Note: Please move this post if necessary; it's been awhile since I've been here and I'm not sure where to post such things anymore. I used to know where to post when I had my TL Type-S but with the MDX forum I get lost even though there always seems less to talk about (much to my chagrin).
At hand: aftermarket installation of a double-DIN head unit in my 2007 MDX. Talk about a custom job.
I'm nearing completion of installing my new 7" touchscreen JVC head unit in my MDX. I'm about 75% complete. My (current) problem (there are always problems with custom work) is this: where can I find a wire to attach the JVC illumination (orange/white) wire to some wire in the vehicle harness? The older MDX's were SO much easier!!
My theory is this: when the headlights are turned on the dash lights dim, so somewhere there has to be a wire of appropriate gauge I can tap into. I want to remind that I am not looking to tap into the dimmer switch. These wires are around 22 gauge wire.
I'm looking for a wire that may come right out of the steering stock perhaps? The headlight stock, does that have any specific wires that are relevant? What is producing this voltage drop when the lights are turned on so the dash lights become "dim"? Is it a relay or a fuse somewhere connection somewhere in the engine bay perhaps? Everything in the cabin is exposed so I can test nearly any wire within reason.
FWIW I've taken pictures of the whole process, some with my Nikon D7100 so I can get great depth of field shots on objects I really want to emphasize and others with my iPhone, which although still good, trades off quality for ease of accessibility when wanting to take pictures in a small and difficult location. When this project is complete I will explain in detail how it is I went about thsi process, the reason I chose the location for my head unit (where the old nav unit screen was), parts, which wires are what (except for illumination!), costs, and tools required. And patience. A lot of it. I've learned a lot from this project of what to and what not to do so it should be a huge help to someone who is looking for a 4/5 to 5/5 difficulty level project (if you want it to look good and maintain the OEM look in the console area).
Once complete I'll have to ask one of the moderators to help me put some sort of post together or perhaps upload a MS Word file for others to take the plunge if they so desire.
My next project (after finishing my MAME arcade) is to do this all over again but putting the double-DIN where the existing CD changer is, just below the HVAC controls. This setup would be ideal.
Lastly, reaching over to the touch screen is not nearly as bad as one would think. I had many reservations because of this but after much "ergonomic testing" from different people they concluded it works quite well. The added remote makes it that much easier, and it has Blue Tooth to boot.
Thanks in advance, but I wanted to provide an update of this project along with a sincere question about the illumination wire. Up until 06' I believe it was blk/red but that may have been for the dimmer, idk.
At hand: aftermarket installation of a double-DIN head unit in my 2007 MDX. Talk about a custom job.
I'm nearing completion of installing my new 7" touchscreen JVC head unit in my MDX. I'm about 75% complete. My (current) problem (there are always problems with custom work) is this: where can I find a wire to attach the JVC illumination (orange/white) wire to some wire in the vehicle harness? The older MDX's were SO much easier!!
My theory is this: when the headlights are turned on the dash lights dim, so somewhere there has to be a wire of appropriate gauge I can tap into. I want to remind that I am not looking to tap into the dimmer switch. These wires are around 22 gauge wire.
I'm looking for a wire that may come right out of the steering stock perhaps? The headlight stock, does that have any specific wires that are relevant? What is producing this voltage drop when the lights are turned on so the dash lights become "dim"? Is it a relay or a fuse somewhere connection somewhere in the engine bay perhaps? Everything in the cabin is exposed so I can test nearly any wire within reason.
FWIW I've taken pictures of the whole process, some with my Nikon D7100 so I can get great depth of field shots on objects I really want to emphasize and others with my iPhone, which although still good, trades off quality for ease of accessibility when wanting to take pictures in a small and difficult location. When this project is complete I will explain in detail how it is I went about thsi process, the reason I chose the location for my head unit (where the old nav unit screen was), parts, which wires are what (except for illumination!), costs, and tools required. And patience. A lot of it. I've learned a lot from this project of what to and what not to do so it should be a huge help to someone who is looking for a 4/5 to 5/5 difficulty level project (if you want it to look good and maintain the OEM look in the console area).
Once complete I'll have to ask one of the moderators to help me put some sort of post together or perhaps upload a MS Word file for others to take the plunge if they so desire.
My next project (after finishing my MAME arcade) is to do this all over again but putting the double-DIN where the existing CD changer is, just below the HVAC controls. This setup would be ideal.
Lastly, reaching over to the touch screen is not nearly as bad as one would think. I had many reservations because of this but after much "ergonomic testing" from different people they concluded it works quite well. The added remote makes it that much easier, and it has Blue Tooth to boot.
Thanks in advance, but I wanted to provide an update of this project along with a sincere question about the illumination wire. Up until 06' I believe it was blk/red but that may have been for the dimmer, idk.