hey guys, just bought an '01 TL a few nights ago. Still getting use to it. One problem that bothers me the most is the CD player. It wont play my burnt CDs, i've tried different brands, different CD burners to make CDs and everything, and it either spits the CD back out, or takes forever to start playing, and then I cant change songs. Anyone else have this problem?

Also, if this is a common problem, I would more than likely replace the unit, I know that I need a harness, because I have a universal size deck already. But what else would I need to keep the buttons on the steering wheel operational? I also heard the Bose subwoofer will not work if i change it out.

Last thing, if anyone here knows anything about subwoofers, I have 2 12' Alpine Type E's in 2 different boxes. Both boxes wont fit into my trunk. Would it be easier to build new boxes, or build one big box for that matter, or could i get away with cutting the boxes i have now and reducing the size?

Yea, I promise this is the last thing. I've read something about AUTO TILT on the mirrors...what is this and how do i use it?

 

I have only had my TL for a little over a week, but the first burned CD I tried wouldn't play and was ejected with each attempt.

 

get rid of the BLOZ HU and put in an aftermarket HU.

You will loose the factory sub with out a lil custom wiring, or a small aftermarket amp but you can retain it, and it does sound better with aftermarket (mine does)
a 99-01 accord wiring harness will work
Metra Kit part # 99-7868

Wet sand teh dash kit with 220, then 400-600 wet till smooth and it will match the dash very closly

 

Just add a CD-changer in the trunk -OR- glovebox/center console. There are alpine changers that are compatible, and others.

I picked up the 'NeoChanger' 10-disc CD changer (my head unit only uses 6 discs, which is fine). Installed it myself in 20-30 minutes once I figured out how to do it. Plays CDs, CD-R, CD-RW, MP3-CDs (of all three types), sits in the trunk, and works fairly well. Generally go pretty cheap on e-bay, and you can generally flip them afterwards for what you pay for them. Works on tens of car types too, including the TL/Accord stereo, and tons of german, american, and jap. cars. You can probably get one for $100-$200CDN or maybe $75-$150USD.

It's my workaround after fighting with different CD types. Plus loading up 99 MP3s on a CD-RW (x 6 CDs) is a dream, and let me ask you- are there more than 600 tracks at a time that you want in your car?

Downside: no track name display or folders- only track numbers based on alphabetic or numeric sorting.

It's a good solution if you don't want a new head-unit- keep the stock look, do no wiring, keep the stock speakers, keep your steering wheel controls... When you sell the car, offer it for $100 bucks extra and because of MP3s being so popular most will take it, otherwise flip it on e-bay or these boards.

-M

 

I have had the same problem on Cd's but I found that Maxell CD-R music pro work without any problems in my TL. They come in a 10 pk with a pinkish purple wraping so maybe try those if you are not going to replace the HU right away.

 

i just go to costco and buy their 100 pack tdk cdr's for about $25 and it has worked fine in my 99

 

I've had mixed results with all CD types. It depends on ALL OF your CDs, your burner, burn speed, age of the CDs, etc. I've had CDs that work like a charm and then stop working after 20 days or so. I've had the reverse where a fresh CD doesn't work. I've had some where it works on lot tracks and not others, doesn't work on certain tracks but does on all others. I've had times when I buy a 100 pack and they work like a charm and then get another 100 pack and they don't despite CD-Identifier showing almost all the same specs. Disk at once, track and once, multisession, etc. I had two 99 TLs for the family (one silver, one black- now only one 99- my daily driver) where CDs would play on one car and not the other. Sometimes it'll track up when the car is cold (inside), sometimes CDs will work only if it's warm (inside the car) or if the CD is cold or warm.

A search on this board shows tens of threads about 99 HUs and other HU's not reading coasters- Clearly this isn't a clearcut answer as everyone has mixed experiences with each media brand/type/method. Do a search on the board if you want to start the 'which CD is better for you' talk.

Lets face it- it was an oversight in '99 to test the HU with burnt CDs. I've realized that all the 'this works for me talk' when it comes to CD-Rs on the TLs is so specific to the burner/batch of CDs/conditions/method/and luck, that it's just not worth it... otherwise there would be conclusion in all of the other threads as to what works. The fact is there's not.

So as I said originally- Your options are:
- fiddle. Buy lots of CDs (see recommendations of some for ideas), try different burn methods [I had most luck with disk at once with HUGE leadins to the tracks (the blank areas between tracks that cause silence/pauses) like 4-8 seconds long that seems to make it easier for the HU to find the track spacing], and make lots of coasters until you find something that works in your situation with your model of burner and car. (cost varies depending on trials- lots of time too)

- get a CD changer or MP3 unit and call that a day. That's the method I took as I didn't want to start with wiring, thought the Bose system was good enough for what I do (lets not start that debate here), didn't want to deal with the strange sub-amp attached to the rear deck of the car (the area at the top of the trunk) that is nutorious for problems, and was quite happy with the HU and the EQ behind it otherwise. Plus I like the stock look and steering wheel controls. ($100-$200CDN- install can be done yourself and I can write you instructions how to take what in your dash apart if you'd like)

- get a new HU. Risk your streering wheel controls depending on what you can do, need to get a mount (as you see in the picture in this thread), a HU, potentially new speakers for best results and do the wiring. Price can range from dirt cheap used parts to $250 all the way up to high hundreds (or more if you want to do more speakers, mounts, etc) depending on what you want.

If you're content with the deck and just want more tunes on the go, I recommend #2 (time is worth money). If you think the system isn't loud/clear/feature-ful/pretty enough, go with #3 without question. If you have LOTS of time to kill, go nuts with option # 1. I failed at option # 1.

Well in followup, option # 1 worked much of the time... but nothing was worse than burning a CD as I go out the door and having none of those favourite songs when I get into my car. It's frustrating. Maybe 50% of the time it'd like me. Older burners like it the most (old 2x burners, etc). If you can avoid it entirely, you'll leave with much more sanity.

-M

 

Another option is to install an iPod and forget about burning CDs completely.

 

I believe '02 was the first year Acura offered auto-tilt on the passenger side mirror. When you shift into reverse the mirror tilts down automatically so you can see the curb, etc.. when parking.

 

I also have the 99 Tl. The best luck I have had with CD-Rs... is when I burn them at 4x and I close the disc (all at once). These discs have about an 80% chance of working - for a while.

I then bought an iPOD - which holds 20gigs of music and is incredible. The only thing I hate is that I have no direct connection (therefore, limited to RF or Tape) neigher are that great - but good enough. I have been to cheap to go RF so I use the tape adapter. Which by the way is a good way to use a laptop and play movies through the car. I am looking for an inexpensive way to get the video into the NAV unit. (which went out last week - and I have to replace the HD with a Compact Flash disc and figure out how to get the software again)....

Anyhow - good luck!

 

i have one if anyone wants......

this is wut it looked like in the car...

 

shoulda wet sanded it. it woulda looked more OEM like

 

DUDE what are you talking about?? BOSE is GREAT!!!!



































For Target Practice

 

its not in the car anymore

 

I was saying before you ever installed it!

 

So is Alpine the only external 6 disc changer that will work with the stock bose HU, and still operate with the steering wheel controls? Or can I just get any 6 disc changer, I.e. Pioneer, Sony etc..

 

Nice job. Were did you buy the metra kit part?

 

Circut City. Metra Kit 99-7868

 

You can also get the wood trim kit from streeteffectz which IMO is the best looking

 

Sorry if I'm bringing back a dead thread but I've recently bought a 99' TL non Type-S with navigation and I've already looked around the forums and read about the OEM HU not playing burnt cd. The question is, is it possible to put in a 02+ 6disc cd changer in my car and if so, how much would it cost and where would I be able to get one. I know the dealership but any other choice due to the price?

 

It will work. Try ebay or look the black market area on the forum.

 

Correct. Look on e-bay and salvage yards. BUT also make sure its not a CL. while they look the same they arent and wont work. also make sure you get the code for the radio with it