The RX8 headunit dilemna
Has now been solved. I don't know if you guys have tackled one of these yet but here is what I did to solve the issue. Tim so far has tackled the dash idea. The radio for the RX8 is modular. The amp / tuner module has a docking port for the mp3 cd or the indash 6 disc. Together they are in a double din bracket. Main harness plugs into the amp unit.
All radio controls and the main radio circuitry is attached to the dash bezel. The radio circuit screws onto the backside of the bezel and the double din unit docks to two ports on either side of the radio circuit. The double din unit is also bolted to the main radio bezel.
Mazda has looped the HVAC wires through the radio. On the top of the radio bezel is the hazard light switch, it is a 4 wire molex on the top center of the radio circuit.
At first I tried a relocation kit made of stranded cat5 wire to relocate the head unit and radio circuit to the rear of the vehicle. This entailed moving 2 14 pin molex's, a 4 pin molex, and a 12 pin molex. Fire the unit up and all sorts of resistance based issues.
So the unit needs to be mounted up front which is where it gets interesting. Cut the bottom out of the dash cavity, this is where the radio circuit is going to need to lie once attached to some abs. Next remove the main amplifier / tuner board out of the main module. You will have to wire the two units together pin to pin, about 36 wired IIRC, should need no more than 1 foot. I am going to mount the main board above the radio board after I remove the bottom of the cage of the double din unit (I have plans for the lower front portion of the area).
Now the HVAC controls may need to be extended to reach the main radio board, stock they were about 2" long IIRC. As mine had already been cut, I left myself with a 12" length. You should not have to extend the main display harness at all but it needs to be on the circuit. The hazard light switch needs to be lengthened at the same time.
Now the entire thing will not operate unless the main radio plug is also left plugged in. The entire thing goes dead when the main harnesses for the HVAC controls are unplugged as well. The only issue I have right now is the clock as the controls for it are now buried in the dash, this means set the thing as the very last thing to do or disconnect and reconnect the battery at 1:00. The last thing to do would be to relocate the switched from the main radio circuit to a location up under the dash somewhere.
Now I can go ahead and start cutting up his dash panel. Hope this helps you guys out in the future if you have not had the opportunity to do one yet. Major PITA, book tons of time for it.
All radio controls and the main radio circuitry is attached to the dash bezel. The radio circuit screws onto the backside of the bezel and the double din unit docks to two ports on either side of the radio circuit. The double din unit is also bolted to the main radio bezel.
Mazda has looped the HVAC wires through the radio. On the top of the radio bezel is the hazard light switch, it is a 4 wire molex on the top center of the radio circuit.
At first I tried a relocation kit made of stranded cat5 wire to relocate the head unit and radio circuit to the rear of the vehicle. This entailed moving 2 14 pin molex's, a 4 pin molex, and a 12 pin molex. Fire the unit up and all sorts of resistance based issues.
So the unit needs to be mounted up front which is where it gets interesting. Cut the bottom out of the dash cavity, this is where the radio circuit is going to need to lie once attached to some abs. Next remove the main amplifier / tuner board out of the main module. You will have to wire the two units together pin to pin, about 36 wired IIRC, should need no more than 1 foot. I am going to mount the main board above the radio board after I remove the bottom of the cage of the double din unit (I have plans for the lower front portion of the area).
Now the HVAC controls may need to be extended to reach the main radio board, stock they were about 2" long IIRC. As mine had already been cut, I left myself with a 12" length. You should not have to extend the main display harness at all but it needs to be on the circuit. The hazard light switch needs to be lengthened at the same time.
Now the entire thing will not operate unless the main radio plug is also left plugged in. The entire thing goes dead when the main harnesses for the HVAC controls are unplugged as well. The only issue I have right now is the clock as the controls for it are now buried in the dash, this means set the thing as the very last thing to do or disconnect and reconnect the battery at 1:00. The last thing to do would be to relocate the switched from the main radio circuit to a location up under the dash somewhere.
Now I can go ahead and start cutting up his dash panel. Hope this helps you guys out in the future if you have not had the opportunity to do one yet. Major PITA, book tons of time for it.
50 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 143
The RX8 and my Mazda6 have the same system. I was able to change my deck. It was alot of work though. Only because it had never been done, so I was working blind. I could do another one in 1/4 the time now.
But it is possible. I built a new circut board for my HVAC controls, and relocated the main board to under my drivers seat with a custom data cable. I think my cable had over 20 wires in it? I can't remeber exactly, it was over a year ago, but I do have some notes I took when doing it if you need any more info. I did not retain the upper display on mine though, I don't have the auto HVAC so the display was pointless. All I lost from it was the outside ambient temp.
Take a look Rob, mabey what I did might help? But no laughing at my cheesy website!
But it is possible. I built a new circut board for my HVAC controls, and relocated the main board to under my drivers seat with a custom data cable. I think my cable had over 20 wires in it? I can't remeber exactly, it was over a year ago, but I do have some notes I took when doing it if you need any more info. I did not retain the upper display on mine though, I don't have the auto HVAC so the display was pointless. All I lost from it was the outside ambient temp.
Take a look Rob, mabey what I did might help? But no laughing at my cheesy website!
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by CLUBCONCEPTS:
The RX8 and my Mazda6 have the same system. I was able to change my deck. It was alot of work though. Only because it had never been done, so I was working blind. I could do another one in 1/4 the time now.
But it is possible. I built a new circut board for my HVAC controls, and relocated the main board to under my drivers seat with a custom data cable. I think my cable had over 20 wires in it? I can't remeber exactly, it was over a year ago, but I do have some notes I took when doing it if you need any more info. I did not retain the upper display on mine though, I don't have the auto HVAC so the display was pointless. All I lost from it was the outside ambient temp.
Take a look Rob, mabey what I did might help? But no laughing at my cheesy website!
The RX8 and my Mazda6 have the same system. I was able to change my deck. It was alot of work though. Only because it had never been done, so I was working blind. I could do another one in 1/4 the time now.
But it is possible. I built a new circut board for my HVAC controls, and relocated the main board to under my drivers seat with a custom data cable. I think my cable had over 20 wires in it? I can't remeber exactly, it was over a year ago, but I do have some notes I took when doing it if you need any more info. I did not retain the upper display on mine though, I don't have the auto HVAC so the display was pointless. All I lost from it was the outside ambient temp.
Take a look Rob, mabey what I did might help? But no laughing at my cheesy website!
50 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 143
The RX8 should have an auto heating system, yes? Similar to the 6 GT, which should actually make it easier than my car. But your right, the main board out of the bottom of the main portion of the deck needs to be retained to keep the display and the HVAC system running. And there should be a board on the side of the deck behind a piece of metal that stays too.
Good luck! Make sure you post some pics when you get it figured.
Good luck! Make sure you post some pics when you get it figured.
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