I know that numerous people in RX8club have problems such as display going bad and center unit not working. I had a similar problem. My display was blank, and the faceplat and HVAC did not work. This happened when I tried to install ipod integration kit. I searched this forum for 3 months. However, I did not have any luck. But, tonigt, I finally solved my problem. So, I thought I should make a brief thread about this since there's nothing in the forum that gives solutions to the problems. So...............well, here is the solution to the problem discussed above.

Symptom-Blank display, Faceplate not working, HVAC not functioning except the fan speed.

Possible cause of the problem- Lose connection between the faceplate and cd/radio caused when you took out the headunit. Broken faceplate, or fried unit.

Diagnostic-First, try to control the CD/Radio using the steering wheel control.

If you are lucky enough to have cd in your head unit, eject the cd, and put it back. This will turn the radio/cd on. (Make sure that you do not take out the CD completely. Otherwise, you cannot put the CD back in since you faceplate is broken.) Then, turn the volume on, using the steering wheel control. You can hear the noise if your cd/radio is working.

If not,just get new CD/Radio because you probably fried it.

Once you did the step above, take out the head unit. you can pretty much follow the steps described in the video below.

Radio removal video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG77cRRaWPM

Then, separate the faceplate from the radio/cd. Examine and check if there is any plastic deformation/ damage on the circuit board of the faceplate. If you see deformation, order new faceplate.

For HVAC, if you fanspeed control was working then, your HVAC is probably fine. If not, follow the soldering/fixing process in DIY forum. If it still does not work, order one.

Solution to the problem
Now, you know what part of headunit is broken. Get the replacement for the damaged parts and follow the step below.

1.Remove the headunit from dash.

2.Take the faceplate off from the radio/CD

3. Bend the bracket of the frame of CD/radio toward where the connectors go. The brackets I'm refering to are ones where the screws that connect the faceplate and the radio go.

BEND only slightly. Seriously, these brackets should be made of Aluminum or something. They bend easily. Bend about 3 degrees. Most of the time, when you take out the head unit, you bend the bracket. Thus, when you put the head unit back on, there's a gap between the faceplate and CD/radio. That is why you expereince the problems mentioned in the beginning (Bad connection). Thus, by bending the bracket backward, you are making the gap disappear.

4. Now, here's where you should be really careful. Using some sort of flashlight, try to alight the connector of the faceplate to the pins of CD/radio.

This is very important since it's where all the problems stem from. Try to align them perfectly. Bad alignment causes faulty connections which will only power the headunit (ex. The headunit will only lit (still buttons not working) when you turn the light on your car).

5. Once the faceplate and the radio/CD are aligned, put the headunit back on, and see it this works. Most of the time it should work (at least, mine worked).


I wish i took some pictures. But, my phone was running out of juice so I couldn't. I know it's really hard to follow. But, at least you can give it a shot. SO..........

ANYWAY, GOOD LUCK!

*ALL THE WORK IS DONE AT YOUR OWN RISK. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE WORK HERE. DON'T MAKE STUPID MISTAKE AND BLAME OTHER PEOPLE.*

 

[QUOTE=Rx8 supreame;3932531]Hi
Im having similar problem.....

At random i loose power to all buttons on audio system and fan ***** and fan speed, it flickers on and off some time stay and all functions will work as normal then just goes off....

Its a intermitting problem.... Ive checked all fuses and cables and connecters?????

When its goes on and off i hear small tick noise coming i think from drivers side???

Can anyone please help



Pleassssssse
H

 

did you follow the steps in the OP's post?

 

jshin22 - Thanks for that info.

 

Ops post please send me link

 

yeah my cd button is the only one not working, any ideas?

 

Thanks for the info! Will take the head unit out tomorrow and check.

 

Did any of you try this and get the display to work???

 

Quick question, while doing this do you need to disconnect the battery or is leaving it connected when messing with this? I've got fan speed controls but no radio/display/hvac controls.

 

Nevermind, I did it without unplugging the battery last night, worked like a charm thanks!

 

My faceplate and display flickers for a bit then goes blank and sometimes my faceplate radio display and everything shuts down completely then it will power up again my guess was a loose connection but could it be those two connectors you were talking about that connect the faceplate to the stereo? I would like to fix this tomorrow if possible before I completely loose my mind!!

 

I had this problem today after fixing my climate control issue .... cutting to the chase I just forgot to plug a wire back in duhh

 

thanks for the info, everything you said worked like a charm, and save me a a lot of $$$

 

Anyone have pictures? Would be a little easier to follow. Much appreciated.

 

Success!

 

I tried installing a similar Ipod/aux harness into the head unit earlier today. When i went to test it i had lost the display and controls for the radio like mentioned above. I tried starting the car to see if the display would come on for any random reason, and nothing. I let it sit for a few hours while at work and when i started messing with it again I realized I had never disconnected the battery before pulling the head unit. Thats where I knew I screwed up, so i tried starting the car and now I have power to accessories with the first key turn but it wont turn over or even attempt to start. I think it might be the ignition fuse under the hood but i cant seem to pull it out to inspect it. If anyone could shine some light on this issue id appreciate it.

 

I took some pictures of the faceplate and the radio. I will see if I can take a picture of the gap between the faceplate and the head unit. I will also update the success or failure. Turns out that faceplate connects the screws are not able to set in. Faceplate plastic is cracked will need to repair the plastic, while installing the display and radio worked but I am sure the faceplate screws prevent the pins from setting correctly.
So I repaired all the cracks in the faceplate and some of the metal inserts were staying in place so I bonded those pieces to the faceplate also. I bent the tabs that connect the faceplate to the inserts and when I was done it worked, the display showed and it even fixed the air conditioner that was tied in.
This was a labor of love and i just wanted to thank you all for your posts that gave me the guidance to tackle this issue.
Now I need to install an AUX cable should have done this earlier but i first needed to know that the stereo was working and that the display was also working.

 

Score! Right on target!
Only thing to add... I blasted all connections with electronics cleaner from the autoparts stores... success.

Thanks!
Shawn

 

Thank you so much, did the radio frame bending trick and now full center console is working again.

 

Damn disregard....problem came back....radio just keeps turning on and off, even with the keys out. No hvac controls and display just stay on what it was when it started. Pulled room fuse to stop everything so i can at least drive it for now

 

Anyone have the part number for the faceplate with the connectors?

 

So i have a 2005 rx8 and my head unit works but the lcd back light wont turn on if i shine a flash light on it i can see what chanel im on ect. I tried buying a new one i still have the same problem. What happend was my buddy hit the side of the stario and the back light went out.

 

You tried a new display or a new stereo? It sounds like the display backlight went out, or potentially there's a break in its connector. Maybe try to wiggle thr connector with the display on and see if the backlight comes on. But my money is on a problem in the display itself.