2003.5 p5 stock radio questions/problems.
 

who is the maker of the stock radio with indash 6cd changer? is it panasonic like some of the early proteges had? also does anyone know if there is a way to add an additional input to the radio and be able to use the md/tape button to switch to it? to eplain a bit better i wanna hookup my portable mp3 player to the stock stereo and want to use the md/tape function of the radio to do it. i dont have either the md or tapdeck installed so that button does nothing currently.

http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/images/find.gif
:rolleyes:

I know im still a 'newb' around here..

but why don't you just invest in an aftermarket stereo?..
I'm sure even a cheap one will sound better than your stock HU
plus if you get it installed right, it will also look better...

Re: 2003.5 p5 stock radio questions/problems.
 

I am not positive about this, but I am not sure if you can go to the dealership and add stuff to your radio (like the cassette part where there is a blank panel there). Your best bet is to contact the dealer for options. As for the MD/Tape switch, I had that too, but no MD or changer in my car. I changed out the system, but you may be able to find another factory system at a junk yard or by contacting the dealership (which is a huge pain). As far as brand, I don't know what to tell you. I hear that Pioneer made the paper speakers with the whizzer tweeters in the middle. I wouldn't be surprised if they did the factory too. I know it is by no means as good as Pioneers head units are. Nothing wrong with keeping factory look and adding amps and speakers in the future.

MisterT

I don't think anyone has come up with a good way to add an aux input to the factory radio for things like MP3 players. Best solution I've seen is to use one of those cassette adapters, but you have to have the casette unit in the stereo for this to even be an option.

If this is really important, you're probably looking at an after market deck with an aux in.

A second option (kind of) is to burn CDs from your mp3s on a computer and use the CDRs in the 6 disk changer.

I have the standard factory single cd unit in my Protege and it does great with burned CDRs.

If you have the changer, this will give you about 6 hours of music, without repeating a song before you have to change disks. Might be the least expensive, easiest option.

Two things, there is a member selling his stock radio (ZoomZM) and secondly, if it doesn't have the features you want, post a thread under parts for sale/wanted and I am sure you will get a lot of hits there with people trying to get rid of their stock head units. Lastly, being stock, you should have some leeway for negotiating a good price.

MisterT

I am not looking to sell it. I just need to know a bit more about it and possibly modify it a bit. I know there is a place on this forum for selling stuff and if i would wanted to sell the radio i would post in there but i dont so i wont post in there.

I thought you wanted the tape section and that your unit didn't have one (which is why I suggested the thread), in case it is cheaper to buy a used factory head unit versus going to the dealership. I don't know anything about how to tie in a MP3 player and such. I just listen to the radio and CDs. Sir Nuke has a wealth of knowledge and may be able to help you out more. I believe he is using the factory HU in his car along with amps and aftermarket speakers.

MisterT

i got a rf transmitter that works on low freq fm stations from 88.1 to 88.7 and it works ok. not crystal clear but its the simplest way of getting my mp3 player to work on stock radio. batteries dont last for more than like 10 hours but who cares. i get them free at work :) i would like to somehow connect the rf transmitter straight to the antenna if i figure it out so i can get better sound.

Well, I have the 6cd changer, boston accoustics (tweeter/subs) and the amp
and man, that system rocks
true, adding the aftermarket head unit, that will add more juice
but, having the color scheme and the 6cd's at the touch of the button is worth sacraficing the after market HU

I needed RCA cables and some wires to connect from the stock HU to the amp.

But at the end, yes, it is possible to hook your amp to the stock head unit

Soon P5 is mine.....to answer your question, simply, I don't think so, those HU's are like the stock form, and those buttons are actually like pre wired to be used in the manufacturing for the "upper" models HU from the mazda/panasonic thing

do u understand me?:D

If you want to use 6 cd's and tape and radio......go with the mazda HU

if you want MP3, go ahead and buy the after market unit