warpedblue

Hi. I bought an rx8 a few days ago and the radio controls on the console don't work as well a sac controls. The only switches that work are the fan and 4-ways. I took of the radio faceplate and figured out that the pins are not connecting solidly, do it flashes on and off and I was just wondering if anyone knew how to get the pins to connect solidly. Every time I put it back on they are loose still. Also as a side note the LCD lit up before but didn't display any information and it flashed off and on with the radio, so are they connected the same way? If I get the faceplate connected properly should the LCD display information? I have never got it to do that yet. Unless it is a different issue in which case how do I fix that as well.

dxjp

Check to make sure the threaded inserts have not pulled out of the face plate. They need to be put in flush, and re glued. Then check the screw hole tabs on the radio, and make sure they are straight, maybe even bent back a bit to put some tension on.

The dash display plugs in the back of the radio, but you need the two connectors on the front plugged in to get the signal out. Mine used to flicker on off like that, the above is all I did to correct it. Sometimes I could push on the radio a bit and it would light back up again. This is how I knew it needed some help.

spoddyandthemazda

i am having the flat line no display problem too. i have taken the radio out but not fully out as cannot reach behind to disconnect the power supply. tried pushing the plug for the display in to see if it was loose but no difference.

today i took the radio out again and noticed the right side above the text button screw to the faceplate was sitting out a little, so tightened the screw and the other three screws to ensure the faceplate was tightly secured. pushed the radio unit back in and still no display.

the hazards/heater controls work fine, just no display. disconnected the battery negative cable for 5 mins and pumped the brakes, no difference.

so faceplate seems attached ok. all screws tightened to the radio ok. if someone can advise the best way to remove the radio power supply so i can remove the unit completely and ensure the faceplate is connecting ok, or remove the faceplate to clean the connectors i'd appreciate it.

thanks

spoddyandthemazda

ok took the center console out and all the bits to take the radio out again. figured out that you just need to pull the air vent above the radio out of the recess as after the two screws clips in place. i next took the screws out to take the dash speaker cover off, again it clips into place so had room to remove the display connector, noted the part details and reattached the display plug and noticed no pixels just a light red back ground, so it must be kaput.

will order one off ebay and reattach as now know how to get at the cables. pity mazda didn't add a little more power cable so you can pull the radio out more without having to remove half of the dash.

spoddyandthemazda

ok so bought a replacement radio display off ebay, fitted it today and all working again.
i removed the radio, unscrewed the four screws holding the faceplate on and cleaned the connectors that sit on the faceplate and connect to the cd chassis.

one of the screw grommets needed glued back into the plastic recess, so did that and fitted everything together and all is back to normal. so could see the radio stations, set the bass/treble and set the clock.

so its best getting a replacement display and checking the faceplate is secure to the CD chassis and that should solve the problems.