Replacing factory CD player

[mrxonix]

I have a factory CD player and a factory mazda subwoofer (the one in the spare tire well)
I'd like to replace the player with another (mp3 playing) model. Salesman at the local BestBuy told me that there is no wiring harness for mazda cars that will keep the connection to the subwoofer, so if i want a new radio/cd/etc i would have to loose the sub. That sounds like a bad deal...

Any suggestions? Are there wiring kits for mazda out there to connect other stereos to the speakers and sub without any "custom" work?

 

[mazdaspeedpower]

I'm sure there are ways to wire the sub into the system. Go to an audio shop, and they will be able to wire you up a harness.

 

[jonlong]

Hey, good news...the guy at the store doesn't know what he is talking about.

You only need two things to install your new reciever.
1. Dash Kit $10.95
2. Wiring Harness $6.95

Dash Kit
http://www.sounddomain.com/shop/item.pl?sku=SCOMA1537B&vq_id=none
Wiring Harness
http://www.sounddomain.com/shop/item.pl?sku=SCOMA03B&vq_id=none

Your subwoofer gets its signal from the door speakers, not directly from the reciever. You hook your reciever as if there were no subwoofer, just follow the directions that come w/ the wiring harness, which are very simple, and your subwoofer will continue to work. You will be happy with the difference that a new reciever makes, it powers the factory speakers nicely. If you have any other questions, let me know.

 

[mrxonix]

Hey, good news...the guy at the store doesn't know what he is talking about.

You only need two things to install your new reciever.
1. Dash Kit $10.95
2. Wiring Harness $6.95

Dash Kit
http://www.sounddomain.com/shop/item.pl?sku=SCOMA1537B&vq_id=none
Wiring Harness
http://www.sounddomain.com/shop/item.pl?sku=SCOMA03B&vq_id=none

Your subwoofer gets its signal from the door speakers, not directly from the reciever. You hook your reciever as if there were no subwoofer, just follow the directions that come w/ the wiring harness, which are very simple, and your subwoofer will continue to work. You will be happy with the difference that a new reciever makes, it powers the factory speakers nicely. If you have any other questions, let me know.

Thanx for the advice))) Great news and i will try to do a job myself now.
Here is something i wonder about: the harness description says that
"The MA03B is a speaker leads only harness for select Mazda vehicles. It does not provide power connections. For use when adding an aftermarket amplifier to the factory head unit."
Does it mean i will have to deal with a power connector separately? What do i do there? I probably could figure it out on my own but wouldn't want to keep a dash taken apart for too long.
Also - where do i start opening up a console? I was a lot more brave with my old chevy)))))

 

[jonlong]

Hmm...I know that the harness I used did have the power connections, but maybe I used a different brand. I bought my harness at Best Buy and the dash kit from www.sounddomain.com. Try Best Buy for the wiring harness. As far as taking out the old radio:

1. You'll need to pop off the two plastic trim pieces on the sides of the reciever. I used a thin knife to pop them off.
2. You need some special tools to get the radio out. They are shaped like a "U" and fit into the holes that you have now exposed by removing those plastic pieces. Once again, any car audio store will have them. I think they are usually made for Ford/Mazda radios. You need TWO sets of these tools, because you need 4 of them total (because of the size of the radio, it has 4 holes on each side).
3. Follow the directions that come w/ the tools. You just pop em in and pull out the radio. You need to be patient w/ this step because it can be kinda frustrating.

If you have any other questions, just let me know.

 

[mdagost103]

with the sound system u can play mp3's on your factory unit ive done it. Also with putting a new sub and amp in you can hack in through the existing wiring so you dont have to run new wiring. Best buy is idiiots they dont know the different between there had and there ass.

 

[+ friction]

Try the A/V section for more detailed help...those people really know what the hell they are talking about.

Circuit City tried the same BS with me, but finally figured it out. I had a nice Alpine installed, but it was almost too much for the sub...just went back to my OEM 6-disc yesterday, and the sub is much easier to control.

BTW, all future stereo work will be done by either a) me or b) a "real" car stereo shop.

 

[mrxonix]

Hmm...I know that the harness I used did have the power connections, but maybe I used a different brand. I bought my harness at Best Buy and the dash kit from www.sounddomain.com. Try Best Buy for the wiring harness. As far as taking out the old radio:

1. You'll need to pop off the two plastic trim pieces on the sides of the reciever. I used a thin knife to pop them off.
2. You need some special tools to get the radio out. They are shaped like a "U" and fit into the holes that you have now exposed by removing those plastic pieces. Once again, any car audio store will have them. I think they are usually made for Ford/Mazda radios. You need TWO sets of these tools, because you need 4 of them total (because of the size of the radio, it has 4 holes on each side).
3. Follow the directions that come w/ the tools. You just pop em in and pull out the radio. You need to be patient w/ this step because it can be kinda frustrating.

If you have any other questions, just let me know.

I already ordered everything from sounddomain including the cd player (they had a decent price and all the wiring and a dash kit were included so it turned out cheaper). We'll see about connections. As for U tools - that may be a problem but i've got lots of other tools to play around with - hopefully i can get around the problem. If not - too bady for me, some audio shop will get my money...

 

[jonlong]

When I first removed that kind of stereo it was in my 2000 Ranger and I was able to get it out with barbecue skewers. I found that the proper tools make life much much easier, though, and are worth the very few bucks that they will set you back. I got mine from Meijer (Not sure if you have those where you live) and they were like $4 a set.

 

[anarchistchiken]

Yeah F*CK best buy. Go to circuit city (shameless plug for place of employment) or a local well respected audio shop.
The stock sub is really worthless. I recently did a test where i had my friend sitting in the back seat and had him plug and unplug the sub with music playing and there's barely any difference in the sound. I really don't think it's worth the trouble it takes to splice any wires or any of that crap. Just buy some nice memphis speakers when you get your head unit and you'll get twice the bass your 4 1/2 inch sub (ducted enlclosure, my bad) provides.