Stereo help

[Valerie]

I have a 2004 Honda Accord EX. The motor that ejects and loads CDs went out. I found a replacement stereo from a 2006 on ebay. After my stereo guy put the stereo in, the central air vents would not open. My stereo guy figured out the the sensor in the new stereo that makes those vents open was not working. He then took the new CD player from the 2006 and replaced my old one. However, now the CD player will load but won’t play. I get a “mechanical error” message. My stereo guy thinks that it may be because my stereo is CODE confused. Even though the entire unit is the original that came in my car, the CD player came out of the 2006 and the only :CODE the radio would allow to unlock the stereo was the code from the NEW unit. The original code would no longer work. So now that this novel is over, LOL (yes I’m such a girl) I have 2 questions:
1. Do you think this is a CODE issue or is there something else wrong with my original stereo and if so is there a solution?

AND

2. Is it possible to remove the part/sensor from my original unit that opens the vents and put it in the 2006? Both units have the dual air/heat control.

Thank you so much for any help/advice you have.

Blessings,

Valerie

Topic

[Wayne]

1. Yes and no. It likely needs a factory service level programmer to match your vehicle. You can get the new code necessary from your local HONDA dealer, as they can look it up for you from the head-unit’s serial #.
2. Not really no. The new head-unit sensor might have been fine, it just wasn’t programmed for your older vehicle’s micro-controller for that function. Might wish to run that by your audio guy.

Nearly all of the newer vehicles OEM head-units are CANBUS and often need a factory level programming tool to function properly.

Your best bet is to call around to a few HONDA dealers service department’s and ask what they’ll charge to program your setup properly. If it’s possible.

If I understand what you’re saying the new cd player with the old head-unit, may or may not work, but as it didn’t come with that older head-unit it’s generating that error. This can possibly be programmed at the dealer to funtion, you’d need to check with them first. You may be able to give your VIN, and the model code off the CD player to find out before bringing it to them.

[Valerie]

WOW this is REALLY complicated. The temperature control on my AC no longer works with the new CD player in. Feels like a total cluster “F”. I think I’m just gonna have my stereo guy put all my old parts back in and start over at the dealership. So do you think I can use the 2006 unit I bought or should I return it? Can I just purchase a CD player from the dealership?

Thanks

Val

[Wayne]

Dealerships don’t do secondhand anything to avoid issues, unless brought to them. If you get one from them it will be new, expensive, but warrantied for a period. I’d really just run the part #’s of the replacements you already got by them over the phone if you can first. It’s quite possible they’re/it’s fine, they just need programming for your vehicle.

You would have to run that by the parts/service department at the dealership as to if the 2006 is compatible or not, it might look exactly the same outside, but components might have shifted manufacturers, or undergone internal component revisions that cause issues with your older vehicle. If you can see the same part # listed on what you’re replacing compared to the old for each, minus revision codes, you’re good.

[BlackenZaib]

Honestly I would say F*** It and just buy a Aftermarket stereo. It would avoid all of this.

[Author]

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