I bought a metra kit some time ago. when it was all hooked up i did not get any lights above the vents and the center hvac controls were all lit up. i have no control over hot or cold but i do have fan speed. Could this be a issue with out having the update? if so do i send it back to metra or does someone have a cable? i do not have climate control.

 

Check out this thread. https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-no-heat-repair-heater-control-158200/ You wont be able to do the quick check since your middle display is not working, and because you don't have your stock head unit in. But it wouldn't hurt to take it apart and re-solder the 3 connections mentioned to save some cash. From the research I have been doing the Metra kit should work fine as long as you don't hook up anything backwards. I'm about to put my Metra kit in tomorrow, and hopefully everything goes smooth.