EXPERIMENT - Retrofitting OEM Nav to EX - is there a solution?

11506 Views 19 Replies 11 Participants Last post by MD Print, Sep 29, 2017

supercrz

Discussion Starter · Apr 4, 2015 (Edited)

10

I know that the Nav will not work because it needed the Nav antenna. I bought the unit because I wanted to see if the radio would at least work.

Because I am stubborn and want to see things for myself, I decided to experiment on retrofitting the OEM Nav to my EX. This seems to be one of the few things a lot of us EX owners want to do.

I was able to find a 2011 CRZ Nav unit on ebay.

I removed the current radio and found these wire harnesses.

So I plugged all the wires to the appropriate slots and nothing happened. The Nav didn't even turn on. I've asked several audio shops and they told me that the wire with the switch should power up the unit.

With this experiment I have a few questions.

1. Is it true that the wire with the switch should be enough to power the Nav or did I get a defective Nav? Should I try getting a wire harness like Metra 71-1729 (basically the one wire harness similar to the OEM power) and try to do a test via 12v battery (twist the red and yellow wires and have it on the positive battery terminal and black wire to the negative terminal.)

2. Upon my research the slot in the center of the Nav is for HFL. Is it true? If my EX already has HFL why does it not have the wire harness for this?

I've looked online for an actual harness and found this.

Looking at the wire, it doesn't seem like I can hook this up to anything huh? I mean, I can't wire this to the harness above (Metra 71-1729).

3. Let's say the radio works. If I get the Nav antenna will I need anything else to make it work?

http://estore.honda.com/honda/parts/show-block-image.asp?iid=14SZTB01&lid=SZT4B1121A

I know this is a lot of head ache instead of just getting an aftermarket Nav, but I really like the look of stock and want to keep my CRZ semi-stock.

What do you guys think?

Thanks for reading.

See less See more

1 - 20 of 20 Posts

supercrz

Discussion Starter · #2 · Apr 4, 2015

Reserved.

Aceryl

· #3 · Apr 4, 2015

In Theory, if you have all the materials, and a working NAV unit, there's no reason for not working.
Unless you'd need some kind of firmware update on your ECU, saying it's there? But nothing that a honda dealer couldn't answer you.

Try contacting them to see? Because if it's a green light, i know more will follow.
Also agreed on the Navi Looks

kaytwozero

· #4 · Apr 4, 2015

i am by no means an expert or knowledgeable in this area but iirc a mod like this is not simply plug n play. i believe you will need another harness or something. good luck. also btw, you know your speakers will not sound as good from the nav unit right? maybe while youre at this project you can get some more insight for us ex Nav-ers who have disappointing speaker output. please take pics and audio if possible of before and after install to document the differences. maybe we can make a case to honda at some point...good luck

bzrollin

· #5 · Apr 4, 2015

i can't find a reason why the nav wouldn't power up and make sound plugged into the factory ex harness. They're the same main plug for audio and power as far as I can tell. One of the problems lie in getting the hfl to work because of the different harnesses. I believe that could be accomplished by acquiring the correct plug and doing some repinning, but it may require more than that. Also you'll need the different audio input plug in the bottom of the console. And the extra steering wheel controls. And the voice controls, who knows what would take to get those working. The GPS antenna is literally the easiest part about this. It's one wire, and most aftermarket antennas share the same plug. You could use alpine or kenwood compatible antennas for sure.

Sure is a lot of work for a nav system that's far behind most aftermarket units in usability and features.

ITEM9

· #6 · Apr 5, 2015

A NAV conversion absolutely requires you to have a service manual with wiring diagrams/pinouts and I don't see you mentioning it... If you do have one, great, use it; if not, then get yourself one! Also, I am not surprised that nothing works when you plug it in; the NAV needs power to one of the pins (pin C4 "+B BACK UP") on the missing plug to turn on. When buying the NAV unit you should have gotten one with pigtails cut from the donor vehicle's wiring harness to get the missing plugs. It's very difficult to get the connectors and pins otherwise...

With that said... I have a complete set of connectors and pins that can make a conversion possible. They are the leftovers from my CR-V NAV reverse camera conversion. I paid a bit more for my CR-V NAV unit only because it had the pigtails with it. I can sell the connectors and pins, but I'll be looking to recover some of what I paid extra to get a NAV unit with pigtails, so it could get a little pricier than you'd expect them to be... PM me if you are interested.

I can also help you figure how it needs to get wired up if you need it. If you have the pinouts of both EX and EX NAV, it should be pretty easy to figure it out yourself though. Pinouts are in the Helm service manual and a PDF should be floating around the forum somewhere...

See less See more

supercrz

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 6, 2015

Thanks ITEM9 for your reply.
I don't have a service manual. I was just going to do this nilly willy. But I will still try to figure it out.

I just got this on ebay and assume that the radio would atleast work. I kinda figured that the nav needed its own power source.

I'll PM you.

Thanks!

kaytwozero

· #8 · Apr 6, 2015

I am glad to see you are set toward the route I would have advised you. item9 has appeared on Easter. coincidence? i think not lol

supercrz

Discussion Starter · #9 · May 11, 2015

2

These arrived today. A very big thanks to ITEM9 for these connectors. I just need to get the wiring and pins figured out.

I also have this, just need to learn to read this.

Hopefully this experiment will be successful. I'll keep you posted.

See less See more

kaytwozero

· #10 · May 11, 2015

you can do it!

CinCrz

· #11 · May 11, 2015

kaytwozero said:
you can do it!

Yeah good luck man! This will be a huge contribution to the forum of you can sort this out.

BlurpleFG1

· #12 · May 25, 2015

supercrz,

Where you able to figure out the wiring? If not, I'll be glad to help.

FWIW, the pic of the connector w/ blue background in your 1st post is from my 09 Civic.

supercrz

Discussion Starter · #13 · May 25, 2015

BlurpleFG1 said:
supercrz,

Where you able to figure out the wiring? If not, I'll be glad to help.

FWIW, the pic of the connector w/ blue background in your 1st post is from my 09 Civic.

I haven't had the chance to do anything with this because I've been too busy. The shop at work will be able to help me add the additional wiring to the connectors.

Yes, I'd gladly take your help. I need to start with the pin out configuration, then wiring them all together.

Thanks!

supercrz

Discussion Starter · #14 · May 29, 2015

2

Ok, I'm ready to work on this again.

So there's 2 wire harness both 24 pins. The one on the left is the main harness, and the pin configuration for it is probably this.

http://www.crzforum.com/forum/interior-ice-discussion/13977-radio-harness.html

CR-Z Canadian said:
Audio unit connector A, 24 pin (built in stereo amplifier type) Page 23-30:

A1 black ground for audio (G503)
A2 white detects illumination control signal
A3 pink b+ power supply
A5 grey left rear speaker signal+
A6 brown left rear speaker -
A7 blank
A8 blank
A9 blue right rear speaker output +
A10 orange right rear speaker -
A11 white ground for audio remote switch
A12 green security signal from MICU
A13 blue detects scan tool signal (serial data)
A14 blank
A15 lt blue output driver door speaker and left tweeter +
A16 grey driver door speaker and left tweeter-
A17 blank
A18 blank
A19 blue output passenger door and right tweeter +
A20 red output passenger door and right tweeter-
A21 blank
A22 pink detects voltage for audio remote switch
A23 blue inputs vehicle speed pulse from ECM/PCM
A24 purple power source for accessories

Is this the same pin configuration for the wire harness on the right? It is also 24 pin.

OR...

Per Item9's earlier post he said Connector C4 will power the wire harness. I've looked at other Honda OEM Nav and Connector C doesn't seem to be consistent with any of them.

See less See more

disconectar

· #15 · May 24, 2016

Page 23-42 to 23-44 on the manual show that the navi needs the external amp as the audio lines are all preamp level. This in itself isn't an issue as the cable for the amp is 100% reliant on the radio for everything from power to audio so it makes it simpler to add.

Adding connector "C" were you ever able to get the radio to power on? There's a ground on this too, so it would be prudent to connect this as well.

jcdagenais

· #16 · Jun 10, 2016

Any news ?

supercrz

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jun 22, 2016

disconectar said:
Page 23-42 to 23-44 on the manual show that the navi needs the external amp as the audio lines are all preamp level. This in itself isn't an issue as the cable for the amp is 100% reliant on the radio for everything from power to audio so it makes it simpler to add.

Adding connector "C" were you ever able to get the radio to power on? There's a ground on this too, so it would be prudent to connect this as well.

jcdagenais said:
Any news ?

I have not had the chance to work on this, due to work and no time to do further research on this. I still need to get the unit to power up.

But would still like to get this to work.

96firephoenix

· #18 · Nov 2, 2016

Still no updates?

supercrz

Discussion Starter · #19 · Nov 2, 2016

@96firephoenix, I've received some PM's from @disconectar about powering up the NAV but I haven't had the chance to look at it. Just busy with other things. I'll see what I can do to get this going.

Reactions: 3

MD Print

· #20 · Sep 29, 2017

i am in the same predicament, please help.:surprise:

1 - 20 of 20 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.