Preowned Misery and Confusion

[OTSWolf]

Hello everyone,

So, the title is a little over the top, but I am confused. I was planning to finish my Nav to NonNav swap by installing my aftermarket stereo. The stereo wiring in the dash is a mess. Below are my questions/issues.

1) Is there any reason why someone would extend the stereo wiring by about 6 feet?

2) If the stock DVD player is messed up, will installing relays help "trick" the system into not giving error messages?

After starting to remove things, I realized why the stereo sound was so weak. Someone spilled something on the DVD changer, the amplifier, and navigation DVD player. They were all covered in some sticky substance, inside and out.

I have already worked my way around the issue, but trying to figure out why someone would do what I found is a little worrisome. Any thoughts?

 

[taco47001]

Pics, model and year would be a big help towards helping to answer your questions.

 

[jerryb]

and pictures of the back with the extension harness

 

[labcab]

I've heard of folks using extension harnesses to move the tape deck. They couldn't figure out how remove it without impacting the HVAC, so they hide it in the console or under a seat.

USA-Spec makes modules to connect iPhones/iPods to OEM head units. Typically, they connect using the CD/DVD changer input. If they make one for your year, that'll be easier than figuring out how to trick the head unit.

 

[OTSWolf]

I have a 2002 LC, I keep forgetting to add it to my signature.

The picture shows three arrows. The green arrow is the long extension of wires. The yellow arrow is where they cut into the stock wiring at the plug. The orange wire is where they reconnected the wire extension back into the stock wiring. These are stereo wires. The additional pink connectors you see throughout are the DVD Changer connections.

I've heard of folks using extension harnesses to move the tape deck. They couldn't figure out how remove it without impacting the HVAC, so they hide it in the console or under a seat.

USA-Spec makes modules to connect iPhones/iPods to OEM head units. Typically, they connect using the CD/DVD changer input. If they make one for your year, that'll be easier than figuring out how to trick the head unit.

labcab, I don't want to trick the headunit. I figured the previous owner did. But you are right, I didn't think that it may have been one of the modules. But why would they want to remove it before selling it? And, they aren't wire taps, they straight cut and extended the wiring. Just confusing.

 

[gatormark91]

The extension wires (green arrow) are part of an aftermarket harness that is SUPPOSED to be used connect the replacement stereo to the factory wiring harness under the passenger seat. You need that when you get rid of the factory amp. All the factory power and speaker connections terminate at the amp location under the seat. I have this same harness in my '00 LC, plugged it in under the seat and snaked it up to the radio location in the dash, through the center console.

I think this person ordered the harness you see, which is intended to be used as described above, but used it wrong and just stuffed the extra wires in the dash.

 

[JS114]

What gatormark91 said...I used that harness correctly; this one was used very incorrectly.

 

[OTSWolf]

The extension wires (green arrow) are part of an aftermarket harness that is SUPPOSED to be used connect the replacement stereo to the factory wiring harness under the passenger seat. You need that when you get rid of the factory amp. All the factory power and speaker connections terminate at the amp location under the seat. I have this same harness in my '00 LC, plugged it in under the seat and snaked it up to the radio location in the dash, through the center console.

I think this person ordered the harness you see, which is intended to be used as described above, but used it wrong and just stuffed the extra wires in the dash.

What gatormark91 said...I used that harness correctly; this one was used very incorrectly.

Hey gatormark91 and JS114. I have that aftermarket harness (metra 70-8116), but I don't think this is that. If it is, they really messed it up. There is no need to splice into the wiring in the dash for the amplifier bypass harness. I mean could someone have really messed it up that bad???

 

[Sandroad]

Sure. It's hard to make something foolproof because fools are so ingenious. What a mess. Appropriate thread title. I wish I could help, but that mess is way over my pay grade (or experience).

 

[OTSWolf]

Sure. It's hard to make something foolproof because fools are so ingenious. What a mess. Appropriate thread title. I wish I could help, but that mess is way over my pay grade (or experience).

I think that we all could use a little help, even if it means just company. Too bad you are all the way in Michigan. I will post up when it is all said and done. And I thought that switching from the NAV HVAC controls to the NonNAV was going to be the difficult part of this project. Go figure.