DIY: Installing an AUXILIARY input
 

With technology changing, I wanted to put in an AUX input in the RL. Couldn't find too much information on how to do it. With some help from fellow AZ members, I got it done.

Tools needed: 11mm socket and a screwdriver
Time: 1-2 hours
Cost: $42 for the PIA adapter and $10 for RCA-3.5mm cable

Items needed: PIA HON-AUX auxiliary RCA audio input
http://www.installer.com/item/displa...php?it=HON-AUX
http://www.installer.com/photos/hon-aux.jpg

You will also need a 3.5mm - RCA adapter

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...DSC_0003-1.jpg
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FIRST STEP: Make sure you take your CD's out of the cd changer, I believe it becomes inoperable once you unplug it.

Starting out:
Your dash
Attachment 53696

Remove the side triangular panels, there is a bolt on each side you'll need to remove
Attachment 53697

Remove the shifter wood grain piece
Attachment 53698

Once you remove that, there will be two screws and two bolts that you'll need to remove (missing a picture of them but you'll see it once you're in there)

Once you remove the two side bolts, two bolts under the ashtray and two screws, you just have to unclip 4 clips up on top. BE VERY CAREFUL I broke all 4 of mine and will need to get in there to glue some stuff up at another time (I was running out of day light and the garage has my new cabinets in there and I can't pull in until I install them)

Attachment 53699

Here is the CD changer cable, you need to take that out
Attachment 53700

Here it is with the one that comes with the PIA unit
Attachment 53701

Mess
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Plug in the PIA unit in place of the cd changer. Now it should work when you plug the 3.5mm plug into an audio source (GPS, phone, ipod, etc.)

I ran the cable out of one of the triangular pieces, still deciding what I want to do with it. I may leave as is since I'll be using a GPS, my phone for Pandora streaming and my iPod at times.
Attachment 53703
Attachment 53704

Here it is all done, playing Pandora from my Palm Pre on the factory radio. My GPS is coming in tomorrow, I'm excited to see how that MP3 player and bluetooth will work.

Attachment 53705


:woot: If it wasn't for the 4 clips breaking, this would have been a very simple project. Should have been more careful like Old Hatch said.:tomato:

Good luck.

Sticky? :wish:

Stuck :)

Thanks for the write up. Do you know if this will work with a navi model?

I guess it's a little more difficult because of a different connector.

Here's some info from Old Hatch from the other thread on aux inputs

Thanks!
I have another stupid question. Is it possible to remove the switches on the bottomw WITHOUT removing the whole panel?
Attachment 53694

^You can pull them out but if you remove the bottom panel around the shifter (very easy to do so), you can get in there and push them out if you can't do it by just pulling.

I'll try pulling since mine are higher up, by the monitor.
Oh yeah... great choice of music. :thumbsup:

Ha-ha, I didn't even notice what was on when I was testing it and then noticed in the picture.

I have a very wide variety of music on my phone/iPod.

thanks for the diy i been trying to take out my factory radio from my 2002 rl for like a week didnt know about the screws on the side by the triangle pieces took out shifter assembly and couldnt go any further

^I had the same problem. Could not figure out why it wouldn't come out after removing the shifter plate.

Happened across this post for a friend and saw my palm pre! Love it! Good job on the write up also.

Good job man!

I,m slacking on the nav pinourts. with the kids being off i have to take care of them. lol

Good job looks great! Can someone please give me the instructions how to tear apart the dash of 1999 acura rl with navi? I really need it as soon as possible, any help is greatly appreciate it!

Thanks everyone! It was a fun project, still haven't gone back in to fix it.

bonus - it should be exactly the same, you need to take the side bolts out and remove the bolts under the ashtray, that should make it come right out.

dumb question, will this work for the 03 non nav? I know it says to 01, but i wasn't sure if it would work.

Yes, radios/wiring are the same.

suite, thanks. I just ordere one from fleabay for $40.49

Has old hatch figured out if you can splice in an aux port for the nav models? I would message him but I'm new and I'm not allowed yet. Thanks fellas.

done, works great and no engine noise.

Now i need to get a charger from fleabay.

In the next few months I am getting a setup from this place http://www.installer.com/cars/by_car.php?carid=67 the IS75 has RCA / connector for the ipod and can also charge the ipod, and I will need the FMM100 to connect the IS75 to my radio...you will still be able to use your cd changer ,xm radio functions, and navi (for the 04 RL)

btw, all you really need is a 10 mm socket with an extension or two, not the 11mm one. Most toyota and honda products seem to use quite a few 10 mm bolts, esp when removing the radios.

I didn't need to use a screwdriver to disassemble either.

The project for my car is a little more complex from what i have read. i am trying to put my previous sound sytem in my 97RL. this includes deck, sub, 6 speakers, 2 amps. I could not find a aftermarket dashkit for my car. i was wondering if any1 has put in and aftermarket deck into their first gen RL. i know this is supposed to b a "luxury" car but i have a luxury sound system haha. RL veterns i would love some advice and tips!

bah, i ordered a car charger for my ipod and i can't have the charger and the 3.5 mm jack plugged in at the same time. I can prob shave down both to fit or just use one at a time.

I really like the adaptor. I don't have any engine feedback throught the speakers.

I've done it, in a Navi RL though. You'll need a custom piece of plastic fabricated.

The older RL's are a little more complicated since there radio goes from side to side of the center dash. They dont have a wood surround with a small hole to fill.


I figure the easiest way would be to take your oem radio and cut the hole you need in the middle and fill whatever holes are left in the oem radio face. You would have to sacrifice your oem radio, but getting that whole piece fabbed would be time consuming to say the least.

thanks for the advice guys. one day when i have enough time it will be done and i will post pics.

Thanks
 

Nice post!

Hi, is the procedure same or similar or different for 02 TL-S with no navigation? If not, can someone post the link to DIY TL-S 01-03 AUX if it exist? Thanks!

it's probably very similar, just need to know how to take apart the dash. Check out the 2G TL section, I'm sure others have done it.

I scoured over 2G forum for similar posts did not find any yet. Looking for PIA unit on EBAY.

thanks for this DIY post! i recently bought some lights to replace my burned out dash lights so i might hit this project next. very helpful

Great write up..! Can you tell me if the aux input is the same for sirius satellite portable. I'm presently suffering with a tape deck input...thanks for any info you can give me, Lou

I have no clue. What year is your RL?

2002 no navigation

I set mine up so that there's a 3.5mm plug that comes out. I can plug in anything I want that way. I've even used my iPad for music in the car before.

Thanks for your help. Lou

Thanks for the thread vas25tl. I did this yesterday and it was very easy thanks to your instructions!

Thanks
 

Many thanks!
Personally I passed it thru the dash.
Attachment 52324

Looking good!

Can it work with 2000 3.5RL?