[WiiMaster]

I know @ehowland and others have asked about this in the past, they may find this interesting:

After recently installing an Android headunit in my Accord, I felt inspired to upgrade the radio in my Ody too. GTA Car Kits was too expensive, so I decided to spring for one of those $50 Amazon modules + a Y-cable so I could keep the cassette player. The added benefit of getting this module is it supports USB for playing audio too, not just charging like the GTA module.

This is the one I got:

Amazon.com: Bluetooth Car Kit, 3 in 1 Car Audio Input Adapter with AUX USB Bluetooth for Honda Accord Civic CRV Odyssey Fit Pilot Element Ridgeline Acura MDX TSX CSX : Electronics

Buy Bluetooth Car Kit, 3 in 1 Car Audio Input Adapter with AUX USB Bluetooth for Honda Accord Civic CRV Odyssey Fit Pilot Element Ridgeline Acura MDX TSX CSX: Bluetooth Car Kits - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

And this is the Y-cable:

Amazon.com: RED WOLF Car CD Changer Interface Player Adapter Head Unit Stereo Y-Splitter Cable Plug Navigation Y- Wiring Harness Replacement for Honda Accord Civic Acura : Electronics

Buy RED WOLF Car CD Changer Interface Player Adapter Head Unit Stereo Y-Splitter Cable Plug Navigation Y- Wiring Harness Replacement for Honda Accord Civic Acura: Radio Wiring Harnesses - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

And so out came my radio for the first time since it was at the dealer back in 2006:
View attachment 176180

I actually had to go out and buy a 6 inch extension so that my socket could reach the center radio bolt that is recessed quite far back.


Unsurprisingly, the cassette player took up the auxiliary port, so I disconnected it, plugged in the Y-cable, then plugged in the cassette player and the new module into the other ends of the Y-cable.

Before running the microphone, I tested it out. It sounds really good on Bluetooth and AUX, especially considering it's not a name brand like GTA Car Kits:
View attachment 176181

Works great with steering wheel controls as well.

The last thing I did before buttoning it up was wire the microphone. My initial plan was to set the microphone on the A pillar like most installs, but I found that if I did that and attempted to run the mic wire to the module that I fished to the lower glove box (I did this since I didn't have the center pocket where the cassette player is and I wanted to have access to the USB port to plug flash drive sin), the wire didn't have the length. So instead, I mounted it on the steering wheel plastic in between the wiper and turn signal stalk. That gave me the length needed.

By the way, in the GTA installation video where they show how to get the mic wire inside the dashboard, IT IS NOT THAT EASY. The gap between the dashboard and body that they show is not as wide as you think, and reaching in the A/C vent area to grab the wire is difficult because of various metal pieces that get in your way. I definitely cut some of my fingers trying before changing locations.

Anyway, once I had it all together I also tested Bluetooth calls, and that sounds great too.

While attempting to reinstall the radio, I dropped the center recessed bolt into the abyss between the two A/C vents and I wasn't able to retrieve it, so I only used the outer two bolts, which seem to hold the radio in well enough. I gave it some firm pulls and couldn't get it to come out, so I think it will be fine. The silver panel overlaps it anyway.

Overall, for around $70, I'm quite happy with it. It's not Android Auto, but now it feels like I have a 2010 or 2011 instead of a 2006.

I forgot to mention that before taking the dash panel off, I checked to make sure all the climate control lightbulbs were in working condition since I have replacements lying around and there's no better time to replace them than when the panel is already off. But in my case, they were all working fine, including the one that I replaced last year.

 

[CraigInNC]

I considered upgrading to a snazzy floating touch screen head unit like newer vehicles have but after thinking things through I elected to stay with the factory unit. The only thing I really use the radio for is for XM feature since I have SiriusXM service. I was told by Crutchfield that I would lose the factory antenna and would have to put one of those corded antennas somewhere on the dash. It is not worth spending $800 for a fancy head unit to do what I am doing now. I have a FM transmitter plugged into the power port that handles the Bluetooth and doubles as a 3.0 OBD fast charger. My van has the 7 speaker system with the subwoofer under the seat it sounds pretty good for what it is. I guess maybe I am too young I can't imagine using cassettes.

 

[nunecoco12345]

Added half a quart of 5w 20 three days ago. To my surprise, the blue smoke of (fast or slow) death came out of the exhaust tube. I guess it's fair enough. Vehicle now reached 270,000 miles. This smoke comes out once in a while especially when engine is at idle.

 

[BertS]

Just completed a 3000+ mile road trip over 10 days in my Odyssey from the Dallas area to Arizona to Port Aransas, TX and back home. Stopped at the Petrified Forest National Park, stayed 3 nights in Sedona, AZ, went to the Grand Canyon, Carlsbad Caverns, and saw some sites in San Antonio. Odyssey now has over 195K miles on it.

 

[WiiMaster]

I considered upgrading to a snazzy floating touch screen head unit like newer vehicles have but after thinking things through I elected to stay with the factory unit. The only thing I really use the radio for is for XM feature since I have SiriusXM service. I was told by Crutchfield that I would lose the factory antenna and would have to put one of those corded antennas somewhere on the dash. It is not worth spending $800 for a fancy head unit to do what I am doing now. I have a FM transmitter plugged into the power port that handles the Bluetooth and doubles as a 3.0 OBD fast charger. My van has the 7 speaker system with the subwoofer under the seat it sounds pretty good for what it is. I guess maybe I am too young I can't imagine using cassettes.

It's technically possible to get the best of both worlds, having a touchscreen unit take up the top radio space while still maintaining the factory radio in that space underneath the climate control buttons.

 

[WiiMaster]

Just completed a 3000+ mile road trip over 10 days in my Odyssey from the Dallas area to Arizona to Port Aransas, TX and back home. Stopped at the Petrified Forest National Park, stayed 3 nights in Sedona, AZ, went to the Grand Canyon, Carlsbad Caverns, and saw some sites in San Antonio. Odyssey now has over 195K miles on it.

Sounds fun. It's been a number of years since I last from Dallas to the Grand Canyon, I may go back at some point. I did at one point drive from here to LA, making stops in Abilene and the Phoenix area.

 

[WiiMaster]

Added half a quart of 5w 20 three days ago. To my surprise, the blue smoke of (fast or slow) death came out of the exhaust tube. I guess it's fair enough. Vehicle now reached 270,000 miles. This smoke comes out once in a while especially when engine is at idle.

Often this is a sign of valve stem seal issues.

 

[HondaGoBrrr]

I found one of the last remaining old stock of mud flaps for a 3rd gen, had them shipped from a dealer back east. Sealed in the bag, got to remember what 2009 smelled like when I opened the bag.

There are formally discontinued by Honda but the dealer let me buy them out and got them by Fedex three days later. Just waiting for some touch up paint to come off of back order for that scratch on the door, still no idea what caused that to happen.

 

[nunecoco12345]

Often this is a sign of valve stem seal issues.

Good relief. The maroon family and stuff mover still keeps running.

 

[WiiMaster]

I found one of the last remaining old stock of mud flaps for a 3rd gen, had them shipped from a dealer back east. Sealed in the bag, got to remember what 2009 smelled like when I opened the bag.

You wouldn't happen to know where I could get one of those screws would you? I asked one of my local dealers many years ago and they told me I could grab them at a whopping $6/each.

 

[HondaGoBrrr]

90114-SZ3-000 comes with the install kit, there were 6 in the package. MSRP is $5.57 each, available through normal ordering channels

 

[WiiMaster]

90114-SZ3-000 comes with the install kit, there were 6 in the package. MSRP is $5.57 each, available through normal ordering channels

I guess I shouldn't be surprised they're that price. I'll have to see if I can find some, I guess. The reason I need one is one of mine went missing, I suspect a certain national body shop chain that I won't name had something to do with it.

 

[HondaGoBrrr]

They looked like a coarse thread, M5-20 from the Honda notes, I wouldn't be surprised if a local hardware store had something similar, maybe take a sample and match it.

 

[JQUILANTANG]

I like that color. 👍🏽

 

[ehowland]

I know @ehowland and others have asked about this in the past, they may find this interesting:

After recently installing an Android headunit in my Accord, I felt inspired to upgrade the radio in my Ody too. GTA Car Kits was too expensive, so I decided to spring for one of those $50 Amazon modules + a Y-cable so I could keep the cassette player. The added benefit of getting this module is it supports USB for playing audio too, not just charging like the GTA module.

This is the one I got:

Amazon.com: Bluetooth Car Kit, 3 in 1 Car Audio Input Adapter with AUX USB Bluetooth for Honda Accord Civic CRV Odyssey Fit Pilot Element Ridgeline Acura MDX TSX CSX : Electronics

Buy Bluetooth Car Kit, 3 in 1 Car Audio Input Adapter with AUX USB Bluetooth for Honda Accord Civic CRV Odyssey Fit Pilot Element Ridgeline Acura MDX TSX CSX: Bluetooth Car Kits - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

And this is the Y-cable:

Amazon.com: RED WOLF Car CD Changer Interface Player Adapter Head Unit Stereo Y-Splitter Cable Plug Navigation Y- Wiring Harness Replacement for Honda Accord Civic Acura : Electronics

Buy RED WOLF Car CD Changer Interface Player Adapter Head Unit Stereo Y-Splitter Cable Plug Navigation Y- Wiring Harness Replacement for Honda Accord Civic Acura: Radio Wiring Harnesses - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

And so out came my radio for the first time since it was at the dealer back in 2006:
View attachment 176180

I actually had to go out and buy a 6 inch extension so that my socket could reach the center radio bolt that is recessed quite far back.


Unsurprisingly, the cassette player took up the auxiliary port, so I disconnected it, plugged in the Y-cable, then plugged in the cassette player and the new module into the other ends of the Y-cable.

Before running the microphone, I tested it out. It sounds really good on Bluetooth and AUX, especially considering it's not a name brand like GTA Car Kits:
View attachment 176181

Works great with steering wheel controls as well.

The last thing I did before buttoning it up was wire the microphone. My initial plan was to set the microphone on the A pillar like most installs, but I found that if I did that and attempted to run the mic wire to the module that I fished to the lower glove box (I did this since I didn't have the center pocket where the cassette player is and I wanted to have access to the USB port to plug flash drive sin), the wire didn't have the length. So instead, I mounted it on the steering wheel plastic in between the wiper and turn signal stalk. That gave me the length needed.

By the way, in the GTA installation video where they show how to get the mic wire inside the dashboard, IT IS NOT THAT EASY. The gap between the dashboard and body that they show is not as wide as you think, and reaching in the A/C vent area to grab the wire is difficult because of various metal pieces that get in your way. I definitely cut some of my fingers trying before changing locations.

Anyway, once I had it all together I also tested Bluetooth calls, and that sounds great too.

While attempting to reinstall the radio, I dropped the center recessed bolt into the abyss between the two A/C vents and I wasn't able to retrieve it, so I only used the outer two bolts, which seem to hold the radio in well enough. I gave it some firm pulls and couldn't get it to come out, so I think it will be fine. The silver panel overlaps it anyway.

Overall, for around $70, I'm quite happy with it. It's not Android Auto, but now it feels like I have a 2010 or 2011 instead of a 2006.

Question Wii Master... BEFORE the kit and Y cable (GTA brand) it was DEAD quite between tracks on CDs. Now there is a SLIGHT hiss (most would not even notice it) I use bluetooth Google Maps, podcasts or audiobooks on long drives, so having that ability now over radio IMO outweighs the TINY drop in quality in CD silence. I just wondered of yours does it, Kind of like the slight hiss of a silent part of a tape. If I knew rapping y cable in foil to insulate it from electric noise would help I would do it. AGAIN this is VERY SLIGHT, If I unplug the GTA kit (Y cable) no noise. I was kinda irked at first, but decided the new ability outweighs the noise and I almost never play CDs anymore now anyway.

 

[WiiMaster]

Question Wii Master... BEFORE the kit and Y cable (GTA brand) it was DEAD quite between tracks on CDs. Now there is a SLIGHT hiss (most would not even notice it) I use bluetooth Google Maps, podcasts or audiobooks on long drives, so having that ability now over radio IMO outweighs the TINY drop in quality in CD silence. I just wondered of yours does it, Kind of like the slight hiss of a silent part of a tape. If I knew rapping y cable in foil to insulate it from electric noise would help I would do it. AGAIN this is VERY SLIGHT, If I unplug the GTA kit (Y cable) no noise. I was kinda irked at first, but decided the new ability outweighs the noise and I almost never play CDs anymore now anyway.

I do get a slight hiss as well when in either the tape mode or the new kit mode when there is nothing playing. From what I understand it's ground loop noise since both devices connected in the Y cable are being powered by the same source. Completely unnoticeable when there's audio playing so I really don't care.

 

[DTO]

I know there's been one or two threads like this in the past, but they seem to be abandoned. I want to try and keep this going, even if I have to do it myself.

Show us what you did to your 3rd gen Odyssey today. Descriptions, pictures, etc.

I finally got new tires today (well technically yesterday, but whatever). I went with the Continental Control Contact Tour A/S Plus from Discount Tire. Hopefully these will last me longer than the less than 30k miles I got on my last set, the Bridgestone Ecopia EP422+.

"Did" is a strong word since my mechanic did it, but I needed my old workhorse 2006 fixed up before I had surgery (it's more comfortable and higher than my daily driver Mazda 6). Did the wheel bearings, transmission fluid change (drain & fill * 3), seat belt buckle and airbag sensor, serpentine belt, and unstuck the driver's side sliding door (didn't need any parts, but instead a complete disassembly and lubrication).

 

[ehowland]

I do get a slight hiss as well when in either the tape mode or the new kit mode when there is nothing playing. From what I understand it's ground loop noise since both devices connected in the Y cable are being powered by the same source. Completely unnoticeable when there's audio playing so I really don't care.

Totally Agree with you. I just wondered if a ground resister placed on a certain wire would eliminate, or foil wrap some cable. Again not worth much effort (minimal really)_unless I knew it would work. Hearing yours does same thing is nice, bummed me out intially (I was like do I have a defective unit or did I do it wrong)

 

[ehowland]

"Did" is a strong word since my mechanic did it, but I needed my old workhorse 2006 fixed up before I had surgery (it's more comfortable and higher than my daily driver Mazda 6). Did the wheel bearings, transmission fluid change (drain & fill * 3), seat belt buckle and airbag sensor, serpentine belt, and unstuck the driver's side sliding door (didn't need any parts, but instead a complete disassembly and lubrication).

Front wheel bearings or rear? (Front a bear of a job I had dealer do). If they were bolt on like old ones (in the past) I would have done, but the fronts are a PITA press into knuckle. If front you did not mention alignment, in almost every scenario you need an alignment (unless they pressed them out/in in car, and did not remove knuckle, no easy feat). I am a do it yourselfer on most stuff but that is too much hassle. I watched a you tube video on process and said "I'm out" when I saw what a PITA it is. Also most cars you will only do it ONCE ever, so not going to tool up for that! Timing belt similar, once every 7-10 years? I am not going to tool up and if you screw up you total engine. I Am sure I could do it but no thanks... Not worth it... to save a little.

 

[kernel]

My sliding door started acting up this winter. As the weather warmed up, the door started to behave- for a while. Today I pulled off the panel to check the condition of my rollers. I think I found the problem:

I fixed this about 6 years ago, replacing one damaged roller using the $5 fix referenced in the sliding door mega-thread. Now it's time to change out the remaining 15 year old roller.