the radio then you lose access to the MFD, any control of it has gone and it will display the clock at most which can never be set properly again without extra equipment being added and which is expensive.

As @Gryffindor says, the factory radio is the CANBUS ECU for some of the body systems and it will reduce the functionality of the car when removed.

[brodfather11]

Its true if the battery is disconnected then the time on the MFD is wrong, its not a big loss but reconnecting the original radio it can be retimed and dated again.

I still have , mile to go before refuelling, fuel consumption, average fuel consumption and mileage to service just by pressing the button on the wiper stalk..

It may be because the headunit came with a canbus box which is prewired into the adapter loom.

[Gryffindor]

A canbus box eh? Intriguing!

[Sol]

Its true if the battery is disconnected then the time on the MFD is wrong, its not a big loss but reconnecting the original radio it can be retimed and dated again.

I still have , mile to go before refuelling,  fuel consumption, average fuel consumption  and mileage to service just by pressing the button on the wiper stalk..

It may be because the headunit came with a canbus box  which is prewired into the adapter loom.

The clock needs set twice a year. In March and October.