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DIY: Radio Removal / Add an AUX Input

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Old Mar 16, 2008 | 02:56 AM
  #76  
thew's Avatar
Thews8
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,535
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From: Oregon South Coast
Makes me all warm and fuzzy to see this thread.. and all the others that the Aux NAv input box monster i unleashed ...

I still get a kick out of my DVD / NAV ..
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Old Mar 16, 2008 | 02:58 AM
  #77  
thew's Avatar
Thews8
 
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Oregon South Coast
You are hearing the AC/engine noise from the alternator.
get a noise filter from Mazdaparts.com a good PIE unit.
http://www.mazdaparts.com/ProductDet...000-1151625270

Originally Posted by xsnipersgox
anyone know where i may have screwed up based on the following problem?

the left and right audio is working, left goes left, right goes right.

however, i can hear a high pitch noise in the background and it gets louder/softer/dissapear with the engine rpm.

ideas?
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Old Mar 23, 2008 | 11:36 AM
  #78  
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I did this mod on my 6-cd HU the other day, props on the amazing tutorial! I took someones advice earlier in this topic and soldered a rca-to-rca cable into the HU and then attached the RCA-minijack. Sound from it is remarkably good, i wasnt expecting much and its great, im actually considering using it to hook up a car PC to the stock HU now.
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Old Mar 24, 2008 | 01:00 AM
  #79  
xsnipersgox's Avatar
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From: Houston
Originally Posted by thew
You are hearing the AC/engine noise from the alternator.
get a noise filter from Mazdaparts.com a good PIE unit.
http://www.mazdaparts.com/ProductDet...000-1151625270
just realize if i unhook the ipod charger i won't hear it anymore XD.. gonna go that route for now
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Old Mar 26, 2008 | 03:40 PM
  #80  
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From: Southern California
yea i have the same noise with my belkin ipod charger, I also bought the monster ipod charger with aux output and it also does the same thing.... i think it has to do with the grounding the cig inputs.... cuz i did not plug in the charger all the way so it was not charging the ipod but still got the noise...... maybe if i run a seperate ground instead of the metal inside of the cig lighter i wont get the noise.....
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Old Mar 31, 2008 | 11:42 AM
  #81  
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From: MN, USA
Just did this to an 04 6MT single-CD Bose car and it works fantastically! Great write up!
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Old May 31, 2008 | 02:39 PM
  #82  
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From: Jamaica
i am attempting this and i realize that since it was done ona LHD and mine is a RHD, that bolt under the steering column would most likely be in my glovebox area instead?

I say this as I cannot locate any connecting bolts to the radio under the steering column... anyone who knows please advise as I am unsure of how to pull the plastic trim on the glovebox side.
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Old May 31, 2008 | 03:14 PM
  #83  
thew's Avatar
Thews8
 
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From: Oregon South Coast
Yes its on the other side. just reach your hand in there and you will feel it.
Don't take apart your glove box

Originally Posted by eddybear
i am attempting this and i realize that since it was done ona LHD and mine is a RHD, that bolt under the steering column would most likely be in my glovebox area instead?

I say this as I cannot locate any connecting bolts to the radio under the steering column... anyone who knows please advise as I am unsure of how to pull the plastic trim on the glovebox side.
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Old May 31, 2008 | 03:15 PM
  #84  
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From: Jamaica
So i should also not try to remove the trim that runs between the glovebox and teh front console??

hardly seems like enough space..
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Old May 31, 2008 | 03:21 PM
  #85  
thew's Avatar
Thews8
 
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Oregon South Coast
no reason to. just get you had behind it and feel for the bolt.
then remove it and throw it away . its only there to keep the HU from being able to be stolen. But frankly. I would rather some one get my HU and not destroy the Dash.. No reason to remove anything else except the AC/Vents above the Digital readout. But first find the bolt. Mazda Did release service note about the location of that bolt in both JDM and non JDM cars. But you already know that.. Get the bolt out and the rest should be easy..
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Old May 31, 2008 | 03:27 PM
  #86  
thew's Avatar
Thews8
 
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From: Oregon South Coast
Get one of these Ground loop isolators. https://www.mazdaparts.com/ProductDe...000-1154409213
also here on amazon http://www.amazon.com/PIE-GROUND-LOO...265409&sr=8-21

Once i added one to my system i got rid of all the noise.

Also you may want to add a Noise filter to
https://www.mazdaparts.com/ProductDe...000-1151625270

http://www.pie.net/pie_store/shopdis...=Power+Filters

Check back on my Amazon Page ill have the NF-40 up at the PIE price this week end.


Originally Posted by DanRedRx8
yea i have the same noise with my belkin ipod charger, I also bought the monster ipod charger with aux output and it also does the same thing.... i think it has to do with the grounding the cig inputs.... cuz i did not plug in the charger all the way so it was not charging the ipod but still got the noise...... maybe if i run a seperate ground instead of the metal inside of the cig lighter i wont get the noise.....
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Old May 31, 2008 | 03:32 PM
  #87  
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From: Jamaica
wow, i checked through glove compartment and i cannot find it at all.

i dunno wtf i am doing wrong but all i feel is plastic

and no i didnt know about a service note, i can barely get good info here in jamaica to begin with
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Old May 31, 2008 | 03:49 PM
  #88  
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From: Jamaica
ok this is important news for all JDM owners.

There IS NO BOLT holding ours in, I repeat, there is no such bolt for ours.

Simply pull those ashtray hidden screws and then pull firmly on the base of the HU if necessary work your hand to the left and right and pull away any plastic that might be pressing against the HU and it will pop right out.

Not sure about that service note there thew, maybe you're referring to something else.
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Old May 31, 2008 | 10:19 PM
  #89  
thew's Avatar
Thews8
 
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Oregon South Coast
Nope that TSB shows the JDM cars with the Bolt on the Right of the HU. perhaps yours was taken out already by a service tech.. No matter at least you were smart and tested it without breaking it.. !!!
Good job.. keep us posted.
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Old Jul 9, 2008 | 06:54 PM
  #90  
buyinan8's Avatar
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Uniontown, Pa
Finally, It works.

Originally Posted by G0t m4xx 21
OK, I figured out how to make the volume louder with this AUX input mod!!!!

Theory:

Because the CD player is outputing silence, the signal amplifier inside the CD player is trying to hold the output signals low. Therefore, whenever another signal is being fed into this, that amp is pulling down the signal, and reducing its volume.
First of all, thanks for the write-up on how to do this, but I've found a much easier way. Unfortunately, I've only found the fix because I have to finish this abandoned project before I sell my whip.

After coming back to this mod the other day, I had formed much the same theory. My fix is different however. I simply recorded a sound that was too high pitched for speakers to output at a very low volume for a second so that the cd player recognizes that music is being played.

Burn the attached file to cd and pop it in and you'll have your aux-in at cd levels. Enjoy!

P.s. I burned the file straight out of Garageband and the CD works great. I have not tested the file after it was sent to Itunes and converted to mp3 form, so I don't know if it works. If anyone has any problems with the file not working please PM me and we'll try to fix it.

Edit: Can't upload the file because it's not the right format, anyone want to host this for me?

Last edited by buyinan8; Jul 9, 2008 at 07:15 PM.
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Old Jul 15, 2008 | 02:08 AM
  #91  
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TO I008com

I am new here and i have only had my RX-8 for 4 days.
Seen you step by step - removal guide, GREAT.....

But please can we have a step by step guide for adding this unit (PIE?- confused) to the aux/tape button. Also where can i buy the parts from.
cheers dr_zee
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Old Aug 12, 2008 | 02:54 AM
  #92  
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From: Pembroke Pines, FL
Silent CD?!?!

So I've attempted to burn my own "silent cd" but havent had any luck making a quality one...I hear hissing and my cars acceleration distorts the radio ( I can hear my speakers rev together with my engine lol). Anyone have any links to download a track to burn for this "silent disc"? It'll be icing on the cake to top off this great DIY and how to install your own IPOD all we need now is how to make our own silent disc
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Old Sep 11, 2008 | 02:41 PM
  #93  
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From: NorCal
I used your tutorial to install an AuxMod and would like to thank you for your effort.
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Old Oct 2, 2008 | 02:46 AM
  #94  
ByThaBay's Avatar
Local Maintenace Whore
 
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: San Francisco, CA
Just used your tutorial this past weeked to install a Dice Unit. Made a video to really help clear things up. Watch the video here:

http://eturkov.blogspot.com/2008/10/...o-removal.html
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Old Oct 2, 2008 | 01:27 PM
  #95  
Juice's Avatar
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Great video. Shows the location of the stupid bolt perfectly too!

Great job man.
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Old Oct 5, 2008 | 08:01 PM
  #96  
Chief's Avatar
Shoot to Thrill...
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 117
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From: Austin, TX
Yeah thanks for the video and to the original pics
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Old Oct 17, 2008 | 01:04 PM
  #97  
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I have a problem.

Previous owner prolly did this hack to my car, and it worked very well, until yesterday.

It would stay on the EX channel for about 30s, and then shut off. What happened? I tested it, and it's not the radio itself, because the CD would run forever, as will the radio.
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Old Oct 17, 2008 | 01:13 PM
  #98  
thew's Avatar
Thews8
 
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Oregon South Coast
Sounds like you have the Wrong Firmware .
If you are running the older firmware with the PIE Aux connector or other Copy cat aux connectors you will need your Head Unit Upgraded..
Do a Search on HU upgrades. you will find the info you need.

IF its completely stock and its doing this then your HU must need to be replaced. Again We have done lots of work and research on the HU upgrades and AUX inputs. Search here on the RX8 club for Head Unit Upgrades. and Aux input connectors.

If you have a PIE Box it may have gone bad to but thats not as likely.

Originally Posted by dothackRAVE
I have a problem.

Previous owner prolly did this hack to my car, and it worked very well, until yesterday.

It would stay on the EX channel for about 30s, and then shut off. What happened? I tested it, and it's not the radio itself, because the CD would run forever, as will the radio.
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Old Oct 17, 2008 | 01:16 PM
  #99  
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It's worked fine for 2 years already, with no upgrades whatsoever. What happened this time?
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Old Oct 17, 2008 | 03:12 PM
  #100  
thew's Avatar
Thews8
 
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Oregon South Coast
Well that just sounds like the HU is now going bad. No telling why. But I do know that that symptom shows when users plug in a PIE unit to the AUX port and do not have the proper HU Firmware . You say the Radio does not shut off? but the C.D. does after a few Mins? If you have no upgrades then you dont have a AUx in adapter so what is shuttig off?

Maybe i am misunderstanding.


.

Originally Posted by dothackRAVE
It's worked fine for 2 years already, with no upgrades whatsoever. What happened this time?
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