Hello All,
First time poster here. I just replaced the stock stereo in my wife's 2000 Acura TL with an Alpine MP3/WMA CD Receiver Model No. CDA-9851 (it was the wife's decision; I'm just the muscle). First problem I ran into after installing the new head unit was the center speaker/subwoofer in the back would not play any sounds. This may have been an existing problem as my wife seems to think it's at least as loud and bassy as it was before installing the new unit. Is there anything special I need to know in regards to making the sub play sounds?

Next problem, the instrument panel lighting is acting strangely. All the climate control lights illuminate when the headlights are off but when the headlights are turned on they dim dramatically and the dash lights do not illuminate. Did I remove some sort of controller for this by removing the stock stereo? I checked the dimmer and it's turned all the way up (need to make sure I pushed the connector back in all the way as well but thought I'd check here first before tearing into the beast again ).

Any and all help would be much appreciated...

 

Welcome to the Forum.

First problem, You will loose the stock sub by putting in a aftermarket HU due to the fact that when you remove the radio you bypass the stock EQ and get rid of the power to the sub. There is a separate amp that powers the sub. You will have to run some wires to the remote turn on at the amp behind the rear seat

https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...75&postcount=5

As for the light issue, You didnt remove anything that would cause that. The only thing i can think of is you have a wire hooked up wrong (like the dimmer wire?)

 

Thanks for the info!! Will post back results...

 

I still haven't attempted to wire the amp or any of that part of fixing the car because I'm stuck on the dimmer problem. Does anyone know the wiring scheme for the harness attached to the dimmer? I'm trying to check the wire's voltage to make sure juice is still getting to the dimmer in case I severed a wire somewhere along the way by accident.

Again, any and all help much appreciated!!

 

You couldnt have severed a wire. There is a lead that comes off the stock harness that controlled the brightness of the radio. Many aftermarket radios have a wire for being able to dim with the dimmer switch so that its not so bright. Take the radio out and see if that corrects the problem.