Installing new HU, any special considerations?

[Jenn]

So I called Mazda Canada to see why it's taking so damn long to get me a new deck, and apparently after 1 month (the amount of time I was told it would take to get it), it's still backordered. And now I'm told it can take 2-3 months...WTF

So when I get home I'm ripping the broken one out of my car and putting in the pioneer premier.

Anything I should look out for on the install? I bought the harness adapter and have it wired together. Any other special considerations? Anything to do with ground?

[Jenn]

Come on, I know some of you have put in different decks!

[msp35]

The stealer may just decide not to warranty it if you change it now....other than that, it's pretty straight forward.
oh, and you'll probably never receive a new Kenwood KDC-mp919 as they are discontinued IIRC. Maybe try to work a deal with the service dept to have them buy you another HU.

[MrDiggler]

There's nothing really special about it. Mine was pretty simple to change out.

[chuyler1]

I would talk with the dealership and see if you can get a voucher for the value of the unit. Tell them to cut the B.S. and that you can't be expected to drive for months without a radio. If they don't budge, tell them you will be contacting Mazda corporate and plan to file a formal complaint against them. That will get their ass in gear.

As for replacing the unit, The opening without the radio pocket is a double din so just about any radio will fit. The only ones you have to worry about are the flip-out screen models because they tend to be very deep.

I recommend buying from Crutchfield.com if you plan to install it yourself. They will send you the wiring harness and a detailed installation sheet for no additional cost. It's only a matter of splicing a few wires on a harness and sliding it into the right spot.

[Jenn]

I have a deck at home, a pioneer premier mp3. I bought a harness and spliced it together.

When I went to plug it all in last time, it wouldn't turn on (I know it worked when it came out of my old car), and then my door locks and alarm wouldn't work, then they went nuts when I put the old kenwood back in, so I'm a little scared to try again.

Apparently, the head units are on backorder (and I've heard they're refurbs), and Mazda Canada customer care told me to wait another few weeks and stay in touch with the parts manager. I should also mention that my local dealership would be better run by trained monkeys so I doubt they'll do anything to get me another deck in a reasonable amount of time.

[msp35]

Okay, so just ask them....."Did my car come originally with a refurbished head unit?" Obviously not, so why should they expect you to be happy with a rebuilt p.o.s. that will just fail again in 3 months. Push for the voucher idea, even if you have another HU ready to go.

[Jenn]

Okay, so just ask them....."Did my car come originally with a refurbished head unit?" Obviously not, so why should they expect you to be happy with a rebuilt p.o.s. that will just fail again in 3 months. Push for the voucher idea, even if you have another HU ready to go.

So Mazda Canada has told me that it's a no-go on anything other than waiting for the part to come in. Bastards.

And they said call my dealership to verify if it's a refurb (which I think it likely is and have heard it is). Apparently the dealers deal directly with Kenwood on this.

[Jenn]

Oh and they also told me if I get pissed off and tired of waiting and put in something else, the warranty is void on the rest of my audio system as well.

So now it looks like I get to wait 2-3 months to have a radio again.

[chuyler1]

Its only void on the rest of your audio system if they find out you replaced it. As long as you take your car into the dealer with the factory radio, they have no way of knowing that you have been using an aftermarket unit for several months. When you get the new unit, sell it on eBay (or sell the one you've got).