The new Jenson rattles in the dash of my 2000 SI

[Dale_K]

The 2000 SI I bought 2 weeks ago needed a new radio, so I bought a Jenson at the Walmart and took it to the local car audio shop and paid them $94 to install it. It rattles like crazy on rough roads. In fact it will rattle a little bit sitting still at idle from the vibrations of the engine. The rattle seems to be caused by the radio or installation kit being kind of loose and the radio can move around a little.

I went back the the car audio shop today and showed them the rattle. They got real defensive, "I'm not sure what we can do.". They used an installation kit and backstrapped it according to them. I'm scheduled to go back to them next week so they can try to fix it but maybe I'd be better off attempting it myself.

I reviewed the instructions I found online from the Install Doctor and it looks to me like they should have used the factory mounts that screw to the side of the radio. The Jenson instruction manual says it has the screw holes for ISO mounting. Seems to me that would lock the radio solidly in place instead of depending on the plastic install kit.

So my question is what's the best way to mount an aftermarket radio in a 2000 SI to achieve a totally rattle free installatioin? Can I use the original Honda brackets and bolt the radio through the side holes?

 

[Ej8Kid]

I used the original brackets. Is yours a double din?

 

[Dale_K]

I used the original brackets. Is yours a double din?

Not a double din. Here's what the front of the installed (rattling) radio looks like. I jammed a piece of wood in the lower cubby to see if the rattle would stop and it did reduce it little but it didn't stop it.

 

[zammykoo]

its hard to tell what exactly is causing the rattle without looking at the install job

but check to see if the entire center console (large black bezel piece) is not seated properly. this is assuming the installer removed it during the install. the bezel is seated by metal/plastic clips onto the dashboard. also make sure the two screws beneath are screwed in tightly

 

[Dale_K]

I fixed the radio today. EJ8KID said he used the original brackets and that's also what every online installation manual said so I spent all morning pulling out the DIN kit installation performed by the radio shop and reinstalled the original brackets and bolted the radio in from the side just like the OEM.

It baffles me why the radio shop did it they way they did. It's not like they saved any time or effort. It would have been easier for them to use the ISO side mounting screws and brackets. I'm going over tommorow moring and talk to them. I wasted $94 since I had to do it over myself. It did please me that I was able to complete the job successfully. Sort of built up my self confidence after I realized I could do it myself provided I had some good instructions. The stuff on the Install Doctor website is really excellent.

I had a little scare at the end when I turned on the radio for the first time and the display was black & white but it went back to full color after I took the front display plate off and put it back on again.

 

[ImThaBean]

Radio installs are the easiest thing every, especially if you buy the right parts. I just hope for your sake the install shop didnt cut your OEM harness to tap into the HD.