i saw some people had some problems or questions, my instal went "fairly" smoothly. so if you have any questions maybe i can help if not tell me what you think.

Question though if anyone can answer, i have a alpine type r 12 with alpine m500 box in a custom fiberglass corner box that i made also. It plays PERFECT and doesnt cut out thanks to the new head unit. However when i play music through bluetooth the sub doesnt play at all but the amp stays on and the sub plays perfect when listening to music any other way. If anyone knows ill take any help on that.

 

there's a setting on the headunit when you play through bluetooth that says something like 'subwoofer: on / off' and you have to choose on

 

Thanks! I knew there had to be something like that ill try it tommorow. Have you installed the metra kit? or the headunit?

 

i have the head unit. i had the same 'problem' too but figured it out. and i'm having issues with the metra kit

 

Okay I couldn't figure out the Bluetooth thing lol any chance you could explain to me how to get to that setting. And what seems to be the problem with the metra kit maybe I can help

 

Go to the Bluetooth option and hit mode. Scroll down and for 'Bluetooth HF/audio' change that to all and see if that works

 

yeah i figured it out thank you though! what did you need help with on the metra kit> you said you had a few problems with it

 

oh my audio guy told me that they gave me a bad axxess box (like it wasn't carrying current or something like that) because NOTHING that plugged into the axxess box worked except the emergency lights, so i just called crutchfield and they're sending me a new one right now :D hopefully that solves my problem

 

Be sure that you connected the Fan and Temp extensions to the correct control. They are identical cables and, with the rats nest of wiring the has to be jammed into the radio opening, it is very easy to get the connections wrong. Metra has a warning in the manual that states that connecting them wrongly can cause malfunctions or damage to the Axxess box.

 

Does the DVD player work while car is in motion?

 

ohh alright well hopefully that works, if not message me, you did connect you ground, power and spliced all other wires together correct?

 

yes the dvd player works while driving, I bought the "adapter" thing to make it work. And then as i installed everything else i realize all i had to do was ground the parking break wire, so ill be returning that $10 scam. So yes just wire the parking wire you the same ground as you headunit

Yes, the plug has a label that says fan and the other says temp (if i remember correctly) i will be pulling it apart again soon to fix something though so i will check again to make sure.

 

Can you tell me what $10 thing you are talking about? I grounded mine but it doesn't work. It only works when I attach it to my parking break. I think maybe it has to ground after its on.

I am thinking of putting in a toggle switch or something, but that seems pretty annoying to do every time.

 

The parking brake is a ground when engaged. Kenwood's should just be able to attach the wire to ground once. It doesn't look for the ground/open/ground sequence that some others do (which is when most people use a switch). Or you can search for a bypass method, like the Pioneer's have. I'm sure there's something available. (Illegal for me to install, so I don't really look into it much)

 

this is what i ordered, i still have it sitting in my cupholder because i didnt use it lol. thats weird it doesnt work, you sure you grounded the headunit to the correct spot? idk what else it could be, id have to think about that one

 

yes its illegal to install but who would even know... you are gonna get pulled over and asked if you headunit works while driving. plus the bypass is the size of a penny and goes in behind the headunit (unless you ground it and dont use the bypass)nobody would know.

 

Just meant I'm not risking the liability of my company or my job so you can roll around watching Finding Nemo. People are sue-happy these days. So if it's illegal, I'm not doing it.

Now then. In my own car, or away from the shop, of course I would.

 

OHH sorry I didn't get you meant that for a work vehicle! I wouldn't risk doing that either lol

 

I bought the Kenwood DDX419 unit last year and I am finally ready to install it. I wanted to ask...

Is there a wire harness adapter needed to connect to the car's existing plug? It's not obvious if laxxman111 or dlum125 used a harness adapter or got down and dirty with the wires.

I'd like to get all the parts I need before pulling the head unit out. Found a great walk through of that by the way... Mazda RX-8 - Neo iON Installation Guide


Thanks!

 

Welcome to the forum. Please review the FAQ at the top of the forum, as this is a very basic question that is answered within. The Metra kit has everything you'll need, including the harness.

 

Yup, I have the metra kit. I just checked the install instructions and all my parts. The option offered here is going to involve getting down and dirty (solder gun)-- The kit is shipped with essentially half a harness.

1. Can you describe what I'll find behind the head unit?
Specifically:
2. Is there a section that I can disconnect and remove to do the soldering?
3. Should I plan on cutting OEM wiring?

 

You've never installed an aftermarket head unit have you?

 

Actually I have, in several different types of vehicles. I pulled out my Mazda 3's head unit a ton of times. As well as those on a Beretta, Intrepid and Liberty. The last after market stereo I installed had an in-between harness that I had to chop and join.

I've never installed a touch screen, and I've never pulled out my RX8's head unit. That's why I'm posting to this forum.

I realize the sticky is very helpful, but it's lacking pictures and the description I'm looking for. I don't think it's helpful to say that 'a kit has everything you need' and refuse to describe the process.

If you can't describe it or don't want to provide an answer, please avoid replying. My garage hours are limited, and I'm trying to collect preliminary info so I can schedule the work without causing disruption to my family.

 

Take it easy newbie. I really didn't mean to be curt, but am just downright surprised anybody with ANY audio experience would ask such questions. This isn't that difficult. The main audio harness included with the Metra kit will plug into your OEM head unit harness. You will then connect the Metra harness to the harness that came with your Kenwood. Use whatever connection method you prefer (solder and heatshrink, tape, crimp caps, butt connectors, etc). This is the EXACT same method you'd use when installing any head unit into any car.

While some 3rd party small-name people on eBay sell brand specific aftermarket head unit direct to specific vehicle harnesses, they're very uncommon and something you rarely see. Years ago, Circuit City used to sell these little "speed harnesses" that allowed you to buy your vehicle harness and then a second head unit harness that would plug right in. However that intermediate plug-in connection was usually pretty lousy. Plus you're making the customer buy a second head unit harness that really wasn't necessary.


Metra has since stopped making anything like that. And certainly nothing like that is made for the RX8. This isn't a real difficult install (few audio installs are), but it's not exactly plug and play either... The included Metra instructions should be all anyone needs. If you can't follow them (specifically page 6), then I strongly suggest you take it to a professional installer.

And just so it's black and white, NO, DO NOT CUT ANY OEM WIRING.

 

That's some high level type response right there! I crawled through the Metra manual and the Kenwood manual and see a wiring diagram in both so i know what each wire does. I should have laid all all the equipment before asking.

I'm not a newb, i'm a LURKER Thanks for the help bird-man!