barc111

I just installed my brand new XM Commander into my Mazda 6 (yes I know I don't have an RX8, but you guys seem to be more knowledgeable). The problem I am having is the system works fine, but there is no backlight. I hooked up the ACC to the factory deck power (Blue/Red) and the Battery to the Cigarette Power, and grounded it at the cig again. Have I wired it incorrectly? Does that have anything to do with not having the backlit display not work? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. My only other option is to take it back to best buy and have them replace the unit, know way am I taking it all out again.

Genom

I think the unit is just defectove as the backlight is always active on mine. Is your cigarrete always on? the rx-8's need to be in ACC mode toget power there. I wired both the cabels to my cig cables since I removed the lighter to put the commander in. But both your audio cables should at least be on with the car.

Maybe the cable you tapped from the head unit is wrong? Try putting both wires on the cig lighter cable and see. if not, time to return the unit.

doccable

Genom -
Did you install the XM yourself? I've been thinking about getting one, but have been unsure about the connections. Got any pix?
Thanks!
-Doc

barc111

Unfortunately I didn't take any pics, though anyone can do this install themselves. The only tough part for me was making sure the vimpire clips actually bit through the tough wire shielding.

Genom

I did indeed do it myself. Let me say a couple things that have been mentioned in passing, but not really emphasized.

The center console pops right off when you take off the shifter ****. Easy. There's a kickpanel below the steering wheel to rmeove, the plastic part comes off easy as well, and has 4 screwes holding it in. you HAVE to take that metal panel off. Once ya do that, you can find the hidden 10mm bolt everybody refers too and curses. It's a PITA to take it off and make sure ya dont drop/lose it.

The stereo cables have very little play. So once ya start pulling it out, make sure to unfasten the AC controls cable first (get upside down and look at them to make sure you see where to squeeze to get them off. Do the same from the top to get the strerep cables off. It sounds easy, but if ya dont look first to seehow to do it, they aint never coming off. I glued the FM antenna box to the rear of the empty space behind the radio, and the control box itself on the drivers side on a black metallic box next to the steering shaft. I took power from my cig lighter using vampire clips, but the entire ashtray is being cut out to make the control unit fit there, AND have the ashtray close. Some guys have managed without any cuting, but I am going a bit different with that.

In other words, it's easy if you go step by step and carefully look before doing anything. Also make sure to wrap the metal shift **** in something soft as it's VERY easy to drop the stereo when your struggling to get behind it and scratch it (like I did). If your the impatient type who just jumps in, it might be a bit more trouble than you want. But if your careful and read up before hand it should be pretty easy.

I thought very confidently I wouldnt have any issues and fought the damn thing the entire way (about 4 hours total install time) and have to take it apart again tomorrow for not paying attention. Howver, I did a dry run tonight and now that I know what I am doing, it took all of 5 minutes to get the strereo out.