DIY: Installing an AUXILIARY input
04-28-2010, 07:54 PM
#1
The Box
Thread Starter
DIY: Installing an AUXILIARY input
With technology changing, I wanted to put in an AUX input in the RL. Couldn't find too much information on how to do it. With some help from fellow AZ members, I got it done.
Tools needed: 11mm socket and a screwdriver
Time: 1-2 hours
Cost: $42 for the PIA adapter and $10 for RCA-3.5mm cable
Items needed: PIA HON-AUX auxiliary RCA audio input
http://www.installer.com/item/displa...php?it=HON-AUX
You will also need a 3.5mm - RCA adapter
FIRST STEP: Make sure you take your CD's out of the cd changer, I believe it becomes inoperable once you unplug it.
Starting out:
Your dash
Remove the side triangular panels, there is a bolt on each side you'll need to remove
Remove the shifter wood grain piece
Once you remove that, there will be two screws and two bolts that you'll need to remove (missing a picture of them but you'll see it once you're in there)
Once you remove the two side bolts, two bolts under the ashtray and two screws, you just have to unclip 4 clips up on top. BE VERY CAREFUL I broke all 4 of mine and will need to get in there to glue some stuff up at another time (I was running out of day light and the garage has my new cabinets in there and I can't pull in until I install them)
Here is the CD changer cable, you need to take that out
Here it is with the one that comes with the PIA unit
Mess
Plug in the PIA unit in place of the cd changer. Now it should work when you plug the 3.5mm plug into an audio source (GPS, phone, ipod, etc.)
I ran the cable out of one of the triangular pieces, still deciding what I want to do with it. I may leave as is since I'll be using a GPS, my phone for Pandora streaming and my iPod at times.
Here it is all done, playing Pandora from my Palm Pre on the factory radio. My GPS is coming in tomorrow, I'm excited to see how that MP3 player and bluetooth will work.
If it wasn't for the 4 clips breaking, this would have been a very simple project. Should have been more careful like Old Hatch said.
Good luck.
Sticky?
Tools needed: 11mm socket and a screwdriver
Time: 1-2 hours
Cost: $42 for the PIA adapter and $10 for RCA-3.5mm cable
Items needed: PIA HON-AUX auxiliary RCA audio input
http://www.installer.com/item/displa...php?it=HON-AUX
You will also need a 3.5mm - RCA adapter
FIRST STEP: Make sure you take your CD's out of the cd changer, I believe it becomes inoperable once you unplug it.
Starting out:
Your dash
Remove the side triangular panels, there is a bolt on each side you'll need to remove
Remove the shifter wood grain piece
Once you remove that, there will be two screws and two bolts that you'll need to remove (missing a picture of them but you'll see it once you're in there)
Once you remove the two side bolts, two bolts under the ashtray and two screws, you just have to unclip 4 clips up on top. BE VERY CAREFUL I broke all 4 of mine and will need to get in there to glue some stuff up at another time (I was running out of day light and the garage has my new cabinets in there and I can't pull in until I install them)
Here is the CD changer cable, you need to take that out
Here it is with the one that comes with the PIA unit
Mess
Plug in the PIA unit in place of the cd changer. Now it should work when you plug the 3.5mm plug into an audio source (GPS, phone, ipod, etc.)
I ran the cable out of one of the triangular pieces, still deciding what I want to do with it. I may leave as is since I'll be using a GPS, my phone for Pandora streaming and my iPod at times.
Here it is all done, playing Pandora from my Palm Pre on the factory radio. My GPS is coming in tomorrow, I'm excited to see how that MP3 player and bluetooth will work.
If it wasn't for the 4 clips breaking, this would have been a very simple project. Should have been more careful like Old Hatch said.Good luck.
Sticky?
The following 5 users liked this post by vas25tl:
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kc2k5champ (08-16-2014),
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Vernondo (10-17-2023)
04-28-2010, 08:53 PM
#2
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Stuck 
04-29-2010, 08:36 AM
#4
The Box
Thread Starter
I guess it's a little more difficult because of a different connector.
Here's some info from Old Hatch from the other thread on aux inputs
Here's some info from Old Hatch from the other thread on aux inputs
Now for the 96-03 RL WITH NAV it gets a little harder.
There are currently NO plug and play adapters for us. The reason being is that the nav models use a strange configuration 12 pin din cable. Ive seen this configuration on older fm modulated cd changers and extension modules for Kenwoods Pioneers etc. I belive this cable was phased out by manufactureres in favor of the BUS type (ai-net) cables that currently Sony/Alpine etc etc use to connect their head units to cd changers and expansion packs
Dont feel sadened if you do have a 96-03 with nav RL. There is hope. Now even though the nav versions use a different 12 pin connector cable they only use 8 of the actual wires in the cable.
From what I have found out the connections are exactly the same minus the connector end type. What this means is that if you know the color code or the pinout of the cd changer cable on the nav models you can wire in an aux in module or ipod module through the cd changer port like the non nav model RL's.
I have yet to finish this, but my plans are to make a module that will let me add an ipod connection module through the cd changer port, while still being able to switch back to cd changer when I please via solid state type switch. Havent started on this, but when I get it all figured out I'll post up the info or how to of sorts.
There are currently NO plug and play adapters for us. The reason being is that the nav models use a strange configuration 12 pin din cable. Ive seen this configuration on older fm modulated cd changers and extension modules for Kenwoods Pioneers etc. I belive this cable was phased out by manufactureres in favor of the BUS type (ai-net) cables that currently Sony/Alpine etc etc use to connect their head units to cd changers and expansion packs
Dont feel sadened if you do have a 96-03 with nav RL. There is hope. Now even though the nav versions use a different 12 pin connector cable they only use 8 of the actual wires in the cable.
From what I have found out the connections are exactly the same minus the connector end type. What this means is that if you know the color code or the pinout of the cd changer cable on the nav models you can wire in an aux in module or ipod module through the cd changer port like the non nav model RL's.
I have yet to finish this, but my plans are to make a module that will let me add an ipod connection module through the cd changer port, while still being able to switch back to cd changer when I please via solid state type switch. Havent started on this, but when I get it all figured out I'll post up the info or how to of sorts.
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slnsktk1 (09-10-2013)
04-29-2010, 10:25 AM
#6
The Box
Thread Starter
^You can pull them out but if you remove the bottom panel around the shifter (very easy to do so), you can get in there and push them out if you can't do it by just pulling.
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05-15-2010, 05:06 PM
#9
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thanks for the diy i been trying to take out my factory radio from my 2002 rl for like a week didnt know about the screws on the side by the triangle pieces took out shifter assembly and couldnt go any further
07-04-2010, 04:31 PM
#13
Good job looks great! Can someone please give me the instructions how to tear apart the dash of 1999 acura rl with navi? I really need it as soon as possible, any help is greatly appreciate it!
07-06-2010, 08:20 AM
#14
The Box
Thread Starter
Thanks everyone! It was a fun project, still haven't gone back in to fix it.
bonus - it should be exactly the same, you need to take the side bolts out and remove the bolts under the ashtray, that should make it come right out.
bonus - it should be exactly the same, you need to take the side bolts out and remove the bolts under the ashtray, that should make it come right out.
08-11-2010, 10:47 AM
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08-15-2010, 10:10 AM
#20
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In the next few months I am getting a setup from this place http://www.installer.com/cars/by_car.php?carid=67 the IS75 has RCA / connector for the ipod and can also charge the ipod, and I will need the FMM100 to connect the IS75 to my radio...you will still be able to use your cd changer ,xm radio functions, and navi (for the 04 RL)
08-15-2010, 04:11 PM
#21
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btw, all you really need is a 10 mm socket with an extension or two, not the 11mm one. Most toyota and honda products seem to use quite a few 10 mm bolts, esp when removing the radios.
I didn't need to use a screwdriver to disassemble either.
I didn't need to use a screwdriver to disassemble either.
08-20-2010, 03:32 AM
#22
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The project for my car is a little more complex from what i have read. i am trying to put my previous sound sytem in my 97RL. this includes deck, sub, 6 speakers, 2 amps. I could not find a aftermarket dashkit for my car. i was wondering if any1 has put in and aftermarket deck into their first gen RL. i know this is supposed to b a "luxury" car but i have a luxury sound system haha. RL veterns i would love some advice and tips!
08-20-2010, 02:43 PM
#23
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bah, i ordered a car charger for my ipod and i can't have the charger and the 3.5 mm jack plugged in at the same time. I can prob shave down both to fit or just use one at a time.
I really like the adaptor. I don't have any engine feedback throught the speakers.
I really like the adaptor. I don't have any engine feedback throught the speakers.
08-20-2010, 05:32 PM
#24
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The project for my car is a little more complex from what i have read. i am trying to put my previous sound sytem in my 97RL. this includes deck, sub, 6 speakers, 2 amps. I could not find a aftermarket dashkit for my car. i was wondering if any1 has put in and aftermarket deck into their first gen RL. i know this is supposed to b a "luxury" car but i have a luxury sound system haha. RL veterns i would love some advice and tips!
08-20-2010, 07:19 PM
#25
The older RL's are a little more complicated since there radio goes from side to side of the center dash. They dont have a wood surround with a small hole to fill.
I figure the easiest way would be to take your oem radio and cut the hole you need in the middle and fill whatever holes are left in the oem radio face. You would have to sacrifice your oem radio, but getting that whole piece fabbed would be time consuming to say the least.
I figure the easiest way would be to take your oem radio and cut the hole you need in the middle and fill whatever holes are left in the oem radio face. You would have to sacrifice your oem radio, but getting that whole piece fabbed would be time consuming to say the least.
11-08-2010, 12:44 PM
#32
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Great write up..! Can you tell me if the aux input is the same for sirius satellite portable. I'm presently suffering with a tape deck input...thanks for any info you can give me, Lou
11-13-2010, 08:20 PM
#35
The Box
Thread Starter
I set mine up so that there's a 3.5mm plug that comes out. I can plug in anything I want that way. I've even used my iPad for music in the car before.
Thanks
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kc2k5champ (08-16-2014)
