| amosliao |
For those interested in retrofit their 01-04 MDX with Bluetooth HF.
Here is the bluetooth module (Parrot CK3100 from PCmall.com for $166) that I installed on my wife's MDX. It took me about 4 hours to install as I had to take the dash apart and tap into the car's radio and amps (splice many wires). I even modified the display module so that no wire/cable is showing coming out of the display module.
It works better than my TL's bluetooth. Its voice command allows you to dial contacts on your phone (if you already have voice command set up on your phone). You can just say "John" and it dials. I even downloaded my phone contacts (one by one, but it's automatic for some bluetooth phones from Nokia or SonyEriccson) to the MDX via bluetooth so that there is a phone book in the bluetooth module (sort by first name with symbols for home, work, mobile.....). With TL, I had to enter all the phone numbers one by one and re-train each voice command.
When a calls comes in, the radio mutes automatically (since MDX has separate front and rear amps, the third row passengers' music is not muted) and the polyphonic ringtone is played through the car's speakers. You can set it to answer the call automatically or just press the "talk" button. The conversation is played thru the car's speakers. Once you end the call, the music resumes. The sound quality is quite good and you can adjust the conversation volume. All this time, the phone stays in your pocket or purse. You can even exit the car and the conversation will transfer from your car to your phone. This module can accept up to 5 phones and it links with the first phone it detects and the phone's model is displayed on the display module so you know which phone is linked to the system in case there are several people in your car with bluetooth phone. Btw, you have to "pair" each phone with the system before you can use it. |
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| wing2299 |
| Does it come with mic or use the car's build-in mic? |
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| amosliao |
quote:
Originally posted by wing2299
Does it come with mic or use the car's build-in mic?
It comes with a mic and it's attached right above the bluetooth display module. My 02 MDX is a non-nav and doesn't come with voice command or mic. |
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| phins2rt |
amosliao,
Looks great!!:29: |
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| amosliao |
quote:
Originally posted by phins2rt
amosliao,
Looks great!!:29:
Here is a picture after I took the console apart. |
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| dj-mdx2 |
| Nice setup dude! Always wondered if bluetooth was doable on an older X. |
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| renov8r |
quote:
Originally posted by amosliao
Here is a picture after I took the console apart.
See, I am sure that right after I would get our MDX to that "almost looks like it's been in a chop shop" state I would either:
a) cut my self on a razor sharp piece of trim I'd have to rush to the hospital...
b) my wife would 100& NEED the MDX to run an emergancy errand
c) the instruction manual would mysteriously blow away
d) my kids would decide they were going to try and help daddy by hiding all the screws and trim clips
...so basically I would never be able to put humpty-dumpty back together again.
Don't get me wrong, 15 years ago before I was married and had kids I would dive right into that kind of a project (and every now & then with my "hobby car" I still might..) but with the family MDX? Fuhgedabouit!
ANyhow congrats, I am envious. Even my sister has a BT phone now... |
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| amosliao |
[QUOTE]Originally posted by renov8r
[B]
See, I am sure that right after I would get our MDX to that "almost looks like it's been in a chop shop" state I would either:
a) cut my self on a razor sharp piece of trim I'd have to rush to the hospital...
b) my wife would 100& NEED the MDX to run an emergancy errand
c) the instruction manual would mysteriously blow away
d) my kids would decide they were going to try and help daddy by hiding all the screws and trim clips
...so basically I would never be able to put humpty-dumpty back together again.
Don't get me wrong, 15 years ago before I was married and had kids I would dive right into that kind of a project (and every now & then with my "hobby car" I still might..) but with the family MDX? Fuhgedabouit!
Totally agree with you. My wife and kid were gone for the whole weekend with the in-laws. That's why I had the time to do the installation. Otherwise, the bluetooth kit would be sitting in my garage for years collecting dust |
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| XStatic |
Now why can't the NAV version have such a nice clock display?
Any details on install? Which wires got spliced, etc. |
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| Jim03MDX |
quote:
Originally posted by amosliao
It works better than my TL's bluetooth. Its voice command allows you to dial contacts on your phone (if you already have voice command set up on your phone). You can just say "John" and it dials. I even downloaded my phone contacts (one by one, but it's automatic for some bluetooth phones from Nokia or SonyEriccson) to the MDX via bluetooth so that there is a phone book in the bluetooth module (sort by first name with symbols for home, work, mobile.....). With TL, I had to enter all the phone numbers one by one and re-train each voice command.
You're right, that is a nice feature. Based on it working with a kit I don't understand why they could not provide it in the integrated version in the TL? |
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| amosliao |
quote:
Originally posted by XStatic
Now why can't the NAV version have such a nice clock display?
Any details on install? Which wires got spliced, etc.
3 wires spliced/tapped on the radio unit side (constant 12V, radio switch power, and ground)
8 wires spliced on the bose amp side (front and rear spkeaders). The amp is located near front passenger's left leg floor area.
When you are ready to install, I will tell you the wire color code. |
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| nyazai |
| amosliao, can you share the color coding for the 8-wire splice at teh factory amp? Thanks... |
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| amosliao |
quote:
Originally posted by nyazai
amosliao, can you share the color coding for the 8-wire splice at teh factory amp? Thanks...
Here it is: |
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| nyazai |
| Thanks, this is awesome! What manual did this come from? |
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| amosliao |
quote:
Originally posted by nyazai
Thanks, this is awesome! What manual did this come from?
Acura MDX Service manual from www.helminc.com for $67 |
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| Justasktony |
I just got the parrot and will start the install soon, Did you cut off the ISO connectors when you spliced the wires?
Did you connect the radio mute wire? Line In wire? or did you just connect the speakers?
I also can't find which wire is + and which is - on the Radio Mute wire, did you?
Also, the power wire, did you just cut off the ISO adapters and only use the power?
Thanks, When I finish my install I will post pictures... |
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| perk |
quote:
Originally posted by amosliao
Acura MDX Service manual from www.helminc.com for $67
How did you get the system to mute your stereo while a call was on? Does the Bluetooth module require you to splice stereo wiring so that wiring passes through the bluetooth module? Or did you tap into an auto-mute wire that is not shown? Thanks. |
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| amosliao |
quote:
Originally posted by Justasktony
I just got the parrot and will start the install soon, Did you cut off the ISO connectors when you spliced the wires?
Did you connect the radio mute wire? Line In wire? or did you just connect the speakers?
I also can't find which wire is + and which is - on the Radio Mute wire, did you?
Also, the power wire, did you just cut off the ISO adapters and only use the power?
Thanks, When I finish my install I will post pictures...
I had to cut off all the ISO connectors on the Parrot as Acura doesn't use ISO connectors. Same thing with the power/accesory wires.
I didn't connect the mute wire from the Parrot as I have the non-Nav version which doesn't have the mute wire coming out of the head unit. The mute function mutes the radio completely. Without using the mute wire, I get radio music in between phone rings.
As for the + and - Radio mute wires (speaker wires on the Parrot), I had to visit the Mercedes Benz forum to find the wiring diagram for the ISO connectors. I will post that diagram tomorrow when I get home tonight. |
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| amosliao |
quote:
Originally posted by perk
How did you get the system to mute your stereo while a call was on? Does the Bluetooth module require you to splice stereo wiring so that wiring passes through the bluetooth module? Or did you tap into an auto-mute wire that is not shown? Thanks.
The Parrot bluetooth module mutes the stereo on the speaker sides during a phone call.
If your stereo has a mute wire (mabye with the nav version), then you connect the mute wire from the Parrot to your stereo. In this case, your stereo is completely muted. In my case (non-nav with Bose system w/o mute wire), stereo is muted on the speaker side, which means there is music in between phone rings and music in the third row (separate amp from the front amp) at all time. During a phone conversation, I can't even hear the third row music. It works fine.
Yes, the Bluetooth module requires you to splice stereo/speaker wiring. Due to tight space and short wire length on the Bose front amp side, cutting/splicing wires were a little difficult. |
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| Justasktony |
[QUOTE]Originally posted by amosliao
[B]
If your stereo has a mute wire (mabye with the nav version), then you connect the mute wire from the Parrot to your stereo. In this case, your stereo is completely muted. In my case (non-nav with Bose system w/o mute wire), stereo is muted on the speaker side, which means there is music in between phone rings and music in the third row (separate amp from the front amp) at all time.
This got me to thinking, so I looking in the manual and Indeed there is a mute wire.
Cavity 14 (WHT/BLK) wire. with Bose and Navi.
Maybe if you feed the wire in your non BOSE, NAVI to Cavity 14, you might be able to use the mute feature (might)
I have enclosed a copy of the wiring diagram |
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| Justasktony |
| Here are the pins and wires. |
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| amosliao |
This got me to thinking, so I looking in the manual and Indeed there is a mute wire.
Cavity 14 (WHT/BLK) wire. with Bose and Navi.
Maybe if you feed the wire in your non BOSE, NAVI to Cavity 14, you might be able to use the mute feature (might)
I have enclosed a copy of the wiring diagram [/B][/QUOTE]
Actually, I did connect the Parrot mute wire to the radio mute cavity (mine is non-nav. It only has the cavity, but no wire). It didn't mute the stereo, and the whole bluetooth module still works flawlessly.
Not only does the Parrot work great, it prevents my wife from bugging me on how good my TL's bluetooth is and that she doesn't have one.:D |
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| Justasktony |
I wanted to update, I have installed the CK3100 in my 2003. I found it easier to remove the entire Center console. There are 2 bolts and 6 screws, once this is out it is easier to access the Bose Amp. You can also pull the Amp wire out a few more inches to work on it.
When you are doing the wire cutting, make sure you only cut one set at a time, and then connect them. This way you will not screw anything up.
I took constant power from the Amp Molex and 12+v from the Accessory wire on the other side of the console. I took 12- and the constant power (cavity 3, white wire) from the Amp Molex, I was thinking of taking the ACC power from the AMP Molex, but I thought about it and I wanted the Parrot work without the radio on, so I took the power from the Acces.
Everyone make sure you wire AFTER the amp directly to the speakers. Even wired this way, I have turn the volume way down. |
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| Jay0427 |
I'm getting ready to install the Parrot CK3100 system into my '03 Touring w/ Nav.
Are there any pointers or diagram cheat sheets that anyone could offer to help me along?
I always get nervous at the thought of "splicing" wires!:eek:
Thanks again
Jay |
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| Justasktony |
quote:
Originally posted by Jay0427
I'm getting ready to install the Parrot CK3100 system into my '03 Touring w/ Nav.
Are there any pointers or diagram cheat sheets that anyone could offer to help me along?
I always get nervous at the thought of "splicing" wires!:eek:
Thanks again
Jay
The first thing is to take out the center console. You will have more room.
The AMP is hard to get at so be careful. I suggest as I did above, cut one wire, connect one wire. You have to do this I think 8 times, but it is worth it. I have really enjoied having Bluetooth in the X. |
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| Jay0427 |
Tony:
I sent a PM to ya w/ a couple questions.
Thanks
Jay0427 |
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| solomon |
1) Has no one done this on a Nav-equipped MDX yet? Thinking of doing our '02 Touring/Nav and curious about the mute function on Navi-equipped vehicles.
2) Did anyone try and get the Acura connectors so an interposer cable could be made? Any success or failure stories here?
3) Is there another thread or "better" way to do this on the '02? I love the Parrot feature set and am very close to installing one in another vehicle, but that car has ISO connections so wiring will be a little easier. Curious if anyone has other methods for MDX BT retrofits...
TIA,
Richard |
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| Jay0427 |
Solomon:
I finished my install about a month or so ago on my '03 MDX w/Nav.
The Parrot loom, when wired inline between the BOSE amp and speaker line outs will mute the front and rear speakers which is sufficient for using the Parrot unit. Note: the subwoofer and center channel will not mute due to the fact that they are running on a seperate rear amplifier. However, most of us that have done this install have noticed no impact from this. As far as wiring into the NAV mute, to my knowledge, no one has successfully wired this to work. If I'm incorrect, somebody PLEASE speak up because I'd love to know! :-)
I emailed a company in the UK that are experts in custom wiring looms for the Parrot unit (SIO Communications..GREAT PEOPLE!) and nothing exists that interfaces directly with our vehicles...specifically Acura. Again, this could have changed but to my knowledge there is no possibility of this.
I referred to this thread extensively and with the kind help of JustaskTony, I got 'er done! I've seen other threads re: the Parrot installation but nothing specific to the Acura MDX.
So bottom line is you will probably end up splicing the speaker line out's and wiring the Parrot loom between the splices.
Let me know if I can assist in any way...would be glad to help ya out. I also have access to any schematic you want for your vehicle so if that will help you, I'm glad to assist.
Good luck if you take the plunge. It's a great unit!
Jay |
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| Justasktony |
quote:
Originally posted by Jay0427
Solomon:
I finished my install about a month or so ago on my '03 MDX w/Nav.
The Parrot loom, when wired inline between the BOSE amp and speaker line outs will mute the front and rear speakers which is sufficient for using the Parrot unit. Note: the subwoofer and center channel will not mute due to the fact that they are running on a seperate rear amplifier.
I now can't think of the X without it. I am playing around with the location of the unit itself (I had it above the left vent, near the power for the AC). I moved it down to be even with the zoom buttons for the navi this helped with reading the display. I wonder if Parrot has different versions that look different and still plug into the same base unit.
I like it so much, I am now thinking about putting in a 05 radio (incorporates it) I have ordered the HELM manual, spoke with friends at R&D at Honda, and almost ready to "upgrade" the radio itself.
YOU SHOULD DO IT! it is only like 8-12 wires, a few hours, then days of enjoyment. We all will help you.
Tony |
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| dipersp |
| I was looking at some wiring diagrams between the NAVI and the radio (Was looking at the mute.) Then I saw some line input to the radio from the Navi. Don't you think we could use that somehow instead of going between the amp and speakers? |
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| Justasktony |
quote:
Originally posted by dipersp
I was looking at some wiring diagrams between the NAVI and the radio (Was looking at the mute.) Then I saw some line input to the radio from the Navi. Don't you think we could use that somehow instead of going between the amp and speakers?
The reason we are wiring after the amp is the unit itself (Parrot) has a lot of Punch, meaning it is REAL REAL LOUD!. In theory, why not, then you would use your radio to control the volume, but. The navi sends commands to mute (via that wire) then plays back through the radio...Sounds like it could work if you did it that way. I wanted the parrot to work even if the radio was off. Wiring direct to the speakers, you can accomplish this. The amp location is the best place because all of the wires are right there and there is power near-by. I also tried to do my set-up and use the navi mute, but no mute....SO I followed everyone else and did it the other way.
You would still need to cut wires, the amp is located near the passenger seat and for me was much easier to access and very easy to cut the wires. I also didn't want to ruin my Navi/Radio in case I cut the wrong wires or interupted my navi system because of an add on. |
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| cgreco |
I'm thinking about getting a SonyEricsson HCB-300 and I'm curious if the supplied mute cable can connect to the radio in my MDX ('03 Touring w/ DVD, no navi). There's also an optional advanced music mute cable for muting the radio and using the stereo speakers for sound. Any thoughts on whether that would work with the radio in my car? TIA
cgreco |
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| saiyolang |
I just got this device for X-Mas.
Can some help me. I need pictures of where is the cable harness located from the amp to tap the wires in.
Thanks |
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| brad89 |
| Does anyone still look at this thread? I'm interested in installing tha parrot in my 03 MDX and all of the pics from the thread are gone. Anyone have any install instructions for the MDX? |
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| solomon |
quote:
Originally posted by dj-mdx2
Here's the wiring diagram: Parrot 3100 for 01-04 MDX
Wow, I haven't been following this thread that closely, but I didn't realize there was a plug-n-play harness from Parrot like that! Can anyone confirm it works on an '02 MDX? I might just have to upgrade the wife's EasyDrive!
TIA,
Richard |
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| dj-mdx2 |
quote:
Originally posted by solomon
Wow, I haven't been following this thread that closely, but I didn't realize there was a plug-n-play harness from Parrot like that! Can anyone confirm it works on an '02 MDX? I might just have to upgrade the wife's EasyDrive!
TIA,
Richard
The original poster installed it in a 2002, FWIW :D |
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| solomon |
quote:
Originally posted by dj-mdx2
The original poster installed it in a 2002, FWIW :D
Yeah, but (at least as I read his posts) he didn't use the harness you posted, he actually cut and spliced into wires elsewhere.... The harness makes it plug-and-play - or perhaps more importantly - unplug-and-unplay.
I was hoping not to be the guinea pig on the cool harness ;)
I'll likely install one in my Audi first, where it is plug-n-play from the factory then see about upgrading the MDX - assuming I like the CK3100 as much as I expect to.
Richard |
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| dj-mdx2 |
quote:
Originally posted by solomon
Yeah, but (at least as I read his posts) he didn't use the harness you posted, he actually cut and spliced into wires elsewhere....
I was hoping not to be the guinea pig on the cool harness ;)
Richard
Point well taken. Please be the guinea pig and let me know how it goes as I am itching to tackle this myself. :cool: |
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| jerfo |
quote:
Originally posted by dj-mdx2
Point well taken. Please be the guinea pig and let me know how it goes as I am itching to tackle this myself. :cool:
For what it's worth, I installed a CK3100 into my MDX last week using a homemade ISO adapter. Basically, I bought one of these (http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=172), one of these (http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=620), clipped the connectors off of the Parrot ISO harness, and spliced everything together based upon the pinouts here (http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/show...ut&pagenumber=3) and here (http://www.parrot.biz/support/insta...hemas.php?id=47). There will be a few cables on the harnesses that do not correspond to cables on the Parrot interface. In those cases, simply splice the harness cables together. (If you forget to do that, everything will power up but you won't get any sound.) Once I created this vast spider web of cabling, I plugged the existing head unit cable into the BHA1721 end, and then plugged the BHO1721 end into the head unit. The only issue is that there are a few cables missing from these two Honda/Acura harnesses...for example, they're missing connector #3, which is likely the one used for the steering wheel radio controls. So, I've lost my steering wheel radio controls; it's no big loss for me, since they never worked properly to begin with. Otherwise, the device works extremely well and I can't imagine my MDX without it. I've mounted the LCD to one of my vents and ran the microphone behind the steering wheel. I'll try to take a couple of pictures and post them in the next day or two.
If you're not keen on losing your steering wheel controls, you'll need to figure out how to connect a cable from pin 3 (I think) of one harness to the other. It would be pretty easy to do.
- Jerfo |
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| purpleMDX |
There is now a plug and play retrofit harness for the MDX and any of the Parrot bluetooth handsfree kits - see www.quickconnectproducts.com
QCHon-1 for non amplified MDX
QCHBB-HA for the MDX with Bose/premium amp |
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| dailo |
| Has anyone tried this yet? I am thinking about doing this on my 2003 MDX, but not sure how to do the install. Anyone have a guide for this? Seems like you just need to plug the harness in and that's it? |
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| midnightMDX |
| Nice! Glad it work out well! :D |
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