Bought my 2003 3.2 TL S-Type used in 2007 with 95,000 miles on it and I paid $13,500 through a car broker. Under the recall/warranty, the tranny was replaced at 100,000 and I did the timing belt at 105,000. It currently has 181,000 miles.

The prior owner drove it long miles and kept it in phenomenal condition. When I got it I couldn't believe how clean it was.

Since I bought it:

1. A disc got stuck in the 6-CD changer. Installed a $375 12-CD changer in the trunk instead of the $500 Acura reconditioning of the unit.

2. An electronic component that controls power to the headlights was replaced for about $800.

3. The tranny went two weeks ago and after studying all the options, had it rebuilt by a tranny specialist for $3,700 (I'm getting sick typing this).

Other than those items, it runs great and I've loved driving it.

Now the DVD system is failing. Options:

1. Do nothing and use an iPhone or Garmin.

2. Send it to Alpine for $358 to recondition it. I hate the DVD system and paying (on sale) $99 every year for a new DVD. It's a waste of money.

3. Replace it with a VERY decent Alpine system that would fit where the stereo is and includes DVD, blue tooth and iPod connection would be $1,500 from a very reputable installer where I live. Uninstall the 12 CD changer.

4. Keep looking for a lower-priced alternative to #3

Has anyone faced a similar decision? What did you do?

 

Stop going to the stealership!

You can get a nice Pioneer head unit (bluetooth, DVD, navi, Pandora, etc.) for around 600-800. Even less if you don't get navi. Shit, I'll even install it for you so you don't get ripped off again!

Here is my setup:

 

^ that looks good did you have navi before.

My navi screen started separating, I'm just going to get another one used to replace it. What exactly do you mean it's dying? I usually just use my iPhone in big cities because the roads change so fast the only way I can keep up is use my iPhone.

 

03tLsNBP, that is a BEAUTIFUL set-up. Reminds me of some of the cockpits I've flown in. Damn that is sweet bro!!!

 

03tLsNBP -- that is a sweet situation you have in there, bro!

Stephen00TL -- I'm getting the dreaded "Disc Read Error -- See your dealer" type message. I've read one thread on here that explains how to take the unit apart and clean the lens, but it seems like it only worked for one or two people, and the rest it didn't do anything. I popped a DVD cleaning disc in there but I'm not sure it did a thing.

 

I agree with recommendation of installing an aftermarket double-din DVD/Navi unit instead of replacing any of the rediculously outdated components in the factory navigation system. That's what I did instead of converting my non-navi to navi and LOVE IT! Depending on the model, you have TONS of options and features and is much better looking in operation as well as much easier on the wallet.

Don't opt for a cheap install though. Pay the money to have it professionally installed and you will not be disappointed in your decision.

 

Doing the Alpine reconditioning is definitely off the table after reading these few posts.

Also, the installer I trust the MOST had only one option -- an Alpine all-in-one dealio. The dude who installed the 12-CD changer came highly recommended but was a complete mental case and although I can't say for sure, there was a tear in the back seat (which they had to remove) AFTER the install that wasn't there before. I don't do this stuff myself because I'm not good at it and I know it --

 

Thanks! Nope no navi before. I just bought a navi dash bezel and mounted my Magellan unit there.

Thanks

Thanks! If you have any questions about it, let me know.

 

What model magellan? That thing looks awesome. Finally found my solution. Thanks.

 

I believe it was this one. I think i got it on sale for around 130. It's leagues better than any OEM or aftermarket double din navi that I have used.

 

So the navi heating and a/c head was plug and play? or did you had to do any splicing to make it work? Great looking set up!

 

BTW, I got one of those canned air "dusters" you use on computer equipment, took out the old DVD, air blasted the inside and put the new disc back in (the trouble started soon after I put the new 2012 DVD in) ... so far, three start-ups and it's come on each time.

I might hang in there if it keeps working ... hmmm.

 

Thanks, yeah it was all plug and play.

haha like the old Nintendo trick

 

I have a 99 with navi that I recently purchased a few months ago that is missing the hard drive, and it comes on and off when it feels like it.(no radio either) I want to replace it with a Pioneer or Alpine dvd/navi system. How did you get around the touch screen a/c issue. Do you just control it from the buttons, and is it way expensive to get installed because of the a/c controls? Is it easier to just put the new in dash where the radio goes, and leave the stock navi where it is?

 

I just control it from the buttons. My life is easier that way. I just set it to the temperature I want, and the car does the rest for me. No need to adjust fan speed, cycle AC on and off, etc.

I have no idea how a shop would charge to install that. Probably too much. It's all relatively easy. If you want to replace your navi my method is cheaper than buying an aftermarket in dash navi.

My setup:
DVD head unit - 300
Navi bezel - 35
AC controls - 30
Magellan navi - 130

total - 495

I don't know if you can get a decent navi head unit for less than 500.

 

Oh ok. Do those buttons cool the rear vents though? I don't have a/c right now so never thought about it but I know when the navi does work, it has the rear functions on the screen. Never checked the vents with it off. I have a Tom Tom XXL 550 that I switch between this car and the civic. I don't have a radio in the tl though so figured I would get a Pioneer that had both radio/cd that could read my data cd's, and navi. I know there was a shop here a few months ago advertising the Pioneer installed for $300. I don't rememeber if it had navi though. I doubt it will be that price for this car though. Your setup is pretty sick though. My cost should be less if I do it that way since I already have a 99.

"Your setup:
DVD head unit - 300 What kind do you have and do you like it. I am used to Pioneer. I buy Alpine speakers and subs.

Navi bezel - 35 I already have this since I have oem navi. The oem navi is huge in with. How do you hold the Magellan up without falling backwards?

AC controls - 30 I already have this

Magellan navi - 130 Did you wire this to the car or you just hid the a/c plug.

total - 495" This price is with you installing everything yourself right?

 

I have a Pioneer avh-3400BH. I like it a lot. Touchscreen is very responsive and I love the bluetooth audio. If you have an iPhone it works even better (Android not so much). The Magellan unit is a tiny bit bigger than the navi opening so it sits on top of the opening. I did this so that I still had access to buttons on the top and side of the unit. I used the original power cord and plugged it into the cig lighter, and just hit the cord. You could also hard wire it. To keep the navi in place, I used velcro on a piece of wood thats mounted behind the navi. It's hard to describe but I don't have a picture right now.

$495 was my total with me installing everything myself. The air comes out of all ducts, including the rear.

 

That looks like a pretty nice install 03tLsNBP. My navi sometimes turns on and sometimes doesnt. This looks like a pretty nice way to do a upgrade instead of a OEM setup.

 

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-photograph-gallery-99/new-parts-878435/

Just replaced my screen, but I do love the way 03tlsnbp's looks.

 

you can do the tablet mod..im goin to do it ..picked up a navi bezel for 15 at a junkuard with hazard and fog light switch

 

Could you post a pic of the back of your Magellan? Looks great

 

This looks cool and awesome. How about a DIY on this?
I guess that would be awesome as well.

 

It's really not pretty I never got time to really finish off the navi mount so it's just a piece of wood mounted to the navi bezel with velcro to hold the navi in place. Obviously if I really wanted to show off the setup in its entirety I would make a nice carbon fiber panel to cover the navi hole when the navi is not in the car, as well as hold the navi in place.


Sure, it's actually not too complicated. You only need three OEM parts. The navi bezel, the hazard button, and the navi climate controls. Everything is plug and play. Then you can mount the navi/tablet however you want. I plugged the navi into my cig lighter. This leaves the wire slightly exposed.

My plan was to install a cig lighter inside the dash somewhere so you wouldn't see the plug, while also not damaging the navi's power cable by splicing into another power source. That way the whole thing could be removed and used in another car. But now I'm not doing anything to the TL anymore. I'm focusing on my new project car