The previous owner of my '04 TSX non nav messed up the factory radio harness, so I purchased a Metra 71-1721 to replace it. When I purchased the vehicle, the factory CD changer and player didn't work, like it wasn't even plugged in. I've read that the changers on these have a tendency to go out, so I wasn't worried. I had the metra harness installed by a car a/v place, and after they installed it, the steering wheel controls stopped working. I took a look at the wiring, and it looked like they left 3 wires unhooked, as there wasn't a spot for them on the new harness. (The steering wheel controls worked previously) I didn't really mind, so I didn't mess with it.

I just purchased a new factory radio and cd changer on ebay, and the seller said that the cd changer worked fine. I installed it, and the cd changer didn't work at all, just like the last one. I started thinking that maybe the 3 wires that weren't plugged in might have something to do with it, but I can't find any documentation as to what they are or where they go. Or are they just the steering wheel control wires and I was sold a bad cd changer on ebay? The seller has offered my money back, but I just want to know if these wires would affect the changer operation at all.

I took some pictures. The 3 wires are red/white, red/green, and a brownish beige.






I've checked all the other plugs, and can't find those colors, which leads me to believe they run to the steering wheel. Here's the TSX color code chart for reference, and those colors aren't listed:

Car Radio Battery Constant 12v+ Wire: White/Blue
Car Radio Accessory Switched 12v+ Wire: Yellow/Red
Car Radio Ground Wire: Black
Car Radio Illumination Wire: Red/Black
Car Stereo Dimmer Wire: Red
Car Stereo Antenna Trigger: Yellow/Green
Car Stereo Amp Trigger Wire: N/A
Car Stereo Amplifier Location: Under the center of the dash near the front of the center console.
Car Audio Front Speakers Size: N/A
Car Audio Front Speakers Location: N/A
Left Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Red/Blue
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Yellow
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Blue
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Red
Car Audio Rear Speakers Size: N/A
Car Audio Rear Speakers Location: N/A
Left Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Blue
Left Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Pink
Right Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Light Green
Right Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Violet




Are these just the steering wheel control wires? Would they have anything to do with the cd changer not working? Thanks!

 

The radio and speakers work fine btw.

 

What a hack job. I feel bad for you.. If that's the diagram for your car specifically then I'm stumped. Hopefully someone with a TSX can help you out.


A simple $15 harness and all this could have been avoided..... ugh... I feel for you..

 

Yea, it's pretty ugly. I'm going to send the radio\changer back, try my luck with a different seller, and if I get the same result, I'll just put an aftermarket deck in the cubby. A huge pain either way. Don't know that I'll ever get my steering controls back, but at this point, I just want to be able to play some CD's.

 

I found this:

Second Accessory Positive Wire (+): White/Red
Second Accessory Positive Wire Location: Ignition Switch Harness

Door Trigger Negative Wire (-): Green/Red
Door Trigger Negative Wire Location: At Green 5-Pin Plug Behind Fusebox


So what's the door trigger and second accessory?

 

I found another link that says they're located in the ignition harness...

 

Interesting.... Very interesting.. Wonder if those tell the radio whether the alarm is going off/radio security? Or did the hack job just need some wires to tap into? hmmmmm...