RX-8 Aftermarket Headunit Without Metra Kit

Was initially thought this was another plug and play android player. However, once i installed i discovered that my aircon stopped working. Having check out the forum it seems that you must include the old circuit board/headunit in order for the aircon to continue working. But the metra kit is too expensive and thus this is the alternative way around. Beware that this took me 2 whole days to do it, and thus it is not an easy project.

Android player with aftermarket casing. I use this player but I don't find it very good. Its very laggy.

https://shopee.com.my/-%F0%9F%8E%81FOC-Camera-Mazda-RX8-2008-2012-Casing-9-with-Android-player-QLED-Android-Auto-Carplay-i.115959142.19619901527?sp_atk=7fde16dc-476b-4320-8819-ff163a539193&xptdk=7fde16dc-476b-4320-8819-ff163a539193

Basic Tools: Soldering Iron, Solder sucker, wire cutter, plier, screwdriver, crimping tool

Consumables: T joint splitter, crimp

I didn't managed to take picture of this step. But you may find a lot of videos on YouTube on how to disassemble your old radio. Attached a link for your reference:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG77cRRaWPM

At this step you may start to modify your provided wiring connector (new) to the existing wiring connector(Rx8). This step took me some trials and error. No need to worry about the aircon first. We will focus on making sure the new android player works with the old harness at this step.

1. See first picture. Remove this connector because this plugs to the old connector. We will tap the signal/power from the old connector instead
2. See second picture. Start chopping off the wirings from the new connector. MUST remember where the new wires connect to. At the end the red connector will not be used.
3. Refer to my wiring diagram if you need. Please note that I am not using OEM Bose speaker anymore. My previous owner has swapped this out. So if you're using Bose Speaker u may unable to use my wiring diagram. Because I'm not sure how Bose speaker wiring works.

1. Start to disassemble the headunit, circuit board and aircon. You should be left with just the old radio.
2. Remove the CD player (Top part) ONLY from the headunit. This will free up space for your wiring later.

Using your soldering gun and sucker. Remove these 3 potentiometer. These 3 potentiometer will block you if u try to install this board. This circuit board is needed for your aircon control. But potentiometer is not needed for radio anymore.

Assemble everything back in this order. The circuit board will sandwich between new player and old headunit. Just like how it is positioned when you take out. Also connect everything within this headunit together first. Aircon control to the circuit board etc....

See second picture, you can see how the wiring come out from the space you removed the cd player. These connector will connect to the J701 connector when we put in back into the dashboard.

As I am using T joint quick splice, I have everything crimped up and ready to plug in. If you are using twist and turn then its a lot of difficulty wiring it when you put this back in.

Also put your hazard button back. Its an easy job with 2 screws and some trimming for me as the case did not fit.