The following is a description of how I was able to install my new iPod into my 2001 Honda Civic EX.
Edit 2003-07-20 13:07 – added the pictures
1) Acquire the necessary parts and do your homework…
- First, you’ll need the HON-AUX input converter, available from Logjam Electronics – I bought mine for ~$50 + S&H. This plugs into the CD-Changer port which is located on the back of the your stock head unit, and talks the unit into thinking that a set of RCA inputs is really a CD changer. (If you’re clever, you’ll see how this can be used to tie in a satellite radio unit like XM or Sirius as well!)
- Second, the HON-AUX converter provides female stereo RCA jacks, so you’ll need either a cable or adapter which converts 2 male RCA jacks to a 1/8″ stereo jack. I ended up with a $20 Monster Cable (because Best Buy was out of cheaper ones), but you can find one at your local RadioShack for under $10 – try part numbers 42-2551 ($6.99) or 42-2483 ($7.99).
- Third, a power supply for your iPod. I’ve got one of the new 10GB ones with the Dock connector on the bottom, so I went with the Belkin unit, which you can get at an Apple retail store, or buy it online from Apple for $39.99
- Fourth (optional), something to put your iPod on/in. I found a cell-phone holder at RadioShack for $21.99 which seems to work fine.
- Fifth, tools. I used a couple metric sockets (8 and 10 mm), a flathead screwdriver, and a cordless drill.
- Sixth, your stereo security code. In the packet of material that came with your owners manual, there should be a small card/sticker which contains your radio’s serial number and the security code for it (a 5-digit number). You’ll need this or your radio won’t work when you’re done!
2) Opening the center console and removing the stereo.
For this section, I relied on a couple illustrations from this page at carstereohelp.com. Print it up and take it out to your car with you!
a) Before doing any electrical work on your car, always disconnect the power. Pop open the hood and disconnect the negative battery terminal. The bolt on mine was tough to get a normal wrench at, but a 10mm socket wrench worked fine.
b) Remove the lower center panel (where the cigarette lighter plug is located at). It’s easiest to pry gently at the bottom left and right sides first – then the panel comes off fairly easily. Disconnect the power plug to the cigarette lighter (it pulls off).
Blue arrows indicate the points where the securing clips are located at. The two on the right side are mirrored in the left. Click the pic for a bigger view.
c) Following the diagrams you printed up, there are two bolts holding in the radio / air conditioner control assembly which are located under the top edge of the open panel. I just reclined the seat and laid upside-down with my head under the steering wheel to get good access. The bolts are both 8mm heads. Yellow arrows on the picture above show the approximate location of the bolts behind the panel.
d) Remove the upper panel. Be careful prying, as you can damage the dash! Just so you’re not surprised, this isn’t just the faceplate you’re removing – it’s the entire unit, which includes the climate control knobs/buttons, the head unit, and the CD storage box.
Blue arrows indicate approximate locations of securing clips. I did dent the console a little bit when I was prying on the bottom (bottom-left arrow).
e) The HON-AUX converter plugs into a connector on the rear of the head unit on the right side (just next to the main wiring harness). Based on the diagrams included with the converter, if you’ve got the factory cassette deck installed as well, I assume you daisy-chain and connect to the cassette deck instead.
f) Route the RCA jacks on the converter to a good location for you. I drilled a hole in the inside top of the little pocket in the bottom center panel and fed them through there. You might be able to just fish them around the side of the panel on the passenger side as an alternate routing. (Eventually, I ended up switching to this as well.)
The hole.
g) Reinstall the upper center panel, the bolts holding it in place, the cigarette lighter connector, and the lower center panel.
h) Reconnect the negative battery terminal, turn the car on. When you turn on the radio, it will request the security code, which you can enter using the radio station preset buttons.
3) Connecting the iPod
a) If you just plug the iPod into the input jacks directly, you’ll probably hear terrible static instead of your music. Apparently, the power source of the car and the iPod’s battery compete. So, the car charger isn’t only smart, it’s necessary. The Belkin adapter I’m using also provides line-out capability, so I plug into it instead of the iPod’s headphone jack.
b) To get your head unit to the new input, push the “CD / Tape” button until “CD-C” (CD-Changer) is displayed as the mode. Push again to cycle back to the in-dash CD player
c) I didn’t want to leave the iPod on my passenger seat to slide around, so I got a mount for it. The one I described above can be mounted into the tray below the parking brake handle. Putting it in the front left corner keeps it from interfering with the parking brake, and puts it right at your fingertips if your arm’s on the armrest.
Click for a larger view.
Update 2004-06-29 – I posted some followups to comments in another blog entry. Read that article too before posting a question. Thanks!
Update 2007-02-22 – I’ve redone how I have my iPod installed in the car, and gone to an even more integrated approach.
For Christmas, I got the harman/kardon drive+play system for the iPod. This is, in my mind, the best way to integrate an iPod into the stock head unit. The system consists of a “brain”, which is hidden from view, a small LCD display which can be mounted on the dash, console, etc., and a controller which mimics the iPod interface. On the LCD display, you’ve got full access to the “Music” section of your iPod’s menu – playlists, sorting by artist, genre, etc. The controller has the same 5 buttons you’ve got on the iPod’s Click Wheel, and it rotates to simulate the touch function of the wheel.
Here’s how I installed it:
1) Install the power connections – Remove the lower center console per the instructions above and disconnect the cigarette lighter connection. The wires going to the cigarette lighter should be yellow and black. Carefully cut and strip the yellow wire (+12 VDC) and connect it to the yellow AND red wires on the d+p’s wire harness. You should have three yellow wires (the two ends of the yellow wire going to the lighter and the d+p yelllow wire) and the red ACC wire. Twist together using pliers and join with a suitable wirenut. Wrap off the wirenut in electrical tape to secure. Cut the black wire, strip the ends, and twist them together with the black wire from the d+p’s harness.
2) Test power connection and choose location for “brain” – Just connect up the controller, display, and iPod cable, hook up your iPod, and start the car. On my car, the display comes on and turns off while the engine is starting. Push the Play button on the d+p controller to turn it on. The iPod display should give you the “Ok to disconnect” message. You should have control of the iPod through the d+p now. If you’ve connected your HON-AUX to the d+p “brain”, you ought to be hearing music now. Now, stash the brain somewhere. I stashed mine behind the center console on the driver’s side – there’s a nice amount of space there.
3) Select controller and display location and mount methods – I chose to mount my display to the left of the dashboard, above the vent and roughly even with the windshield pillar. I mounted the controller basically where I used to have the iPod – right where my hand would rest off the end of the armrest just in front of the gearshift. In both cases, you have the option of self-adhesive mounts or screw-on mounts. I opted for adhesive, as I might be getting a new car in the next couple years. Route the cables as you see fit. I routed the controller cable straight down the driver’s side of the console, then tucked it under the plastic all the way to the “brain”. For the display, I tucked it into the seam wher the windshield pillar and dash meet, down the inside of the door, above the hood release, under the floor mats just behind the pedals to the “brain”.
4) Select location for iPod – the natural place is the covered pocket in the center console under the armrest – it’s out of view to deter theft, but easy to access to grab your iPod. You can remove the black part of the console (up to the seam by the gearshift) by prying. Start from a back corner and work forward. The parking brake handle will need to be up to remove it. Drill a 1/2″ hole in the bottom rear of the pocket. Route the cable to the “brain” underneath the center console.
5) Replace all your covers and rock on.
Enjoy, and if you’ve got any questions/comments, please post below – if you want a response, be sure to include a valid e-mail address!
Also – in the comments below, I periodically insert my responses to your questions in italics. Just so you know…
I’ve got a 2001 Accord with a factory installed 6 disc changer. Anyone know if it is the same kind of install?
THANK YOU!!! I battled trying to install my Ipod into my car. I have a 2003 but everything was exactly yhe same. I was frustrated after trying several times to remove the radio. I did a Google search and found your helpful information. Many thanks for explaining everything! You made the job a sinch.
Thank You!
-Joe
hey ben. the hon-aux came with a ground wire. it said to bolt onto the chasis. did you have to do that? and if so where did you ground it too?
Just wanted to thank you. Found this page a month or so back. I finally got time to order the adapter and install this past weekend. I’ve very pleased. One of the many reasons the web is great! Thanks again.
Wanted to add my thanks as well — installed the HonAux98 from PIE in my 2001 Civic EX using the instructions on this site, but just removing the lower panel and then blindly fishing through the cables and wire bundles until I found the changer jack by feel. I installed a panel-mount mini-jack into the front of the lower panel, as well as a black rocker switch to open / close the ground connection depending on how I power the iPod. I purchased a SiK imp for power / line out. When running the iPod from battery, there is a _very_ faint beep (in synch with the second indicator on the radio’s clock) even with the ground connection closed, but otherwise the sound is fabulous — way better than my iTrip ever produced, and much better than the cassette adaptor in my wife’s Accord.
i\’m planning on doing the same with my 01 civic. i already ordered the p.i.e converter but was just wondering.. what does security code card/sticker look like? i bought my car used, and i can\’t find that card anywhere. i did however, get a small piece of paper-like card with a barcode and a code on it.. looked something like this..
*####*
is that the code? it\’s only 4 digits so i\’m a little worried about disconnecting the stereo.
Note from Ben: Nope, that\’s the code to get a replacement key made at a dealer. It should be a 5-digit code, only using the numbers 1-6 (since that\’s all the radio\’s got)
Oh, nevermind. Faith Moon said that this security code system is only on EX’s? I have a DX so I guess i’ll take his word for it >.
Yup, I recieved my HON98-AUX today and installed it, and 2001 DX’s don’t require a security code. Sounds awesome.
Thanks for the great tutorial!
Wow thanks for all the help. I had all the materials but had no idea how to take apart the dash. My last car was a 89 Audi and was much different to disassemble. I found that using guitar picks as a cushion against the screwdrivers while prying the head unit casing out worked great to avoid indentations. Thanks for the help!!
Thanks so much, Ben, for keeping this thread alive!
I just installed this stuff in my Civic 04 EX. I swear I had to re-read this thread a few times to make sure I was getting everything right. I only purchased the PIE HON98-AUX and the PIE female to male audio cords and grounded the wire to some metal object (since I won’t be charging my ipod at the same time). I can’t get over how incredible the sound sounds!!
Fed the wire down by the driver’s side floor, tucked it under the floor mat, and back up to the parking brake where I plan on keeping my ipod/MP3 CD player/cassette player!
I have to say that James L’s post (#163) was incredibly helpful in breaking it down to me simply (although for me #4 was the hardest & I ended up cracking one of the Dashboard Center Lower Cover sides
). Used a printout of the diagrams to guide me along the way, too. (shows you where the clips are, etc.)
As the rest of you daredevils, did it w/o disconnecting the battery and just “felt up” back there instead (it was surprisingly close to the opening!) As with others, that took a bit of maneuvering, but with total installation time at under 30 min (incredible work for someone who failed the physics electrics chapter!) you can do it too!!
Can’t wait to get back on the road! Thanks all!!
BTW, I made minimal use of a butter knife for the prying – a (strong) set of nails are a girl’s best friend!
It’s amazing how this website has lived on. I’m not even sure if Ben reads these anymore but thanks so much for allowing everyone to post here. I just installed a PIE adapter on my 2000 Honda Accord V6 and am kicking myself for fiddling around with an iTrip all these years. I don’t have a 6-CD changer so I simply used the open 14 pin port.
For anyone else with the same model Honda, the dash cover was really hard to pry off and just like others said, I thought I was going to crack it but it magically pops off before that happens. I spent hours reading these posts as well as a few other sites but from the time I unscrewed the first bolt to closing it up with the iPod playing was under 45 minutes. However, I didn’t do anything fancy with the mini plug. I don’t mind it sticking out under the center dash cover.
Total cost to me was $57 for the PIE and $5 for the Belkin RCA-to-mini adapter cable!
Wow, this is a really huge page. It would be absolutely wonderful if someone could sum all this up.
Basically, all someone with a 2001-2005 civic needs is the BLITZSAFE adapter and their set?
I installed the PIE adapter in my 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid a few months ago, right before a 4 week road trip.
The installation was, well, almost great. I guess I didn’t quite get how to get that bottom panel off (the one with the 12v outlet in it). I ended up breaking it a little. It still snaps back in, but not as securely as it used to. I also scratched up the surface next to the panel a little in my efforts. I count this as totally my fault. I know this can be done with no damage to the car. I was able to plug in the adapter by just removing that one panel and reaching up to feel for the plug. I am very small and it was still kinda hard. I followed the same instructions as for the regular civic, and there was no problem with starting the car back up after reconnecting the battery.
So, I had the adapter plugged into the back of the stereo, and then the rca cord going from the adapter to my ipod (via the headphone jack). I didn’t ground it or anything. I did used a power adapter to plug my ipod into the 12v outlet.
On my road trip I used this setup for over 8 hours at a time. We had it on constantly. It worked perfecty… until about the 3rd week. At this point the adapter started randomly failing. It was like it wasn’t connected at all. Sometimes it would come right back, sometimes it would take a few minutes, or hours. The time got longer and longer. After the trip, the adapter only very rarely works. If it does ever show up, it only works for a couple minutes. My ipod was completely unaffected by this problem. It was only the adapter that had difficulties.
It seems like the adapter may have shorted out from such intense use. I have not opened everything up to try to check the connection to the stereo. It seems to me if that was the problem it would not go on and off at such random intervals. Also, that connection seemed pretty solid when I plugged it in (though it was a tough angle).
Should I try to check the adapter/stereo connection? Should I just take it out and call it broken? Any suggestions?
Does anyone know how i can connect my kenwood music keg to my 2003 honda accord factory radio? I really like the head unit and i don’t want to have to replace it with another one.
Thanks
Hi, All this info is great, but I didnt see if anyone has had my problem. My problem is that I have a 2001 Honda Civic, with the factory radio, but its a single CD changer. I want to be able to use my ipod 30g, but I dont know if there is an adapter I can install that will allow me to use it from the radio, for example RCA input. Does anyone have any suggestions? I dont want to use the FM transmitters. I bought the Belkin, and lets just say its one step away from being tossed out the window. thanks…
isnt it easier to just buy a radio transmitter for you ipod. set the radio frequency and you done
From Ben: Sure, it’s easy. But, quite honestly, they sound like absolute crap compared to a hard-wired solution, plus if you’re road-tripping, you’ve got to change stations every so often. I’ve been preaching it all along, but in short, here’s how the quality stacks up (from lowest to highest): FM Transmitter, FM Modulator (direct to FM antenna input), Cassette adapter, AUX input. Additionally, the FM broadcast frequencies don’t carry nearly enough bandwidth to carry a full signal. FM radio is like a 96 kbps MP3 file. All my music is encoded as 192 kbps AAC files, and I’ve got the ears to tell the difference.
For single-car installation (especially if you have any other option), I CANNOT advocate an FM transmitter solution. That said, I do have an FM transmitter for when I’m on the road and in a rental car for work. But, tucked in my bag is also a cassette adapter and a 1/8-1/8 patch cable, in case the car has either of those available, because seriously, anything is better than an FM transmitter.
Amazing that this thread is still going strong… Thanks for the help… just ordered a blitzsafe for my ’03 Civic LX. I was able to feel the connector after removing the lower panel (which was a small challenge for me).
If anyone needs to find there security code, mine was on a sticker in the glove box. It was somewhat obvious since there were 5 numbers all between 1-6.
I have a 2002 honda civic and can’t get the stereo out any advice?
Hey Ben,
Your images have disappeared again. I might be buying a 2001 Honda Civic Coupe EX, and I need some way to hook up my iPod, and my cousin suggested this. If you could put those images back up there, I’d really appreciate it.
Seth
Seth, thanks – don’t know what happened there – the URLs got all fouled up. Images should be back now. I’m going to be updating this in the new year – I just got a new integration set (harman kardon’s drive+play system) that I’ll be installing.
Hey got a question for you, Where do I find the code for my stereo. I got a new battery put in and when I turned on my stereo it said CODE? Looked in my car manuel, didn’t find anything. Please I need some help
Hey Ben,great instruction – just what I was looking for – thanks. Great job on the website too.
Be Well,
Tom
Thanks SOOO much, one thing though when putting the wire through you can just remove the little space side the cigarette lighter.. just squeeze in the tabs and it pops out.
I have a 2001 LX…it has the factory head unit with cassette, as well as a single disc player beneath it. Has anyone been successful with this configuration? I fear that the disc player is already using my auxiliary port, but don’t want to tear apart the dash to find this out.
Does this particular setup work for a 2005?
Thanks so much for this description. Just bought a 2001 Civic EX yesterday, and was bummed that I couldn’t use my tape adapter anymore. This is of course the better option, and am excited to get the hardware and do this.
Best Solution… DENSION
Controls IPOD with Changer controls and charges… If vehicle has RDS/CD text, ID3 tags will be displayed on factory display.
The above looks like a spammy comment, but it’s marginally on-topic, so I’ve left it and just posted my reply.
I don’t really think that’s the best solution. I don’t want to have to reach over to the head unit to control jumping tracks, and on a Honda Civic (at least the ’01), I don’t have RDS/CD-Text capability on the stock head unit. My solution charges the iPod, puts the controls at my fingertips (literally, right off the end of my armrest), and can be accomplished for well under $100.
What I think is a far better solution for the “next level” of iPod integration for a car is something more like the harman/kardon drive+play system. You get an iPod styled controller you can mount anywhere, and an auxiliary display that you can mount on the dash, center console, ceiling, whereever’s convenient. Then, you can navigate the system from the display, which can be located in your normal line of sight, so you don’t need to take your eyes off the road *at all* to manage your iPod.
Coincidentally, I got one of these for Christmas, but my car spent January in a body shop thanks to a guy who rear-ended me, so I’m just waiting for a marginally warm day (I’ll settle for 40 degrees, even!) to do the install, and I’ll update this article with new and improved pics…
I just installed an AUX-BOX (Pacific Accessory Corporation) in my 2003 Honda Civic for my IPOD. The dashboard disassembly/AUXBOX hookup went fairly quickly (I’ve completed a similar hookup in a Toyota Prius), but I am having a bit of trouble at the end. When I turn on my IPOD, I only get sound for 1-2 seconds before it cuts out. I turned the car (and the IPOD) on/off several times to no avail. Any suggestions?
Rob
I used your guide last year to install my head unit and my ipod connector and it was very helpful, I did exactly what you did until I purchased a Pioneer ipod converter which charges and plays my ipod through the head unit. But I have another question, you wouldn’t happen to know how to remove the door panels to install 6 1/2″ speaker would you? If you do that would be great. I am very nervous about removing the door panels on my car. Thanks
Just installed the aux adapter in my wife’s ’01 Civic. This site and the photos were extremely helpful. Thanks for providing it!! One tip: I was able to do it without removing the upper panel (step d). Using a mirror and a flashlight, I was able to locate the socket on the back of the radio. It wasn’t too difficult to plug in the adapter just reaching up in there.
I just bought a 2007 Civic EX. It already has the Aux input but I don’t have an IPod I have an IRiver and when I hooked it up to the Aux input, the IRiver wouldn’t play thru the car’s speakers. Is the Aux input only compatible with an IPod?
THanks
I have a 2004 Honda Civic LX… I want to hookup up some mp3 players. I have a Napster mp3 player and I have a Pocket PC. What do I need to hook either one of these up. I was reading about a grounding problem and I noticed if you use the blitzsafe with and IPOD because it charges it it doesn’t make that noise… but I don’t have an IPOD. Any sugestions?
An update to my cassette + single disc quandry:
In the end I decided to install a Pioneer head unit that has an auxiliary port on the front. I’ll probably drive this vehicle into the ground, so I figured it wouldn’t hurt to get a digital IPOD connection and make CD’s sound better at the same time.
Anyway, I did notice what looked to be 1 or 2 additional ports on the back of the cassette receiver when I was uninstalling the factory unit. I have no idea if they would work or not, but it may be worth testing if anyone else has the same setup and is considering the HON-AUX solution.
Ben, thanks for the instructions and photos; they were very helpful.
Hey- just wanted to add some input in case anyone might find it useful. I picked up a Mio c310x navigation unit (highly hackable and awesome toy). I wanted to use this as an mp3 player in my 2004 civic lx (MT) because I have never had an mp3 player before. I purchased the hon98-aux on enfig.com and added in a y-splitter to bump me just past $50 for free shipping. This shipped in just a day! I asked a friend if he’d like to help over the weekend and instead he just went into my car and ripped some stuff out and hooked it up in only about a half hour. We grounded the cable and it worked! However, there were a couple drawbacks. The first is that the sound will not be nearly as loud as a cd or radio. I was able to compensate for this by adjusting equalizer controls on the mp3 player and it sounded a lot better. I will only occasionally max out the volume now (on the highway, windows open). The other drawback was the ground loop. When the unit was not plugged in/or not playing a file, there is a very small beep that can be heard. this is not a big deal because it completely disappears when it recognizes an mp3/video. The real problem was plugging in the car charger at the same time. This would create an incredibly loud humming or buzzing or beeping or feedback or whatever you want to call it. I read that this might be due to the grounding on the hon98-aux. Apparently grounding + unit not plugged to charger = ok AND not grounding + unit plugged to charger = ok. This may be fixed with a switch for the ground. I also read that problems like this can be fixed with a ground loop isolator. I picked one up at radio shack for about $18. It is basically a 2 rca to 2 rca wire: the 2 male rca ends linked to the isolator linked to another 2 male rca. It doesn’t make sense to me to have 2 male rca on each side, but it also comes with a y-splitter(2 female rca to 1 3.5 male). I hooked this up instead of my other wire and it completely solved the problem. I can now charge or not charge. All in all, this project was only about $70 and is well worth it. I now have up to 4 gb (depending on my sd card) of music, videos, and gps navigation through my car speakers. If anyone wants pics I suppose I could post some in the future. Hope this helps.
@ Jamie -> some pics of your install would be great
thanks
thanks, usefull
You guys rock! I thought connecting my satellite radio to my honda was never going to happen… until google stubled upon this gem of a page!
My equipment: 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid, Sirius Stiletto 100, Blitzsafe HON/AUX DMX V.1 adapter from enfig stereo ($60)
Got the panel popped out (where the cigarette lighter is – like in Ben’s picture), and my wife was able to get her hand up inside the console and plug the blitzsafe adapter into the radio… literally took about 15 minutes… (the most time fishing for the picture that you can only ‘picture’ what it looks and feels like.
I was glad when I found this, because, although I absolutely love my Stiletto, the FM transmitter that comes with the car dock sucks. This site and cable was the ticket and it sounds awesome!
Thanks Ben and everyone else here!
– Mike in Delaware
You guys rock! I thought connecting my satellite radio to my honda was never going to happen… until google stubled upon this gem of a page!
My equipment: 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid, Sirius Stiletto 100, Blitzsafe HON/AUX DMX V.1 adapter from enfig stereo ($60)
Got the panel popped out (where the cigarette lighter is – like in Ben’s picture), and my wife was able to get her hand up inside the console and plug the blitzsafe adapter into the radio… literally took about 15 minutes… (the most time was spent fishing for the plug that you can only ‘picture’ what it looks and feels like.
I was glad when I found this, because, although I absolutely love my Stiletto, the FM transmitter that comes with the car dock sucks. This site and cable was the ticket and it sounds awesome!
Thanks Ben and everyone else here!
– Mike in Delaware
Possibly stupid question: Does installing the HON98-AUX or the Harman-Kardon unit disable the CD player? Or do you just push the CD button twice to get it working? Great walkthrough. Thanks!
Thanks for the guide! I have a question: I’m doing this on my Civic 04 EX, and although slightly different, I am at the part where I have access to the two 8mm bolts under the radio assembly. I have tried on both of these for at least an hour… niether bolt will budge at all. They seem to be torqued down from the factory. Any helpful advice you can give me? Keep in mind I don’t have access to an impact wrench.
Thanks Ben! You rock.
Check your radio before you install… my 2001 Civic EX had a 14-pin connector so I had to buy HON98-AUX.
Also bought the Scosche DCAXU, which is an RCA to 1/8-inch adaptor, and mounted it directly in the center console (to the right of the rear defrost). It looks great and sounds fantastic too!
I bought the SCOSCHE FMMOD01 Universal FM Modulator, I was wondering where, in my honda civic EX (just like the one in the pictures above) I can find the male and female antenna connectors and the 12V conector that’s required to install this puppy in my car. Thanks!!
I’m having the same problem as Alex. Am able to remove the lower panel, but the center panel is very difficult. I am not able to locate the bolt though.
Anyone have any info/diagrams that would help me locate this? I was able to find all the clips and loosen them all, but the panel will still not come loose.
Any help much appreciated!
I installed the Grom audio iPod adapter in my 2003 Honda Civic EX with manual transmission this morning. I hope these notes may help someone else.
The Grom is the least expensive adapter that I found which can control basic functions from the car stereo. With shipping, it was about $75. You’ll find them at eBay. Like several of these units, the iPod cable that came with it plugs into the Grom adapter box, so it can be updated in the future if need be. The sound is great. Clear, no hums, no need for separate grounding. This unit charges the iPod, too. One wire that does it all. Easy and clean install.
The removal of the center console lower panel to get in back of the radio has some quirks in the manual transmission model that were different than the diagrams. Mainly, DO NOT remove the silver trim ring around the stick shift. There is a screw that comes up from below into this trim ring, and trying to pry off this ring results in breaking it. (Yep, you can guess how I know.) The good news is that there is no reason to remove the ring: when the black plastic piece to which it is mounted is pried up, the ring can just stay mounted right to that.
Next, remove the colored plastic piece that has two arms coming back toward the emergency brake. This is the piece into which the lower console cover with the power socket is attached, which is the one that you really need to remove to get at the stereo from behind. On this model, the lower console cover is screwed in to the colored/armed piece from behind. Once you get the colored/armed piece free, the lower console cover will just lift off with it. On the other hand, if you just try to pry it off, it will break.
Once the deconstruction is done, it is just a matter of reaching behind and plugging in. It seems impossible, until it just goes in! It was helpful to me to have folks point out that the socket is on the right rear of the radio, with “right” meaning on the side closest to the glovebox.
Thanks for keeping this thread up!
-Sherri
None of the previous tags addressed the newer hondas. I have a 2006 Honda Civic that has the aux button on the radio face plate but does not have the single female aux jack for MP3/1st generation IPODs. Is there a Honda harness available for a quick and simple solution.
I have a 2001 Honda Civic Ex. I bought the Hon98-Aux from logjamelectronics.com No problems with that transaction. Then I did purchase the instructions from carstereohelp.com for $4.99. I did this thinking there would be helpful advice on how to pop the clips without denting or breaking anything. Don’t waste your money as I did. The pics on this site are about the same as the pics you’ll spend $4.99 to get from that site. Bottom line…they had nothing else to offer besides similar pics that Ben has. On the 2001 Civic, the portion of the dash with the cigarette lighter is easy to remove. I did it with a small screw driver with no marks. Then I tried to remove the upper part containing the stereo. This was not quite as easy. So here is where I would differ in the install instructions. Rather than spend 20 minutes or so figuring out how to get the upper (stereo part) clips to release without damaging anything I spent that same amount of time figuring out how to plug the Hon98 Aux in without removing that section. This can be done by most people as I have rather large hands. I felt up to the back of the stereo to see where the input needed to go. (The side with the push release goes up.) Then I felt my way through it, and kept at it until I was able to plug the input into the stereo. It was a pain in a.. at times because it felt like my hand was too big to get the right angle. I got it after about 15 minutes and it seemed easier than removing the whole thing. Not only that, but I didn’t disconnect the power and have to worry about getting the security code for the stereo to work again.
To conclude… it can be done by only removing the lower portion where the power supply is located. It just takes some feeling around and a red bull and vodka.
I have a 2004 Civic Hybrid and an iPhone that I’d like to connect inline. I use a Monster iCarplay charger/FM transmitter now which works OK(typical FM audio quality) but of course if you leave the iPhone in non-airplane mode(GSM Edge and WiFi enabled) you get the buzzing and beeping through the dock connector. I know this doesn’t come through the headphone connector of the iPhone since I can wear the earbuds and listen to music buzz free while the iPhone checks email. What are folks opinions of using a PIE Hon-Aux and then running the audio out of the headphone connector of the iphone and let the Monster just charge the iPhone?
Timbrewer
Any chance of posting the HON98-AUX converter wiring harness/pin connection? (Based on the diagrams included with the converter). I would like to install a MP3 player that’s not an iPod on a 2005 Civic.