I've searched the archives but I'm still confused. The original Bose in my 2000 3.2TL is garbage - it can't play CDs anymore. My understanding, though, is that any replacement must be a total rip-out and replace - the stereo face, the speakers, all the wiring, etc.

So, if I'm not mistaken, it seems like a $1000-1500 proposition. Am I wrong?? Between this and the transmission problem, I'm tempted to just junk it and get a new TL or RL. But the idea of another Bose system doesn't excite me.

 

you don't need to change out everything just cause you change your headunit.....just find a headunit you like buy the dash kit and wiring harness and your good........and the price varies it really depends on what HU you go for.......and if you want to stay with the factory head theres one for sale in the BM

https://acurazine.com/forums/car-parts-sale-361/sold-fs-99-03-tl-6-disc-cd-changer-359958/

 

I changed out my head unit and nothing else. The sound it still good. Or try to get a 6 disc radio from the blackmarket. they pop up every now and then.

 

you dont need to replace any thing but the HU. If you locate a 02-03 TL hu its a direct plug and play, it plays burnt cds and it holds 6

 

So what exactly is the "head unit", this is what has confused me... does this mean I can get any Alpine or Sony on Crutchfield that pops up as fitting my car? Or does it mean I have to get an Acura-embossed and Acura-endorsed type unit like the Bose piece of crap I currently have?

Thanks,

Brian

 

Any Single din radio you want (double dins require custom made dash kits) most all radios are single din. All you need is a metra dash kit (about 15 bucks) to mount the HU in and a wire harness(also like 10 bucks or so). There are instructions here to get the oem sub to work with it. There is NO need to replace every thing.

Head Unit= Radio/CD player/Tape Deck/Flip Out Monitor........ What ever you want to replace the OEM radio with

 

I recently replaced the HU with an after market Kenwood CD player. When i was finished my dash lights work until i turn my headlights on and then the shut off. I was wondering if anyone could help me solve this problem. I heard it could be the dimmer wire connected wrong, if this is true what wire is it and what wire do i need to connect it to. thanks

 

did you use a wiring kit..........

 

yes

 

Well it has to be something that you connected wrong. I would say its most likely the dimmer wire. Disconect eh wire you used for the dimer wire. (i have a kenwood HU and have the dimmer wire and its connected and works fine) Im not sure off hand which wire is the OEM dimer wire

 

that has to be it.........the thing now is to take it apart and find the wire thats either not connected or connected wrong.......

 

thanks im going to try it today if it does not work ill post again.

 

I tried to wire the dimmer in with the remote wire and was not succesful. so i ended up completely disconnecting the wire and it still didnt work. anyone with anymore suggestions let me know.

 

Can you return everything to the original wiring state just to confirm you can get the dash lights to work when the headlights are on?

Did you do all of your re-wiring with the battery disconnected? If not, you might have shorted something out.

Good luck!

Bob

 

hope this helps you out.........its from the audio DIY section.........

https://acurazine.com/forums/audio-video-electronics-navigation-22/stock-wiring-harness-diagram-260399/