d4atls

So i ordered a DD nav unit to replace my radio. Which harness should I get? I see one that just says "Harness" and one that says "Harness for Factory Amp/ Premium Audio". I have and aftermarket sub tied into the factory sub wires but I can swap that over easy by running a set of RCA's to the truck from the new HU, It's an 03 TL-S with stock navi, OnStar (That doesn't work), Bose w/ 6 Disc changer in the dash. So one looks like a normal harness, the other has RCA jacks coming out of it.... which one should I buy?

d4atls

If i'm not mistaken one would let me retain the factory amp? One wouldn't? I do have experience as a mobile electronics installer back when Tweeter/HiFi Buys was open but seems I remember hooking the amp from the aftermarket HU up to a factory amp is a bad thing right?

d4atls

Anyone? Please? This thing comes in the mail today.... Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated.

d4atls

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Radio-Stereo-Wire-Harness-AMP-for-Aftermarket-Radio-Stereo-Installation-AC33-/281450185873?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A2003%7CMake%3AAcura%7CModel%3ATL&hash=item4187bd0491&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Radio-Wiring-Harness-Adapter-for-Aftermarket-Radio-Installation-BIN-1721-/121558718936?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A2003%7CMake%3AAcura%7CModel%3ATL&hash=item1c4d76d9d8&vxp=mtr
Those are the two main ones.... would either of these make hooking up a DDIN navi screen with AFTERMARKET SUB, and maybe keep my voice prompts from the factory navi?

01tl4tl

ck in the subsection- Audio
more likely to find a guru of wiring there
MY GUESS would be the one for factory sub/premium audio as the Bose is both!

d4atls

That's what I was thinking too, the RCA would plug in where an aftermarket amp usually does now that I think about it.

d4atls

Ok so i'm gonna bump this thread.... I ended up buying both harnesses.... Had all intention of installing my new nav DDIN unit with the "Premium Audio" harness that has RCA plugs that would connect to the front and rear signal outputs on the back of the unit just as if I were installing an aftermarket 4ch amp and door speakers... But since i'm not and since I've read our factory Bose radios with the 6 disc changers have the amp built into the radio would it not make sense to use the plain jane harness and use the nav HU's built in amp the same way? Any and all input would be GREATLY appreciated!

01tl4tl

have you tried posting this in the audio section? some people only hang out in their specialty

might even be an existing thread if you scroll down the list

the bose speakers are all amped individually and the sub has its own amp iirc
possibly in trunk -under rear deck panel?
BUT
do remember a thread talking about the ground wire for stock sub/amp and problems with that parts replacement = if stock ground doesn't get reinstalled

again- no luck in this area- hit up the audio guys

01tl4tl

I do not have the 6 disc changer, so what I say may have no relevance to your radio #disclaimer

d4atls

Yea I actually already have a thread there and meant to put this there actually, and in my 03 tl-s the amp for the door speakers is in the factory radio from what i've read and understand so far, the only one that has it's own external amp is the sub which in my case doesn't matter because i got rid of it and installed aftermarket. I actually tried at one time to swap my factory radio with one from an 01 CL-S the only difference was it was ridiculously quiet. I knew immediately it wasn't gonna work. But as far as looking at it it was exactly the same Bose 6=disc in dash changer as the one I took out, my guess is it does NOT have the amplifier built in.

Edit: And btw i've dont ALOT of searching for this issue and have yet to find info directly related to it. Installs and keeping factory sub is everywhere but haven't found a single one about there being 2 different wiring harnesses or which one anybody has used, in your case i'd use the "premium audio" harness because as you said each speaker has it's own amp, but in my case if what I've seen and read is true and my door speakers are amplified from the factory radio then I would think using the regular harness would be the correct way because the aftermarket unit i'm installing would have to power them all, and the "line out" RCA jacks of the premium audio harness don't carry a powered signal but signal only to be amplified after the HU. whew..... man this is alot more of an issue than I thought, and I used to work for Tweeter installing these things lol I need to just bite the bullet and read the Acura Tech manual and find out, searching through 2000+ pages on a computer screen sucks though!

01tl4tl

how about asking a local install shop?- perhaps someone there knows more current info on this exact part swap than you do

d4atls

The local install shop "Radio Shack" has a complete buffoon for an instal tech, the nearest after that is over an hour away, I used the plain harness and everything sounds great.

fsttyms1

I see no reason to use the "premium" harness with RCAs unless you plan on keeping the stock radio, and even then i dont know why you would want the premium harness. When using an aftermarket headunit You would just use the RCA outputs from the new HU anyway if you were going to power the speakers with an external amp. If you plan on powering the speakers with the headunit you dont need the one with the RCAs. You will have to splice a set of RCAs to your sub wiring from the sub output on the radio and connect a power turn on for the amp for the sub (which is behind the rear seat passenger side)

01tl4tl

the shack does installs? wow! but not where I was thinking
In my town there are a dozen specialty audio places within blocks of each other
Penny Saver is filled with their ads
BUT Doesnt mean any have a smart installer,,,,but one can hope!!

thanks for sharing your new-found knowledge

d4atls

As I said, I didn't need the Premium harness, your right about the RCA's and I don't need to do that for the factory sub as I got rid of it awhile back and went aftermarket. I'm STILL installing this thing, tracking down reverse and parking brake wires, routing gps antenna wire, video feed and power for backup camera etc... I did find out however that you can take out the factory sub and just cover the hole back up with the bose cover and MAN!!!! The one 12" I have is way louder now. I ended up cleaning up my shifter assembly as it had coke and crud in it but if we don't get snowed on too badly here in bama I should have it all buttoned back up tomorrow.