07 radio into 99

FlatRate

New Member
5+ Year Member
I'm using a 07 CRV radio and putting it into my 99 civic. They have different harness. I'm using the metra wiring harness to attach the two so the install will go easier. I'm running into a lighting problem.

These are the harness that I'm using:

This one plugs into my factory harness...


... and this one plugs into the 07 CRV radio...


... and I'm also using this antenna adaptor so it works with my old style antenna connection vs newer style...



With all wires connected properly to same colors on the aftermarket harness, the radio plugs in and works. The 6disc in dash changer works as well. But the radio does not light up with the parking lights and interior lights. All the connections was straight forward except for 2 that are not the same. They also did nothing when I touched them together.

The problem is that the CRV radio has 2 wires for illumination. A positive and a negative. On my 99 civic, it just says illumination. Not sure how to wire that one up so it illuminates with the vehicle light switch.

Here is the link the the wiring schematic for the CRV metra harness.

So I figure I plug my factory radio back in to see if it needs the code first in order to light up. Sure enough it lights up even with the radio off. The code makes no difference on illumination of the factory setup. Unless the CRV is any different and needs the code to light up I'm not sure. But will be looking into the code tomorrow and get back to everyone.

BTW, I did the same to my 97 odyssey which has the older honda style and used a 98 up harness and it worked, This one is just a bit tricky on the lights.

And I'll have a picture of my setup posted when there is light outside.
 

FlatRate

New Member
5+ Year Member
Was able to snag a few pictures for those who may be wondering...

CRV radio and 6 disc in dash changer


Wiring of harness together and orange wires exposed.


Another view of the orange wires...
 


cgpEJ6

noob
Registered VIP
Registered OG
5+ Year Member
10+ Year Member
Nice, is there any advantage to the newer radio compared to an older one with the 6-disc changer or just availability?
 


FlatRate

New Member
5+ Year Member
Nice headunit swap!
Thanks! =)


Nice, is there any advantage to the newer radio compared to an older one with the 6-disc changer or just availability?
Plays MP3 and has factory AUX inputs. Also it has matching interior colors as my civic instead of being amber.

At the time I bought the 6 disc in dash changer, I though there was no difference. It was cheap and brand new. Even ca,e with factory manuals and everything. Then when it arrived I realized the connection is different. So in order for me to use it, I though why not get a compatible radio and make good use of it.

The new radio unit also has wires for steering wheel controls. But since I don't have that on my civic I'm not using them. They would be the 4 wires going under my changer harness in the shot that has my hand on the left. Changer harness is the black one with white connector. The AUX harness goes to the right of the changer which is not pictured because I'm not sure where I'm going to route that. I may need a longer one if I plan to make use of it.


Lastly, I got the radio code to listen to music in my car and test everything out. All works fine. Bad news is, I still can't figure out how to wire up the interior lights so they light up the radio and changer. I may have to route wires directly to fuse box for interior light. Either that or the dimmer switch.

Will update if I figure out how to do it.
 

radracer

New Member
5+ Year Member
just a thought here about those wires for the steering wheel controls im not sure if they light up as well and need the ground connected as well to get the whole unit to light up , also if you have a multi meter handy you can check to see if the wires in question that you dont know what they do if they are power or ground ....
 

FlatRate

New Member
5+ Year Member
just a thought here about those wires for the steering wheel controls im not sure if they light up as well and need the ground connected as well to get the whole unit to light up , also if you have a multi meter handy you can check to see if the wires in question that you dont know what they do if they are power or ground ....
The ones for the steering wheels don't do my any good because on the adapter harness that I'm using for my stock radio harness does not have those wires. But using a meter to test for power and such is not a bad idea. Something I will need to do. But that is only as good as the source from the dash harness.

I did this in mu old coupe cept I used a 02 accord radio check it out and it was plug an play . Same harness and everything

http://www.clubcivic.com/board/showthread.php?t=161152
In your case, the swap was straight forward because the radio connection is the same. Nice though. I prefer factory head units for less distraction compared to aftermarket.
 

cgpEJ6

noob
Registered VIP
Registered OG
5+ Year Member
10+ Year Member
The auxiliary input is a nice feature. I agree that OEM radios look a lot better than aftermarket. I have 2 EM1 radios but unfortunately they both have problems. Do you happen to know of an OEM radio with amber lights and an auxiliary input, single din?
 

AllStockHatch

Unregistered User
Registered VIP
5+ Year Member
10+ Year Member
The auxiliary input is a nice feature. I agree that OEM radios look a lot better than aftermarket. I have 2 EM1 radios but unfortunately they both have problems. Do you happen to know of an OEM radio with amber lights and an auxiliary input, single din?
I've had my EM1 headunit for a couple years now, no problems at all with it. What's going on with yours? I'm getting bored of mine and got my hands on a double din 98 accord headunit. Swapping out for that soon.
There are a couple oem ones that are amber, just cant remember at the moment.

But about your question about aux input, on the back of the stock headunit, there is the plug for cd changer control. There is an aftermarket plug that makes it take either or (or both) ipod or aux plug. They usually run about $75-100. There are ways to make your own though.
 

cgpEJ6

noob
Registered VIP
Registered OG
5+ Year Member
10+ Year Member
I've had my EM1 headunit for a couple years now, no problems at all with it. What's going on with yours? I'm getting bored of mine and got my hands on a double din 98 accord headunit. Swapping out for that soon.
There are a couple oem ones that are amber, just cant remember at the moment.

But about your question about aux input, on the back of the stock headunit, there is the plug for cd changer control. There is an aftermarket plug that makes it take either or (or both) ipod or aux plug. They usually run about $75-100. There are ways to make your own though.
I have one where the CD player just doesn't work and on the other one the volume knob acts up. When you turn it up sometimes it works, sometimes it goes down, sometimes it does nothing.
 

FlatRate

New Member
5+ Year Member
New factory head units are hard to find in DIN style as I already mentioned because they are all going to a factory style where it will only work in a specific model. I've found that many of the back unit is the same. The only difference is the face plate and bezel that makes it not work.

I work at a large so called dealer ship so I see many different forms of radios. Thats one of my reasons to pick this articular one up because of its DIN style setup. You can always look on ebay for all the Honda/Acura models to see if there are any that are DIN styled and are amber in color.

My 05 CRV is double din style and amber in color, but does not have AUX output. Only the CD changer.
 

FlatRate

New Member
5+ Year Member
An update, I finally got around to addressing this issue due to acts of god. Rain and other factors have been putting this off long enough.

Lets get to the issue...

Found wiring diagrams of both vehicles. On the newer harness the illumination positive is A1 which is the Orange/White wire on the metra harness and the ground is at A10 which is the Orange/Black. Updated picture to show where they are on the 96+ harness.

A1 starts at Red arrow and moves straight across all the way to A9. A10 starts at Bue arrow and continues to the end being A17




On the 98-05 harness which is on my 99 civic, the illumination power is A9 which is the Solid orange on the metra harness and the ground is at A19 which is Orange/White on the metra harness. I've also uploaded updated picture for illustration.

Like the 06+ harness, A1 starts at Red arrow and ends at A10 at the other end. Blue arrow indicates A20 which is at the opposite end.


Keep in mind that if you are looking at the back of the radio, A1 starts at top left and moves across to right. As you can see this is true for both my Honda radios here.

Anyhow, back to the wiring, Metra has the color codes a bit off and thats where I screwed up. Glad I got some factory wiring diagrams to help me figure this one out. Everything else was correct and straight forward except for those 2 wires being mixed up. Metra's description for both those wires are not correct either. It may be correct if you are using it for the correct vehicle, but if you are trying to do what I'm doing it won't work.

Power source on 06+ is labeled Dimmer (Orange/White). On the 98-05 its labeled Light Illumination (Solid Orange).
Ground wire on the 06+ is labeled Dimmer Ground (Orange/Black). On the 98-05 is labeled Dimmer (Orange/White).
 


Top