Installing a headunit on my 1997 Honda Accord EX

[na_rsx 10+ year member]

i did a huge search on numerous forums, but nothing. Where can i get a good DIY that i can print out when i take on this project. I am pretty good with wiring up amps, subs, shit like that, but when it comes to a headunit, i am new, but willing to do it on my own. Shops tend to do a shitty job, and not even right either, already had my bad expierence with one.

so help me out, once i do this, i will do a install thread, i already got a pioneer 680MP, kicker kx700.5, 12" beyond audio sub, scosche dash kit, wire harness, and install kit. getting 3 sets of rca's, and looking for a good 4 gauge amp kit. only thing i need help on is the head unit.

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[spoonraker 10+ year member]

Just buy a harness for your vehicle, and read the manual that came with your head unit to know which wires to connect.

Or if you're too cheap to buy a harness for your car and want to do it manually go to http://www.installdr.com for a complete pinout of your factory radio harness.

Exactly what kind of help do you need? Are you just confused on the wiring, or do you need to know how to take your dash apart, what?

 

[na_rsx 10+ year member]

Just buy a harness for your vehicle, and read the manual that came with your head unit to know which wires to connect.
Or if you're too cheap to buy a harness for your car and want to do it manually go to http://www.installdr.com for a complete pinout of your factory radio harness.

Exactly what kind of help do you need? Are you just confused on the wiring, or do you need to know how to take your dash apart, what?

I got everything i need for the headunit install, just want a good DIY on how to take the old one our, and install the new one. i got a good idea on how to wire up the harness, i have a soldering kit at work, going to do that. Basically just need help on how to take the old head unit out, and put the new headunit in.

 

[spoonraker 10+ year member]

90% of cars are setup like the following :

Outer plastic bezel. Held on by pressure clips. Remove simply by pulling. If you don't have anything better than a flathead screwdriver to pry it up with, at least wrap it in cloth first so you don't damage your dash.

Underneath that is another plastic piece, this one will be screwed into the dashboard. Usually 2-4 screws, nothing fancy. This is what your factory cage and head unit will be directly attached to. Or your head unit its self might simply be screwed to the dash at this point.

After that comes out the only thing keeping your head unit on will be the wires connecting it. There will usually be one big clip with a bunch of wires and then the antenna, just pull them out.

90% of aftermarket head units install in the following fashion :

You take your vehicle stereo harness (the one you bought) and connect it to your stereo wiring harness. Crimp, solder, whatever method you prefer. Follow the directions, it's really easy.

Your dash kit should come with a new inner plastic piece or some sort of a way of mounting your after market cage in the factory spot. This part is usually just a direct bolt on, or if it's a universal kit sometimes you have to cut off some of the clips on it, again just read the directions, it's never difficult.

Attach the combined factory harness adapter and after market stereo harness to the factory harness. You might also need to install an antenna plug converter to get your factory antenna to fit into your new unit, usually not.

Install the cage. Push it in place, it should just lock when you push. Maybe some bending of clips is necessary, depends on the unit.

Pull all the wires through, connect them to your HU, and slide it into the cage.

Reinstall the outer plastic bezel.

Sometimes there is another small plastic bezel that goes around the HU's face. Install this if needed/wanted.

done...

 

[5.0coug 10+ year member]

i have a 97 acura cl which is basically the same install. the whole plastic surround pops out (i used a butter knife) then the stereo comes out with i believe was 2 screws, all you do is look up your application in the dash kit and it tells you how to mount it. This was the easiest car i ever put a headunit in. By the way the wiring colors match on the wire harness' so you cant mess it. BTW you got plenty of space to work with when doing the install. Hope that helps

 

[starkfu 10+ year member]

94-97 accord.....

remove the center console - open lid to center console, remove the block plate at the bottom of the inside of center console and remove two screws. Remove cup holder and remove three exposed screws (i think it's three, might be one or two, been a while). Pull center console towards the back of the car and lift out of way.

Now on the black plastic bezel (large plastic piece around shifter and radio), two philips screws are revealed (previously covered by center console piece), remove them, lastly, remove the ash tray and the screw behind it.

Now the rest are clips, remove the black bezel and then there are two 8mm screws on a metal bracket under the radio, remove them and then pull out the HU.

whatever you do, do not just pull on the black bezel, you will break it.

I own this car, let me know if you need any other help.

 

[na_rsx 10+ year member]

i have a 97 acura cl which is basically the same install. the whole plastic surround pops out (i used a butter knife) then the stereo comes out with i believe was 2 screws, all you do is look up your application in the dash kit and it tells you how to mount it. This was the easiest car i ever put a headunit in. By the way the wiring colors match on the wire harness' so you cant mess it. BTW you got plenty of space to work with when doing the install. Hope that helps

sweet, thanks for the help guys, now i feel really confident on doing this myself. i cant wait. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[spoonraker 10+ year member]

Looks like the Accord is similar to my car in terms of removing the bezel.

On mine I have to remove my center console piece before the dash bezel comes out because the dash bezel has holes in it that the center console clips go through. Couldn't tell you why...it's kind of annoying.

 

[starkfu 10+ year member]

I must reiterate my last post....

94-97 accord.....
remove the center console - open lid to center console, remove the block plate at the bottom of the inside of center console and remove two screws. Remove cup holder and remove three exposed screws (i think it's three, might be one or two, been a while). Pull center console towards the back of the car and lift out of way.

Now on the black plastic bezel (large plastic piece around shifter and radio), two philips screws are revealed (previously covered by center console piece), remove them, lastly, remove the ash tray and the screw behind it.

Now the rest are clips, remove the black bezel and then there are two 8mm screws on a metal bracket under the radio, remove them and then pull out the HU.

whatever you do, do not just pull on the black bezel, you will break it.

I own this car, let me know if you need any other help.

 

[na_rsx 10+ year member]

okay, so basically the center console has to come off, and then when thats done, everything else should be a breeze.

 

[frzninvt 10+ year member]

I can help too! My '94 EX is the same, starkfu has it pretty much down. There are also screws on either side of the outside of the rear part of console that may require an angled phillips driver since the seats can block access to them.

I put my center channel in the cup holder spot with an L-Pad mounted inside the console with a control knob on the outside.

 

[na_rsx 10+ year member]

well i just downloaded and printed out the diy guide for the install from install doctor, this looks easy, i cant wait to get my scosche 4 gauge amp kit, and twisted rcas. not bad for 62 shipped.