Keeping LCD display with aftermarket HU?

[stageseven]

Well I just got my replacement stereo for my speed3 in. I realized when I looked at the stereo bracket that I'm going to completely lose the LCD display. I don't really care about the clock/tuner stuff or losing the functionality of the steering wheel buttons, but I'd rather keep the temperature display if possible. Is it possible to rig it up in a way that I can keep partial functionality of the display, or is everything run through the stock HU? Also, before I go ahead and take out the stock HU, will I lose use of the air conditioner or is all the climate control stuff seperate?

If it's just a matter of splicing some wires it wouldn't be that difficult, I'd just need to know what to connect to what.

 

[staples187]

Someone else had this same issue but was able to save the LCD for the temp/clock ect, if I can get ahold of the thread I'll be sure to post it up.

 

[Akaveli]

Someone else had this same issue but was able to save the LCD for the temp/clock ect, if I can get ahold of the thread I'll be sure to post it up.

please do cause I'm in the same situation.

 

[khaydin]

I believe only 04 and 05 will lose the functionality of the LCD by changing the headunit. 06 and later 3's have a seperate wiring harness that connects the LCD, the LCD no longer connects to the headunit.

I have an aftermarket headunit in my 07 MS3 and the LCD displays the climate info just fine. You only lose the clock and mileage computer.

 

[ecniemann]

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123670879

 

[WetsuitxNinja]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/Nofriends/Photo-0030.jpg

Hardest part is making brackets to hold the LCD screen. I used a strip of metal cut off an old stereo mounting cage.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/Nofriends/Photo-0018.jpg

Kinda get you an Idea on how you have to bend it and mount it. there is no trick to wiring it, and sometimes the clock decides it wants to be 20-30 mins slow, so basically the only usefull thing is having your temp display.

 

[mghunt]

I believe only 04 and 05 will lose the functionality of the LCD by changing the headunit. 06 and later 3's have a seperate wiring harness that connects the LCD, the LCD no longer connects to the headunit.

I have an aftermarket headunit in my 07 MS3 and the LCD displays the climate info just fine. You only lose the clock and mileage computer.

This is kind of misleading. The 06 and later will lose half of their LCD functionality. climate control is ok, but the switching functionality of the mileage computer/info screens is lost. It gets stuck on one selection.

It seems to me that the mileage computer, clock etc are calculated somewhere else, other than the headunit. Otherwise, how would the clock function? You know? I have a feeling that the wiring harness to the LCD is there so the switches above the HU can control the mileage computer. If new switches could be wired up and connected to the harness, it might be possible to retain full functionality, minus the FM/CD track info. worth a shot, you know? If the mileage computer functionality is in the HU, we're screwed, unless the HU is hidden somewhere, say in the glovebox.

 

[boostdog]

why not extend the stock harness and hide the stock hu somewhere..that way it all still works...just rewire the aftermarket hu ...should be very easy. heck you could still use the speaker wires if needed and just run power and ground to the stock hu. I am sure that it could be done.