I have a 05 TSX AT nonNAV. My local custom audio shop said they'd charge about $80 to install my amp. Not bad, but I've installed many amps before without much problem. I gave it a short try over the weekend. This car seems tricky to get a wire to the trunk. I couldn't find any open grommets (not sure how to get to the one near the center top of the firewall from the inside). I tried to push a wire snake through the main wire chase (near the fuse box) but that was too tight. Then I tried to run a snake through the left front fender which also didn't work. Taking the wheel well liner off MAY work, but I don't want to break any fasteners and not sure how they come loose. How do you guys do this -- pay for someone else to do it?

If I continue to do this myself, where is the best place to tap into a ignition turn-on lead? It seems there should be an unused NAV harness in the trunk somewhere. This car reminds me of my Saab -- every wire and grommet used and every panel nicely covered up. Cheap cars are so much easier to work on.

 

https://acurazine.com/forums/audio-video-electronics-navigation-22/%2A%2Aaudio-video-diy-info-faq-all-models-%2A%2A-299065/

This diy thread has everything you need to know about installing an amp in the tsx. Happy reading and good luck on the install.

You should run the power wire through the fire wall, then down by the fuse box area and down the inside left side of the car under the carpet. Pull up on the main trim pieces first. Get a good gripp and pull straight up. Mostly the same with most of the trim pieces, but be carefull. Read the DIY real quick. I even had to take the bottom part of the back seat out to make mine perfect. Its only 1 bolt and it comes out. Good luck and have fun.

 

CMD, there is a lot of DIY info in the Master DIY list on what you're referring to.

Any why use an ignition wire for remote turn on? There's remote turn on at the HU AND at the harness going into the C pillar for the FM amp. This has been reported by others as working out fine.

I got my wire through the left front fender, there's a rubber grommet above the fuse box in the kick panel. Gotta take out the inner fender pops at the aft bottom and reach inside. But Dan Martin posted pics of how he did it throughthe firewall.

 

Thanks for the info thus far.

CJams, I read through this DIY post first (thanks anyways). Seemed pretty simple, until I tried doing it. I couldn't get a wire through the main wire chase as suggested without tearing up the rubber wire boot. It looks like the boot is then wrapped tightly in electrically tape into the engine compartment and not so easy to access to rewrap. I didn't see an open grommet other than on which is pretty high up on the dash. That grommet is right below the wipers and looks like you'd need the head unit out to access from the inside.

elduderino, if the above doesn't work (which it wasn't for me), how do the fender fasteners come out without breaking them?

As far as the remote turn-on, I don't plan on taking the head unit out. I'm going run the amp for a sub and just tap into the rear speaker leads (for now at least). Where is the FM amp wiring harness located? I couldn't find it with all the trunk panels in tact.

 

If you put a 1/4" slit in the boot and slide through in to the engine area it should work out fine! If you ever remove the amp the slit will be barely noticable if at all. Thats my recomendation.

The remote turn on is located at the OEM amp under the "Not An Ashtray!". The DIY thread tells you which wire it is.

 

Thanks, I'll have to give this a try over the weekend. Every time I start to install the amp I think, "this is going to take my entire Saturday, maybe $80 isn't so bad." I'll try again.

 

FINALLY managed to run the wire through. As I was starting to take the panel under the steering column off I noticed light through the wheel well. Where there is light there is a way. I managed to run the 4 gauge through the wheel well and into the door grommet. The hardest part was getting the driver side door trim back on after the wire was run -- just didn't want to snap back in place. I never figured out where the FM amp harness was so I ran a wire from the fuse box to the trunk. Nothing has been hooked up yet though -- wire run only. I haven't figured out what I'm doing with speakers yet (coax, components, sub, etc) but the hardest part is done.

Have to take a break from the stereo. I heard an annoying creek in the rear that needs addressed. It may be the new sway bar needs taped rather than greased!