I know you guys hate it and all, but my gf is staunchly anti-Apple and has a stack of MP3 CDs from her last car. Does anyone know if the OEM MP3 player will work in a 2006 TSX? I haven't seen any posts about anyone doing it, and most of the literature I've seen only says 2004-2005.

 

The 2006's audio-in jack is analog and works with any audio device.

 

Yeah but the OEM MP3 player is dash mounted and goes in through the back...Probably not visually nice to go through the front....

 

Couldn't you plug a portable MP3-CD player into the analog jack and leave it in the center console? Does the OEM MP3 player support multiple discs? I thought it was just one.

 

Yes, it's single disc. Yes, she has an MP3 player, but we're used to having an in-dash solution; every time we turn off the car and get out, we leave the MP3 player running and it's drained the next time we get back. It's also more of a hassle to change tracks, and the sound quality does suffer somewhat.

I know, there's an iPod connector plus iPod, which is why I added the anti-Apple disclaimer at the top. I just want to know if it will work or not ...

 

Gotcha. The question is when will auto manufacturers begin including hard disks/memory in dash--that's the best solution!

 

Some car makers (I know Lexus and I think Infinity) already do this.
It is not the best solution. It locks you into a vendor, and limits your storage capacity for a long time.

Even if the OPs GF is anti-apple, they're not the only ones on the block. MP3 CDs are a pain in the ass to create, manage, and use

 

So, options? I'm seriously considering the OEM MP3 player because it uses the factory steering wheel controls, and integrates nicely with the built in nav unit.

And does anyone have a straight answer to the original question?

 

THe OEM mp3 player will work for you. If it does not come with a pie y-cable you will need to get one since you've got an 06. I don't know if it comes with the y-cable or not tho.

 

Thanks. It looks like I may also lose XM by installing it. I'll post pics if anything happens.

 

That's what the y-cable should fix if they don't include one.

 

you'll need OEM mp3 attachement kit for TSX too. its around $100 from the dealer.

 

shrykhar,
The MP3 player that comes from the factory and mounts is the pocket under the AC/Heat controls works wonders. If you are stuck on using the CD's instead of an IPod then I recommend this. It is easy enough to install it yourself, as long as you are comfortable doing it yourself. I know the dealer where I purchased my 07 TSX is offering this unit and installation for only $500.
According to your comments, it sounds like this is what you were asking for.
Let me know if this helps or not.

 

Update: I picked up the kit (mp3 player + install kit) for 300, and I just finished the install. Removing the center console and some hard to reach bolts were a royal pain in the ass; I've done some head unit installs before, and this one seems like it was the most frustrating I've ever done. Oh, and lots of masking tape is recommended.

The unit itself works like a charm though. XM still works too, apparently.

 

Forgot to add that the installation instructions said to cut off the top mounting tabs for the pocket; I didn't, and the mp3 player still installed perfectly.

 

fwiw, i'm using an ipod nano with a belkin cig lighter -> dock connector. this supplies power and has a plug on the side for a 1/8" jack which goes to the 1/8" jack right above the cig lighter in the center console. since its going through the dock connector for power, whenever i switch inputs or shut the car off it goes into pause mode (and then powers off after a few min)

 

I think I fried it. The drama continues ...

 

what happened ? i thought about purchasing one.

 

It was working great until I tried the color change function (hold the eject button 3 seconds and it toggles between whitish green and red button illumination). It worked twice, then the lights all went out and the oem head unit isn't detecting the mp3 player at all. I still have my CD stuck in there ...

 

wait i have a question
i'm also thinking about doing OEM mp3 player to my 06 TSX.
i know you did a DIY, but how much do you think the dealer would cost for installation?

mp3 CD goes in the center dash deck right ?
also, how does it display on the navi screen?

 

I have a TSX accessories price sheet (incl. labor) from the dealer ... $776.00.


You get that thing, and the MP3 CDs go in there. It emulates a CD changer -- the change track buttons on the steering wheel changes songs, and the CD up/down buttons changes folders. There's no song title or filename display -- it shows "CD1" and "Track1" as a CD changer would.

 

Back from the dealer. It works now, but they scratched the hell out of the interior, gf is pissed. Life is not good right now.

Action pics: