| harmonr1 |
I'm ready to start my A/V install (Sam's unit) and I'm looking for some information on installing it in the rear of the center console.
I would like a clean install and I am looking for the best place for the tuner unit. It looks like there isn't enough room under the passenger seat and I don't like th floor bulge if placed in front or behind the passenger seat. Here's what I want to do:
- Install tuner unit in bottom center console
- Install power inverter in bottom center console unit
- Install A/V plug, additional 12 V accessory plug and 110V plug in rear of center console under A/V controls
- Install blitzsafe device
- Install wireless headphones (probably RF)
- Use a Toshiba SD-P2000 portable DVD player as the flip-down screen and DVD device (Yes, the screen inverts for upside-down mounting :4: )
- Install diversity antennas inside the plastic moldings around the rear side windows.
I went to Plastics 2000 (formerly TAP Plastics) and they can make me a coustom mounting ring to mount the portable DVD device in the ceiling with a plastic filler panel to place in the hole when the DVD player is removed. Cost s/b about $75 max.
I'd buy a manual but they aren't available for the '03 yet. I checked. I read on several threads where some of what I want to do has been done but by professional installers or no details given.
Does anyone know:
- is there enough room to place the tuner in the bottom of the center console unit?
- is there also enough room to place an inverter by the tuner in the center console unit?
- is there any problem locating an inverter close to the tuner unit e.g. noise, etc.?
- if the diversity antennas will work if placed inside the plastic moldings around the rear side windows instead of on the windows?
- if the diversity antennas work in this location, how well ?
- how to remove the center console unit?
- if I am just nuts and should get professional help (or let a professional installer do it)? :2:
Any advice from you more experienced members is greatly appreciated. :cool: |
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| harmonr1 |
HELP!!!
Revised question - I now have the back of the center console (rear A/C controls, etc.) off and clearly there is little or no room there. It is all A/C ducting.
In front of the 2nd row passenger seat, under the carpet, is what I would best describe as a "bladder". It's black plastic, about 1" thick, and appears to cover the entire floor area. I can't really tell what it is without pulling out the passenger side front seat so that I can lift the carpet sufficiently.
Anyone have any ideas what this is? It looks like it could be an A/C duct, but to where? Maybe it's just designed to "pad" the flooring. I wonder if I could cut our a section and drop the tuner unit in it and then cover it back up with the carpeting and pad?
Has anyone looked at this yet?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. |
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| Curtsan |
Hi, and yes, I hear you...my install plans took a major twist when I got the back of the center console removed. No room at all.
What I did was mount the power inverter under the driver's seat attached to the plastic foot rest area with plastic tie wraps. I then took the face of the inverter (which was removable) and extended all wires by about 2 feet. I then ran these wires into the back fo the center console, and mounted the original inverter face in the console. there was just enough room about 4 inches up from the bottom to mount it all and tuck in wires.
The area under the 2nd row is tricky also, as it has that bar across the front part under the seat. when you take the seat out, and remove carpet, you see the plastic liner on top of the floor where feet go, along with heater ducts. The majoirty of that area is on top of the gast tank from what I can see, and the bulging area in the middle is the wiring and tubing that goes in through the top...(to fuel pump?) I'm not a mechanic, so I don't want to say for sure, but caution is needed as you wouldn't want to drill any where you shouldn't. Space is tight in here also, but a tuner should be ok. I am mounting some "brain units" under that area, running wiring and cables under carpet, coming up through exisiting cut outs, then mounting my components using plastic wire tie wraps to the carpet. IT is stiff enough that it will be more than solid that way, and not have any grounding issues to worry about.
My biggest challenge is finding room in the MDX to "hide" brain units and amplifiers. I've already conceded to using my back storage area, even though originally I had hoped not to.
Good luck, the carpet is very stiff in the MDX, as it is insulated, and has a stiff rubber backing. Best thing I cound was to remove all seats work with what you have to, then put everything back. Vehicle will probably be out of comission for a while in the process, since this is no quick task if doing right. I also double layered the whole floor with Dynamat while carpet was out... |
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| harmonr1 |
Ah - Great minds do think alike.
I looked at the inverter problem and already took the face off to see if I can extend the wires. That looks pretty straight-forward. Upon closer examination, there looks to be a little room under the front of the console but the tuner won't reach. I'm thinking about hooking everything up to make sure it all works and then extending the lines between the tuner and the NAVI-DVD unit. That would keep the driver seat clear, except for the inverter which is small, for future upgrades. Of course, I probably also have to extend the diversity antenna wires too. :o
I'm going to try to put the inverter face, three RCA jacks and an additional 12 volt accessory outlet under the rear A/C controls where you described. I have the back of the console off and the carpeted sides so I think that may be all that I have to do in that area. At least I hope.
I'm doing my best to keep the small storage area empty as I already have a lot of junk in it. And I don't want to be drilling into the floor where I don't know what's underneath as you point out. Lots of Velcro and wire ties.
Thanks for the input.:) :) |
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| Tom-TX |
| I just finished my install this past weekend. I placed the conversion unit under the passenger's seat, just to the rear of the Navi unit. I only used 2 screws (back ones) to hold the conversion unit down onto the rear bar under the passenger's seat. In this location, the passengers's seat will move almost all the way back (can no longer see the unit). The only problem is that with the seat full forward, you can see the install since the plastic trim will not fit back on. I intend to cut out the plastic trim so that it will go back on, cover the unit, and have a cut out for the Aux 1 & 2 inputs. |
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| Tom-TX |
| Here is a slightly different angle. |
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| Tom-TX |
| Just in case you're interested, I mounted the camera on the outside just to the left of the lic. plate. |
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| Tom-TX |
| First removed the rear hatch inside trim to get at the screws holding the ACURA trim plate. |
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| Tom-TX |
| Next, positioned the camera drilled 2 holes to mount it and 1 hole to pass the wires. |
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| Tom-TX |
The 2 screws w/ black goop are the ones holding the camera in place. The large hole above and in-between is for the wires.
I ran the wires along the driver's side of the hatch and into the flexible wire harness that is already there. (What a pain this was.)
Then into the rear D pillar down to behind the aux power outlet where I taped the 12v+ and -. This way my camera is on whenever the ignition is on or in Acc position. I can see the rear view image automatically when in reverse or whenever I switch the conversion unit to input 3. |
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| Tom-TX |
| Camera just before re-instaling the ACURA trim. |
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| Tom-TX |
| Driver's side rear window with antenna in place. The video wire from the camera was run forward on the driver's side where it met up with the antenna wire coming down the C pillar. Both wire then went under the rug to the rear of the passenger's seat. |
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| MDXtrous |
quote:
Originally posted by Tom-TX
Just in case you're interested, I mounted the camera on the outside just to the left of the lic. plate.
Wow, very creative with the camera location, nice install;) |
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| kishino |
| Nice install job on the camera and nav-video kit. I assume that you have the Touring package. I have a 2002 base and the nav-video kit fit right on top of the navi. with no obstructions to the seat movement. |
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| mdxxxx |
quote:
Originally posted by Tom-TX
Just in case you're interested, I mounted the camera on the outside just to the left of the lic. plate.
Nice install! :6: |
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| Tom-TX |
MDXtrous, you set the mark for a system to match! :drool: I stole the idea for the camera location from the '03 OEM location, but for some reason moved it to the left.
kishino - yea I have the tourning package. There is just a bit less room under the seat due to the seat motor. |
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| Ronsully |
The Navi conversion device does fit in the rear center console. Mine is located in their. I removed the rear cover to the center console (the one with the rear ac controls). After I removed the cover I shaved off the tab that is in the middle of the cover (on the inside). This is the tab (probally left over from the injection molding process) that run vertically from the controls to the lower vents. I then fished the wires to the sides of the center console under the front seats. I used double sided tape to mount the vertically mount the converter to the center console and push the whole console back in place. It is a tight fit but now that the center console is back on you can not tell. Now all I have to do is finish running the antennas and hook up the camera.
A question regarding the power source for the navi converter. Is the power source for the converter always hot or only hot when the car is running. I can not get the navi converter to come on automatically when I start the car and put it in reverse. ??????? |
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| harmonr1 |
quote:
Originally posted by Ronsully
The Navi conversion device does fit in the rear center console.
That's what I wanted here. I'll "dry fit" it there first and make sure that everything goes back together first. I wonder if it fits there if there will also be room for the RCA jacks and power converter plug. That may be pushing it a bit.:D :D |
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| Tom-TX |
Ronsully:
I connected the red (power) and yellow (parking break) wires from the unit together and then spliced them into the center console accessory power socket, thus the unit only gets power when the ignition is on or in Acc. If you remove the plastic trim around the transmission shift stick, just next to the driver's side of the shifter is a 2 wire connector with a red/white and black wire. That is the power source (red/white is 12V+, black is -) to the rear console acc. power socket.
To get the unit to switch to Aux 3 input (the camera) when shifted into reverse, you need to connect the blue wire on the unit to a 12V+ source that is hot only when the transmission is in reverse. I accomplished this by splicing the blue wire into the the 8 pin connector at the rear of the Navi just to the left of where Sams unit plugs in. The green/black wire in the C5 position (I think that was the lower left as you look at the connector while plugged into the Navi) is 12V+ only when the transmission is in reverse.
I have a question for you.... Isn't the area you mounted the conversion unit into, actually an air duct? |
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| Ronsully |
quote:
Originally posted by Tom-TX
Ronsully:
I connected the red (power) and yellow (parking break) wires from the unit together and then spliced them into the center console accessory power socket, thus the unit only gets power when the ignition is on or in Acc. If you remove the plastic trim around the transmission shift stick, just next to the driver's side of the shifter is a 2 wire connector with a red/white and black wire. That is the power source (red/white is 12V+, black is -) to the rear console acc. power socket.
To get the unit to switch to Aux 3 input (the camera) when shifted into reverse, you need to connect the blue wire on the unit to a 12V+ source that is hot only when the transmission is in reverse. I accomplished this by splicing the blue wire into the the 8 pin connector at the rear of the Navi just to the left of where Sams unit plugs in. The green/black wire in the C5 position (I think that was the lower left as you look at the connector while plugged into the Navi) is 12V+ only when the transmission is in reverse.
I have a question for you.... Isn't the area you mounted the conversion unit into, actually an air duct?
Regarding the power to the navi converter. When I start my car up the navi converter does not power up automatically. For example, I started the car up and powered on the navi converter and left the red button engaged and the shut the car off. When I start the car a second time the navi converter does not come on automatically, instead I have to use the remote to power the navi converter on again. Maybe there is a setting on the navi converter to power up automatically. Guess I should check it out.
Regarding the mounting in the center console. It is not in the air duct. The navi converter unit actually sits between the lower vent and upper vent, and is out side the duct (I put double sided tape on the top and bottom of the navi converter the top sticks to the ducting and the bottom sticks to the inside of the console trim).
Tom, thanks for the info on the reverse wire in the navi unit. |
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| Tom-TX |
Ronsully:
Sorry, I think I misunderstood your original power up question. My unit works just like yours except that it will automatically power up and switch into Aux 3 video input whenever the transmission is put into reverse. I don't think there is a way to default the conversion unit to power on. Since I have my rear view camera set to turn on whenever the X is running, I too would like the option of not having to use the remote to power up the conversion unit. Connecting that blue wire to the red wire would make the unit turn on automatically, but then I think it would be stuck in Aux 3 input mode all the time and possibly hurt something if you used the remote to switch to another mode. Maybe someone w/ Sam's phone number can give him a call and ask.
I also missunderstood where you mounted the converter. You actaully have it inbetween the rear A/C cover on the inside of the cover, and the black air duct. Dam, I wish I understood that when I was trying to slide it into the duct. :bonk:
BTW: I forgot to mention that you will need to use the master Navi security code the first time you turn it on if you unplug that 8 pin connector from the back of the Navi. |
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| harmonr1 |
quote:
Originally posted by Tom-TX
Isn't the area you mounted the conversion unit into, actually an air duct?
quote:
you will need to use the master Navi security code the first time you turn it on if you unplug that 8 pin connector from the back of the Navi.
I looked at the mounting location and it will fit very nicely between the upper and lower ducts. But that doesn't leave me a place to locate the RCA jacks, etc. Perhaps I need to rethink their location.
I had my radio/Navi unit out for about 6 hours on Sunday while I installed my Blitzsafe device and played around with other things. The Navi came right up w/o needing the security code but the radio did require I enter the code. Is it the Navi unit or the Navi-DVD unit that needs the code? |
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| Tom-TX |
quote:
Originally posted by harmonr1
...
I had my radio/Navi unit out for about 6 hours on Sunday while I installed my Blitzsafe device and played around with other things. The Navi came right up w/o needing the security code but the radio did require I enter the code. Is it the Navi unit or the Navi-DVD unit that needs the code?
It would be the Navi-DVD unit under the passenger's seat, but only if you disconnect its 8 pin connector. This is NOT the connector that you plug the conversion unit into. It is however the connector that has a green/black wire you can tap for the reverse auto switching. |
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| harmonr1 |
| This is such a great forum. Full of great information. If it wasn't for this group I'd be driving around in a stock X for years. Instead, I'm broke but I have lots of toys. :eek: :eek: |
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| Ronsully |
quote:
Originally posted by harmonr1
This is such a great forum. Full of great information. If it wasn't for this group I'd be driving around in a stock X for years. Instead, I'm broke but I have lots of toys. :eek: :eek:
So true, so true. Stock is so blah. Now just imagine my situation since I have the X and my new toy Supra. :p
Regarding the rca locations. I just ran them to either side of the console and under the front seats. Drivers side has my VCR and Passenger side is just hanging out under the seat. The only place you can see the wires is where the come from undert the center console and go under the seat rail. However, it will soon be covered with crumbs because I can't clean between the two front seat :3: . |
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| TheWorm |
quote:
Originally posted by harmonr1
This is such a great forum. Full of great information. If it wasn't for this group I'd be driving around in a stock X for years. Instead, I'm broke but I have lots of toys. :eek: :eek:
Beautifully stated! |
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| harmonr1 |
quote:
... - Use a Toshiba SD-P2000 portable DVD player as the flip-down screen and DVD device (Yes, the screen inverts for upside-down mounting
Found a flaw in my logic. The portable DVD player works great and you can invert the screen BUT you can't direct the video to A/V out (accessory screen) AND play it on the portable player. It's either one or the other. :headshake Oh well. I guess I'll buy a flip-down monitor after all.:confused: |
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| kimsta |
quote:
Originally posted by Tom-TX
Ronsully:
I connected the red (power) and yellow (parking break) wires from the unit together and then spliced them into the center console accessory power socket, thus the unit only gets power when the ignition is on or in Acc. If you remove the plastic trim around the transmission shift stick, just next to the driver's side of the shifter is a 2 wire connector with a red/white and black wire. That is the power source (red/white is 12V+, black is -) to the rear console acc. power socket.
Tom,
How do you get to the wires in the shift area? I removed the chrome trim around the shift stick but I could not get the black plastic peice off. I could not get to the wires because the black plastic was in the way.
I noticed that you removed the trimming on the rear hatch. Can you tell me know you removed it?
Also, anybody know where I can tap into the battery wire? This is the wire that is hot even when the engine is off.
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Charles |
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| Tom-TX |
Center console:
I'm not sure I understand what you mean by the "black plastic". I might not have been too clear myself. What I did was remove the chrome plastic trim and the wood plastic trim from around the shift knob. Then the 2 wire connector can be seen just to the left of the shifter up on the top edge of the opening you just uncovered. It is not under the shifter nor in the shifter. I intended to take more photos, but the wife was applying a bit too much pressure... "Aren't you finished yet?"
Rear hatch trim:
Right now I'm out of town and thus don't have the X to look at nor do I have the shop manual with me so this part is from memory. A memory that keeps aging faster than my gut keeps growing. Anyway, to remove the upper gray trim on the left and right sides of the window, just pull. For the black trim across the rear below the window you have to remove the inside handle held in place w/ a screw (black on the lower left side), two black plastic clips that look like a screw head (have a slot in them) somewhere (possibly on the bottom edge of this trim), then pull. As it comes off, be prepared to disconnect the wire clip to the light fixture on the left side. I think that was it. If someone else has done this or has the shop manual, please double check my failing memory.
Always Hot Power:
I'm not sure why and thus where you need to tap an always hot power source, but at one point I was thinking of the same thing. There is a hot wire that goes to the rear panel passenger side under the rear side window. It powers a relay that in turn powers the cargo area acc power outlet. There should be no load on this wire which is why I thought it a good candidate to tap into. The relay is identified as such and should be fairly easy to get to (maybe under the speaker), but I did not actually expose it so if you want to tap into this, you will need someone with a shop manual to help. |
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| kimsta |
Tom,
I appreciate your help.
I will probalby finish working on the install either tommorow or Friday. One more quick question. How did you remove the plood trimming around the shift stick? Did you pop it out with a screw driver? I am really paranoid about scratching up the trim.
The black plastic is the peice that the chrome trim holds into place. The plastic peice with the P R D5..... I was trying to take that out but it wouldn't come off.
The "always hot" wire is for my DVD player. I need to connect one of the wires (yellow) to the 12V battery. I am assuming there is a battery wire going to the stock head unit. I'm just not sure which one it is.
Thanks again,
Charles |
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| kishino |
I don't think you have to take the black trim ring off to get to the power wire. You have to remove the chrome trim ring and then the wood trim around the shifter to get to the wire. IMO, the power wire there should be enough to power your DVD player. It is not good to wire it to an always on power wire as that will most likely drain your battery if you forget to turn off the DVD player.
To remove the wood trim around the shifter:
1) Take off teh chrome right
2)Remove the cup holder
3)Remove the wood trim by stick a something flat underneat the edge of the wood trim around the cup holder and just gently pry it up. |
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| kimsta |
Kishino,
Thanks for your help.
The dvd player requires me to connect a red wire to ACC and a yellow wire to the battery. Do you think I should splice the two wires together and connect them to the accessory (red) wire on the center console?
Charles |
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| stoogefan |
Hi,
Can anyone tell me the positions or wire colors that are used for the video signals off of the connector on the 03 MDX nav unit. Based on the pictures that I have seen it looks like the red, blue, green and sync connectors are on the middle connector. I am going to use the pioneer gex unit instead of sams as I already own it and have used in my previous acuras. Can someone provide the pin positions or wire colors used of the middle connector. Thanks |
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