Replacement radio options with climate functionality
 

Hi all.

So recently my rear defroster stopped working. I checked the fuses and everything else and couldn't find out what was wrong. I then checked the settings for the temp control knob and found it only went from 13-16 instead of 0-16. I then pulled the radio out and followed the awesome DIY to fix the bad solder joints on the potentiometer. I checked out those for the defroster as well and the seemed fine. I reinstalled the system and tested it out only to find I hadn't fixed anything. In fact not only would the rear defroster not work anymore but the entire center dial for climate controls was not functioning, no way to control the air flow, ac, defrost etc... I took the radio out again (I am a pro now, took around 4 minutes) and started taking the system apart again. Then I noticed the reason my climate controls weren't working.....

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-I...-20-41_161.jpg
This connector was completely cracked off of the board that the stereo is connected to. Now for the help part.

Does anyone know if you can purchased just this circuit board?
Do you think it would be better to purchase a metra kit ( I believe this routes the climate controls right?) and an after market radio?
If I purchase the metra kit do I need to install an after market radio for the climate controls to work?

If I purchase the after market radio will I be able to use the stock radio controls? Does that depend on the radio?

Thanks for you all your help.

The metra kit still uses that board so it will not solve your problems. It looks to me like you (or someone) missed a screw at the end of that board. Then plugging/unplugging the harness from that plug put quite a bit a stress on an unsupported point.

Ehh I doubt you can purchase just that board. Especially not directly from the dealer. They seem to like to sell you an entire assembly piece when you all want is a god damn o-ring. I'd have to look at it a little closer, but maybe a soldering pro could patch it up? I'd start looking at junk yards. Tear into a wrecked RX8 and just pull out the board. Junkyards, like the dealers, seem to like to charge an exorbitant amount when they think you're buying an entire assembly.

Maybe I should have a zoomed out pic, this is not on the climate control circuit board but on the one connected to the radio. If the metra kit still used this board where would it go? It is the entire size of the front face of the radio.

I emailed metra and they are kind enough to help me with the problem. I thought about a soldering pro but figured a replacement would be better in the long run.

I also talked with crutch field and they recommended
http://www.clarion.com/us/en/product...459365498.html
(Thanks Tony!)
With the metra double din kit.

USB and bluetooth hands free were my requirements. Any have an experience with that deck here?

Thanks for the suggestions firebird dude.

Ahhh yeah should have zoomed out more. lol I've installed/uninstalled the metra kit a few times in RX8s, but its been awhile. Didn't recognize the board from that pic. Now that I really look at the whole picture, the board is clearly on the rear of the factory faceplate.:spank:

Yeah the Metra kit should solve this problem. I've never used that particular Clarion headunit, but I've worked with many Clarions in my day. Nothing wrong with them. You might also look at the Pioneer FH-P8000BT. Very similar unit on all aspects. But I noted that it has three lines of text display versus the two on the Clarion. Also the USB connection is on the rear of the unit versus the face on the Clarion. I personally prefer this, as I can run the USB cable to the glovebox or center console. Once your MP3 player is connected, you do all the navigating from the headunit. So no ugly cables laying around your dash and no having to hide it from thieves every time you run into the 7/11. The Pioneer looks a little sexier too. The Clarion looks.... a little childish if I may say.:uhh:

Here's a pic I found on Pioneers website of it installed in an RX8
http://www.pioneer-mel.com/galleryImages/30311_wm.jpg

You'll also need to purchase an additional module to keep your steering wheel controls working. PAC SWI-PS with the Pioneer. Google or ebay it.:)

That Clarion is the one I'm planning on as well, for the same reasons (iPod control and built-in BT), and also for the ability to customize the display color to match the dash lights...that is a must for me, and is less common than I would have expected. The Pioneer pictured above is a nice unit, but a little busy, and the blue lights are a dealbreaker.

I know it's a little more money (~$330), but the Pioneer AVH-P3300BT has iPod, Bluetooth, SD card slot, Pandora, DVD playback and 112 key colors.
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/St...3300BT_reg.jpg