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EX Aftermarket Stereo

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Sarcasto

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Accord VIII
Hi all,

I'm new here.
I'm seriously considering buying Accord VIII 2.2 Diesel Auto EX, however the car has one major drawback for me, which is no BT Audio option with original sat nav unit. Although I read there is an option to buy additional BT module which you can connect to instead of CD changer, but I'm 99% sure this won't work with Nav unit. Could someone kindly confirm if that's the case, if so could anyone point me in the right direction to upgrade the system? I don't care too much about CD player. Some aftermarket stereo maybe? but what loom to buy to have a controls from the steering wheel. I will have roughly £700 to spend on this after I buy a car a do first service on it. As long as it would be plug and play i could probably do it myself.

Please help, I really don't want to cross off this car from the list of potential buys just because of this little (at least I think it's little) inconvenience, although it's very important for me.
 
DAB highway kit should solve this. I have one and it works fine in my 8th Gen. About 60 quid
 
This is what I added to my 2013 Accord 2.2 I-DTEC
 

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The EX audio system is a completely different beast by comparison to the lower spec Accords.
Upgrading any parts of the audio system on the EX is or can be a right pain. Its not just a plug and play swap, Had a DAB highway and it did not work at all on my EX, ended up with the original Honda plug in module made by Autoleads unfortunately no-longer available.
 
I had a 7th Gen EX and fitted a Grom BT3 unit to it so I could stream BT music to the stereo.
It worked well but unfortunately after my car was rear ended it was removed by the insurance company before I was able to remove it.
I know Grom audio have an additional module that can be retrofitted that allows much more functionality to the stock system with carplay and android auto as well as lots of other features.
Its called the VL line V2 interface.

CarPlay Android Auto Navigation Upgrade Acura

Acura CarPlay Android Auto Navigation Upgrade
gromaudio.com gromaudio.com
 
I have had two options which are working:
1. Xcarlink, you will need to connect it to the back of the audio unit, can't remember if I needed a Y-cable for the Accord (definitely need one for the Civic)
2. Amazon Auto - currently using this and loving it, very easy to connect to the AUX port. If you want tidy looks, you can route the cabling through the central console into the armrest glove box where the aux connector is.
 
Hey, new to the forum so sorry to hijack the post.
I currently have a Honda Accord Mk8 EX model which has the factory satnav. I was wondering if anyone has managed to install an aftermarket double din unit?

I know if install the double din stereo where the satnav controls are I will loose the aircon display, but could I not replace the satnav screen with the none satnav display to show the aircon information for heating, temperature etc?
Any help would be appreciated.
 
What about this
€ 253,11 51％ Off | Android Car DVD For Honda Spirior / Accord ( 2009-2013) Car Radio Multimedia Video Player Navigation GPS Android 10.0 Double DIn
I dont have the navi but have premium sound, 10 speakers. My question is will it power all of the speakers and will i be able to control center , woofer , front and rear like i can in OEM radio, the fact that the upgrade stereo should work same as the iphone does becous it uses the same input but i dont get it how can i adjust center and woofer over the upgrade stereo if that is the case than i would be able to adjust it with iphone too ?
 
@smokingman totally agree the premium sound kit was far superior to my standard setup. I ended up having to buy a Bose amp, Sub and new speaker setup to work with the Kenwood double din. Sounds epic now
 
Drejc112 said:
What about this
€ 253,11 51％ Off | Android Car DVD For Honda Spirior / Accord ( 2009-2013) Car Radio Multimedia Video Player Navigation GPS Android 10.0 Double DIn
I dont have the navi but have premium sound, 10 speakers. My question is will it power all of the speakers and will i be able to control center , woofer , front and rear like i can in OEM radio, the fact that the upgrade stereo should work same as the iphone does becous it uses the same input but i dont get it how can i adjust center and woofer over the upgrade stereo if that is the case than i would be able to adjust it with iphone too ?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure where you're located but be aware they don't fit the UK model according to the sellers.
 
If they dont fit uk models than it wont fit mine, its an euro version uk or mine.
thank you
 
I think just to clarify it's LHD only the dash must not be symmetrical not that I've noticed when doing my tablet install (which I really should get on an finish).
 
I found Dension DAB+U , it plugs in to original usb port and it simulates it in tu mp3 , in the build in playlist there are functions for search the stations and than it makes more files in the playlist appearing like they are mp3s for different stations so you can use your steering commands or on the radio to change stations. Also theres some kind of built in buffer that works with oem FM buffer , dont know what that is, and they offer a pass through for USB so you can use both the DAB+ system and usb plug for your regular use, no need to unplug the dab .
Ohh and there is antena that you need to put somewhere.
The site is in slovenian language ,
www.orangeaudio.si

Vmesnik Dension DAB+U Mp3 vmesniki | Avtoakustika na OrangeAudio.si

Dension DAB+U digitalni radio sprejemnik predstavlja rešitev za sprejemanje digitalnega signala preko USB priključka , tako v vašem avtu kot doma. Deluje kot USB ključek z MP3 datotekami , ki simulira radijske postaje kot neskončno dolga MP3 glasbena datoteka . Preko Dension DAB+U...
www.orangeaudio.si www.orangeaudio.si
 
zahirh said:
Hey, new to the forum so sorry to hijack the post.
I currently have a Honda Accord Mk8 EX model which has the factory satnav. I was wondering if anyone has managed to install an aftermarket double din unit?

I know if install the double din stereo where the satnav controls are I will loose the aircon display, but could I not replace the satnav screen with the none satnav display to show the aircon information for heating, temperature etc?
Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Hi any update on this? Looking to put an aftermarket stereo.
 
New to forum and have a similar issue. Based in the UK I have just purchased a JDM Accord Gen 8 CW2 wagon and looking at ICE upgrade options. I have no idea whether this is the case with all the JDM Nav optioned Gen 8's but the JDM unit on mine is not the premium powered system but ia cingle CD/DVD SATNAV (Japanese only) unit with reversing camera. (Image at bottom of post) With the aid of Google translate I have hooked up BT handsfree but there is no option to stream music from my phone There is also no dedicated AUX socket in the bin between the seats, but the USB connection does enable me to play music from an ancient IPOD!


Losing my original radio and nav control unit will mean losing the aircon/time etc info currently displayed on the strip screen. I can see non-SATNAV units have this info displayed on the top screen and whilst swapping out this top unit for a non-NAV screen would be great, the whole binnacle appears to be larger on the NAV version cars. Can anyone confirm this is the case?

Honda dealers have been useless for any help and the few installers I have spoken to have all said the same thing. They need to take it out and have a look at what connections and what options are available...if any!

A vid of a similar looking unit (North American) but with a CD changer being removed:

Before I go down that road has anybody successfully updated a JDM head unit or have any advice?
 

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Leonard said:
Yes me too. So far not much luck with the digging.
Click to expand...

There's some good info that I found in the other recent thread abut this topic here:

My new JDM Gen 8 Accord CW2 2.4 Type S and specifically how to upgrade the head unit. | TypeAccord - Honda Resource

In short it's possible but it's an incredibly expensive endeavour,

Since then I also found the following company selling a kit to convert our cars to double DIN - it's for Acrua TSX 2009-2013 but it should be the same as Accord Mk8 / "Accord Euro"

You need the following parts to convert everything:
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Acura TSX Aftermarket Radio Install Complete Kit - Mobile Max Car Audio
2009 10 11 12 2013 Acura TL TSX Factory Backup Camera Retention Harness - Mobile Max Car Audio
2009 10 11 12 13 Acura TL TSX Climate Control Conversion Harness - Navigation to Non Nav - Mobile Max Car Audio

Just for the above its $385 shipped to the UK (plus VAT and potentially import duty on top) - i'd call it £400

Then, in addition to the above, you need a base model climate control screen from a breakers yard / ebay / etc, I found some on ebay for about £20
and there is also a storage cubby you can get from a base model car to replace the redundant CD changer from the centre console, let's say £30 for that

And that's before you even buy an actual head unit! So another £300 there:

Total cost: £750
Installation parts/harness from USA: £400
Base model climate screen / cubby: £50
Double DIN head unit: upwards of £300

Potentially you could save some money by modifying all the looms yourself but I haven't found a good pinout for these purposes, if anyone has found that on your travels it would be good to know!
 
An update to this, I have now ordered all of the parts I think I need as I managed to shop around a lot and get a few of them off AliExpress where the prices are a lot lower. The reverse camera loom for example, the wiring for the Accord camera looks the same as a Honda CR-V and you can get wiring harnesses for those a lot easier

I'll hold off posting more detail until I've tested it all out as don't want to waste anyone's time, and I've still not decided on a head unit yet...
 
Hello. Thank you for your reply, it looks like you have been researching a long time on this topic. Is there any update, will we ever manage to keep our reverse camera functions/air con display etc and have carplay as well :)) ?
 
Leonard said:
Hello. Thank you for your reply, it looks like you have been researching a long time on this topic. Is there any update, will we ever manage to keep our reverse camera functions/air con display etc and have carplay as well :)) ?
Click to expand...

The harness available from ebay or mobilemaxcaraudio.com should achieve this, I have ordered it and I hope I will be able to get all the parts together in the next few weeks and will post an update when I can

I intend to document the pinout of the cable as it is really expensive to get it sent from the USA, maybe it will help someone to make their own and save a bit of money. I couldn't find the connectors available online - I did try to purchase a dashboard loom from a breakers yard but they wanted £100 for it which is more than the premade adaptor (cost me $80 shipped to the UK which is £63 at time of writing)
 
Actually from the first part you stated, it looks like you plan to do a full conversion to the lesser model, having the screen lower. If that is the case, then it means there is not much out there. Really bugs me that we would have to do a full conversion. The current placement on my EX of the NAV, on the top it seats right, rather than lower on lower spec (aftermarket). I will keep looking as planning to find one system that would allow to replace the actual original NAV screen on the EX model with another (carplay) and keep all functions otherwise there is no point of doing it as it will not look right my opinion :(
 
Leonard said:
Actually from the first part you stated, it looks like you plan to do a full conversion to the lesser model, having the screen lower. If that is the case, then it means there is not much out there. Really bugs me that we would have to do a full conversion. The current placement on my EX of the NAV, on the top it seats right, rather than lower on lower spec (aftermarket). I will keep looking as planning to find one system that would allow to replace the actual original NAV screen on the EX model with another (carplay) and keep all functions otherwise there is no point of doing it as it will not look right my opinion :(
Click to expand...

Yes, that's right, it seems to be the only way to install a standard double DIN head unit - there are some units on aliexpress that appear to fit on top of the upper screen but I don't want to get involved with that, personally.

Maybe something like this would work for you?

2012 acura tsx android radio review oem style! - YouTube
Andorid 10 For Honda Accord 8 Euro 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Multimedia Player Acura Tsx 2009 Car Radio GPS Apple Carplay - AliExpress
 
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Well good luck ! Keep us updated please, maybe it would look right ! :)
 
All of the ridiculous number of parts are here, finally!

PXL_20231219_134850030.MP.jpg

I will do the fitting over the time off over christmas, hopefully everything is working!
 
Some progress on this although not done yet due to a few issues

The climate control display adapter works, which was the bit I was most worried about as it was quite expensive to import the adaptor from the USA:

ucbdchs.jpg


The connector doesn't have a latching section on it so I used a cable tie to secure them together (that's what that long black thing is, I hadn't trimmed the excess when I took the photo)

Main issues so far:
It turns out the EX stereo system is not the same as the "ELS" system in the USA and has different connectors on the rear so a few adaptors I ordered based on that model weren't correct.

I have this adaptor for the reverse camera:
s-l1200.jpg


The cable for the reverse camera adaptor has a 24 pin connector, which from photos looks the same, but the car has a 28 pin connector. I can't find anything for sale and don't want to risk the time/expense ordering more stuff from the USA so as the reverse camera should only be 4 wires, I will try to cut into the harness that goes to the navigation screen and connect them.... It's a bit hard to work out what exactly is going on from ESM but I think the connector for the sat nav screen connects directly to the camera. I think if I supply 12v to the adapter I bought, it should step that down to 8v (there's a PCB covered in heatshrink on the adapter which I believe is doing that), and then splice that to the wire that powers the camera, and connect the ground somewhere, the camera should get powered up. Then tap into the 2 wires for video signal on the (now unused) connector behind the sat nav screen with the RCA connector part of the I should be able to see the video signal... in theory. I'll post more if/when I get it working.

The steering wheel controls harness and the "main" harness both share the same connector so I will have to splice/re-pin those together to make one harness.

On the plus side, the head unit powers up and audio comes through, so that's a bonus...

Also a massive fail from me personally, the Alpine head unit I ordered is 8" and doesn't fit the apeture of the dash kit.... so i've had to order a smaller 7" unit that should fit properly this time ... urgh. I did consider hacking up the dash kit in a moment of madness but it would never look right so I resisted.

More to follow
 
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Had a bit more success today now that the second head unit has arrived... and fits the dash kit...

Reverse camera is working:

geRDYAS.jpg


I had to splice the wires from the (now unused) navigation display connector but it all works fine. The adaptor provides 6v to the camera and it works fine, despite the service manual indicating the camera feed as 8v. I hooked up the power to the reverse light along with the head unit's reverse connection, this powers the camera and changes the head unit to display reverse camera. I took the reverse light signal by tapping into a light blue wire on the drivers side relay box

Steering wheel controls working although I had to splice 2 different harnesses together to connect it

The only issue I now have is the maximum volume of the head unit is a bit low, I think this is because the factory system controls the amplifier in the boot by sending control signals to it, rather than just increasing the line level volume

I was somewhat prepared for this possibility - there are two options - one is to replace the factory amp with a an aftermarket one, or to go for this solution - unfortunately both are another expense I didn't really want to have but i'm in too deep now...:

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Acura ELS Audio Amplifier Retention Interface - Mobile Max Car Audio - I have ordered this unit and will report how I get on.

Currently it is loud enough to listen to and the sound is coming out of all speakers but I'd estimate it's stuck at about 50% volume.
 
Finally everything is in and working

I'll make a proper post/guide explaining all the parts that are needed once I get a few hours to draw out some diagrams etc

The ELS interface from Acura Audio Garage worked great and didn't really need any modifications

CD changer unit removed and replaced with the base model storage cubby

I installed the volume knob above the driver's left knee as there's space behind the panel here to feed the wire through - it basically gives you a gain control for the amplifier in the boot. I did originally consider mounting it to the head unit fascia but the space behind was too tight without serious surgery with a dremel which I didn't want to do and risk damaging the expensive panel. The interior trims are much cheaper and easier to find from a scrap yard!

G08uSQ8.jpg
 
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