Hey all, the factory headunit in my car is slowly dying. I am experiencing the dreaded volume knob glitch (where it jumps the volume all over the place when you turn it up or down), AND it's now jammed my CD's in it, and throwing an error code ERR1. So I can't eject the discs OR play them. So I've been on ebay looking for a replacement unit, and I was about to place an order on a headunit that LOOKS identical to mine, and the ebay seller claims it came out of an Acura CL (YA2), but when I was reading A/V forums, etc. I was warned that there were more than one variant made of this head unit. The ability to identify which head unit I have is apparently demarked on the cassette tape door (flap). Mine is marked "3PK1" in the top right hand corner (photo for reference - right above the BOSE logo). The one on Ebay I wanted to order, LOOKS like mine, but the Ebay unit says 3PK0 on the tape flap, NOT 3PK1 which is what is currently in my car. I have scoured the internet looking for what the difference is with no answers, so I'm turning to the AcuraZine forums in hopes someone here can shed some light on this. A sincere thank you for your efforts. -Jonathan

-Ebay link OEM 2001 Acura CL 3.2L AM FM 6CD Cassette Radio Receiver | eBay

There is text right above the BOSE logo on my tape-flap that says 3PK1... a replacement unit on Ebay claims 3PK0, and I'm worried I'll get it here and for some reason won't be compatible. ZOOM IN on the image to see what I mean.

 

^

Interesting; however, how could this be from a 2001 CL, as advertised below...


when it was manufactured in April 2005??

P.S.,
The Moderators will eventually move this thread to the 2G CL forum.

BTW, my 2003 automatic CL-S w/navi has a 3PK1 cassette door marking and my 2003 CL-S non-navi has a 3PK1 cassette door marking.

 

Are you the original owner?

 

That is totally bizarre... an HU meant for an 03' CL and yet it has a MFG date of April 2005... ...

 

No I am the third owner however I did some exhaustive research on the vehicle from the previous owners prior to purchase and have a good service history for the car.

 

Perhaps the original owner had problems with the original head unit and it was replaced shortly after the replacement unit was manufactured?

 

that’s the logical explanation

 

That manufacture date of 'April 2005' intrigued me; therefore; I messaged the ebay vendor, a couple days ago, and sent the below:

Their response was:


Then I sent the below reply with a wiki link showing production dates for the 2G CL; however, I had clearly worn out my welcome and they did not answer, lol.


So, as whitetiger5 & the ebay vendor response suggests it appears that the unit pictured on ebay was most likely an 'inventory' item made & replaced (under warranty?) after CL model production ended in 2003.
With that said, the Acura part number is:

What is strange is that the picture above shows 39101-S3M-A130-M1.
That number ties to the website below as fitting the 01-03 CL:
(Ac115U) 3PK0 01 02 03 Acura CL Bose Radio 6 CD Changer Tape Player


Just like the ebay vendor ad the 'Faceplate ID: 3PK0'.
Furthermore, the website below stipulates there are 'application features' differences with the audio units in relation to what specific Faceplate ID: number is present.
TL CL 1999-2003 CD6 cassette BOSE radio NEW


Finally, OP has a non-navi 2003 CL-S 6MT, the audio unit has a Faceplate ID: 3PK1, the webpage above states that you have to match the part number / faceplate ID to get the 'application features' associated with your original defective factory audio unit; however, it does not really mention what any of these 'alleged' feature differences are, though they all will mount into the dash and plug into the factory audio harness plugs.

non-navi 2003 CL-S six speed = 39101-S3M-A130-M1 / Faceplate ID: 3PK1

 

I asked chatgpt:

• Face codes can indicate variations in hardware, such as minor adjustments in tuner frequencies, specific button layouts, or even software/firmware differences suited to different model years or trims.
• Face codes also help when replacing or repairing units, as matching the face code ensures compatibility with the vehicle's existing wiring harness, mounting setup, and other systems like the anti-theft security feature.

The response reminds me of all the different transmission codes, and figuring out which one was the best (BAYA).