Dash Kit for Mazda3 And Keep Factory LCD

[allenpg]

I just got a new 2007 Mazda 3 with the Bose package. I'd like to keep the JVC HDR-1 head unit and Ipod hookup I got a few months ago for my P5.

From what I can tell, the current dash kits for the Mazda 3 fill in the spot where the factory LCD panel went. I have the automatic climate control and would like to keep the LCD panel for that and the clock/gas readout. Has anyone found a kit or figured out a mod to allow the factory LCD in place while putting in an aftermarket HU?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

-Pete

P.S. I'd like to try it myself, but would up for recommendations in Chicago area for good installers (preferably the city). Thanks!

 

[Euphorism]

the dash kit i bought doesnt allow for the lcd, but the lcd screen is hooked via a bracket to the top of the stock player. they aftermarket kit places a flat plastic piece along where the screen would sit. a couple measurements and some screws and you could cut that piece of plastic off, and mount the lcd bracket to the top of the aftermarket kit.

 

[tsunami]

but then you need to power it and get its information which is coming into the wiring harness from the HU...

 

[Japaneezy]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MAZD...010QQitemZ200107903032QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

 

[Akaveli]

I just got a new 2007 Mazda 3 with the Bose package. I'd like to keep the JVC HDR-1 head unit and Ipod hookup I got a few months ago for my P5.

From what I can tell, the current dash kits for the Mazda 3 fill in the spot where the factory LCD panel went. I have the automatic climate control and would like to keep the LCD panel for that and the clock/gas readout. Has anyone found a kit or figured out a mod to allow the factory LCD in place while putting in an aftermarket HU?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

-Pete

P.S. I'd like to try it myself, but would up for recommendations in Chicago area for good installers (preferably the city). Thanks!

I'm in the same boat. Thats why I decided to keep my stock radio cause of the functions I need for the LCD screen that displays all of that information.

 

[Japaneezy]

ahh just get a Scan Gauge II and you'll get all that info back and more. plust you can probably fit the scan gauge over the old non functioning left half of the LCD anyways.

 

[Euphorism]

but then you need to power it and get its information which is coming into the wiring harness from the HU...

i dont understand. my lcd screen has its own harness. the plug for it is sitting empty in my dash. i could do very easily what i stated above.

 

[red6spd]

Yes it does have its own plug. I cut the braket that holds the LCD and radio together so I just have the top part where the LCD mounts. I then made a small braket on each side and riveted to the cut factory braket. I then bolted the new brakets to the radio. It takes some time to do it. The radio readout of the LCD doesn't work (Hence no factory radio to tell it what to do) but the climate and outside temp does. I have the metra radio install kit that has the radio on top and pocket on bottom.

I wish the factory would just stick with DIN size openings and would make installing aftermarket radios much better.

i dont understand. my lcd screen has its own harness. the plug for it is sitting empty in my dash. i could do very easily what i stated above.

 

[ecniemann]

Red6spd,

I have been getting quite ambiguous and contradictory answers regarding this topic, both in reading these forums, as well as talking to Crutchfield/install shops, etc. Since I got my Speed 3, I have been wanting to change head units. I originally thought about just getting a LOC, but decided changing the HU would be more beneficial. My only requirement was that the LCD still displays the temperature and air direction AND works/changes with the climate controls and ambient temp. button. Some people are saying the display will read, but not change with the climate control. Others say no read-out is possible. From your posts, it seems everything I want will work correctly. To be clear, you have a 2007 ms3 with aftermarket stereo and you are still able to change climate control with correct read-out on display? Also, it looks like your clock still works? Is there any physical restriction that would prevent double-din compared to single-din installation? I saw the double-din install kit online, but it says it is not compatible with 2007 automatic climate control. Not sure what that means exactly, or what website I saw it on. Thanks for any help in advance.

 

[khaydin]

The LCD will still work on your 07 speed3. In 05 and earlier Mazda3's the LCD would not function if you removed the factory headunit. The 06 and up Mazda3's have a harness that goes directly to the LCD without having to go through the factory head unit. You will have full climate control readouts on the display and all the buttons and dials will still update the screen. The things that will not work anymore are the time and the little mileage computer thing since both were connected to a button on the headunit. If you need to change the time you'll either need to put the stock headunit back in or you can just disconnect the battery at the correct time, 11pm or 1am if you're doing it for daylight savings time or just at 12 midnight to get it back to normal time.

 

[tsunami]

sorry guys my bad i have an 04 and forgot that they did change the lcd so it is able to be left behind problem free (except that clock thing thats pretty annoying but its not a huge deal)

 

[red6spd]

Yes and NO. Yes I have a 07 mazdaspeed 3 without bose. Yes the climate control readout fully works correctly with the knob controls and I have an aftermarket radio now in, just a single din. No the clock does not work or the radio readout portion. I don't know about the double DIN.

Red6spd,

I have been getting quite ambiguous and contradictory answers regarding this topic, both in reading these forums, as well as talking to Crutchfield/install shops, etc. Since I got my Speed 3, I have been wanting to change head units. I originally thought about just getting a LOC, but decided changing the HU would be more beneficial. My only requirement was that the LCD still displays the temperature and air direction AND works/changes with the climate controls and ambient temp. button. Some people are saying the display will read, but not change with the climate control. Others say no read-out is possible. From your posts, it seems everything I want will work correctly. To be clear, you have a 2007 ms3 with aftermarket stereo and you are still able to change climate control with correct read-out on display? Also, it looks like your clock still works? Is there any physical restriction that would prevent double-din compared to single-din installation? I saw the double-din install kit online, but it says it is not compatible with 2007 automatic climate control. Not sure what that means exactly, or what website I saw it on. Thanks for any help in advance.

 

[bamflee84]

hello, I have a 07 mazda 3 i touring, nothing crazy with the lcd but just has the climate and the clock. I was looking at using the metra dash kit to put in an aftermarket headunit. I just want to make sure. The 06 and up models have a seperate harness for the lcd. So that these function will work if i take out the stock headunit. I will though lose the functions of the steering wheel remote and any readouts that come from the radio. In my case only the radio station display.

 

[clos561]

my lcd works..i have it displaying the current average mpg and the climate bs..u have to plug in the stock headunit and pick which display u want..then leave the lcd plugged in and install ur radio..i have mine jsut sitting on top of my radio and it doesnt move at all and i can see everything fine(five-0)

 

[henrylynn]

Keep factory LCD

my lcd works..i have it displaying the current average mpg and the climate bs..u have to plug in the stock headunit and pick which display u want..then leave the lcd plugged in and install ur radio..i have mine jsut sitting on top of my radio and it doesnt move at all and i can see everything fine(five-0)

So, if you ever loose power from the battery you have to reconnect the old head unit to get the mpg display back?

 

[iknospd3]

thanks guys this was the same Q: i asked last week i'm getting my radio installed later this week its a double-din dash kit w/ an eclipse avn 5495 navi unit my installer says it will be able to work w/ the factory a/c display but no clock i'll post pix and let every one know when its done btw the installer says it will only work w/ 2007 and up models

 

[khaydin]

Nice! Hurry up and get that thing installed and throw up some pics! You should really do it yourself though, it's so easy and you'd save all the install money(well except for a few tools if you don't already have them) not to mention getting to know your car a little better. Pretty much the hardest part of the whole install is running the wire for the GPS antenna and even that becomes easy once you realize that the whole car is held together by retention clips!

 

[iknospd3]

well that's the way it has to be now my apt. got cancelled for fri and i'm bein told now not til next week, i'm off on mon so me and a friend are just gonna install it ourselves soon as its done i'll post pix

peace

 

[Jeremy Tjon]

Hi there,

I am installing an aftermarket head unit in my 2005 Mazda 3 (climate control), but it appears that I have no separate harness for the LCD, since mine is plugged in the factory head unit.

I couldn't find a separate harness for the LCD in my dashboard, so does this irrevocable mean that I can't use the LCD with my aftermarket unit?

Isn't there a cable around that plugs in the big radio harness of the car to the same radio harness AND the small LCD harness?

I am only interested in the LCD info for climate control and perhaps the trip computer.

THANKS!

 

[khaydin]

Hi there,

I am installing an aftermarket head unit in my 2005 Mazda 3 (climate control), but it appears that I have no separate harness for the LCD, since mine is plugged in the factory head unit.

I couldn't find a separate harness for the LCD in my dashboard, so does this irrevocable mean that I can't use the LCD with my aftermarket unit?

Isn't there a cable around that plugs in the big radio harness of the car to the same radio harness AND the small LCD harness?

I am only interested in the LCD info for climate control and perhaps the trip computer.

THANKS!

Unfortunately you won't be able to use the LCD on a 2005 model if you use an aftermarket head unit. Only 2006 mazda 3's and up have a seperate harness for the LCD to display info.