JJB

yup, I noticed that too! But there was an extra wire in there (do not recall the function) that is un-used in my install (power antenna?) so I moved that one over to the dimmer wire location.

JDMstuff

The mysterious wire should be used to turn on the antenna amplifier on the P5. Have any of you noticed a drop in FM reception when installing a new stereo? If you have, then more than likely this is the wire that will help you. There is a similar wire in the Matrix, which is uses the same type of antenna on the roof.

JJB

I saw this whilst looking for another piece of information and it got me curious about it. So I went out and chased the co-ax wire all the way back from the antenna to the head unit... I could not locate and in-line amp of any sort... did I miss it?

hihoslva

Probably not. The infamous "green/black" wire's true purpose has not been discovered, to my knowledge, and I don't believe we have an antenna "booster" of any sort.

I specualted that if other vehicles use the same harness but have a power antenna (not a booster - motorized antenna) that maybe that's what it's for - also, possibly the remote turn-on lead for the amplified subwoofer in the MP3.

We may never know.......

~HH

DaleK

I will scope it out when I install my sub. I am using the scosche MA03B and MA03RB to splice an amp into the stock deck and wiring harness, and the infamous wire and the dimmer wire are missing, so I want to add them, and when I do that I will try and determine it the unknown wire is an input to or an output from the deck.

If anyone reading these posts has the service manuals for the cars, maybe they could look and see if the manual has this detail in the wiring diagrams?

Oh, BTW - I think only a few people on these forums have actually used line level converters and kept the stock deck with an amp and speakers added. I am pleased with the results so far (other than the mysterious wire), I am able to get plenty of clean output to feed into my amp (at least for my old ears )

Dale.

4 rubBeR

I cannot find info on the wiring harness your speaking of...do you have a link to the specific model of the LOC? How did you overcome the problem of a switchable lead to turn on your amp?

- Graham

DaleK

Hey Graham,

This is the LOC I used (they were what the shop where I went that was actually willing to source the Scosche harnesses for me without giving me attitude as that was all I was buying). The LOC company is called audiolink, but I think if you search around the web, there are other good ones as well, and higher end ones if you want ot spend more money Also, if you use RCAs with short connectors, 2 LOCs fit nicely inside the factory deck (the double din deck is only a single din chassis with enough space used to house the volume control, etc, so it is kind of hollow - if you have taken the deck out, you will know what I mean). I just zip tied the LOCs to the bottom of the deck.

Audio Link LOC

The wiring harnesses are not listed on Schosche's website yet (still...), so ask your stereo shop or call Scosche directly. These are available, and I have seen others refer to them as well.

For the amp remote turn on, all I did for now was put two wires on the ignition lead that goes to the deck. Not the best choice I know, but it will do for now until I decide on a better way (possibly find a point in/on the stereo that I can use to run a relay or direct to the remote lead). So far I don't detect any noise from the amp being on when the car is running and the stereo isn't on, but if I do I will have to change it. I initially tried using the antenna turn on lead, but of course, it turns off when you use the CD....

I will post any other info I find out about the stock deck. I have a meter at home and I have access to scopes here at work, so I may actually scope out all of the unused pins on the stereo connector (there are a few that don't appear on the factory wiring harness), and see if there are any better options. I also want to use the proper pins to attach the wires not in the Scosche harness, so if/when I do that I will post part numbers.

Gosh. my posts are getting longer.

Dale

4 rubBeR

I totally understand what you mean by attitude! I approached a stereo intall place in town here and explained that I am tired of having my car broken into because of my after-market deck and would like to keep the factory deck. They acted as if I was crazy! "The sound will suck...get a removable faceplate...etc" I've had three cars broken into and I'm convienced that its because of the deck.

I found a guy by the name of David Navone who makes his own LOCs; they are more expensive that the average LOC, but hopefully I'll have the same success as you!

To anyone that is interested, LOC

Thanks for your input!

btw...detail is never a bad thing!

Graham

Dave Cameron

David is a friend of mine- and he makes very nice stuff. He also has a great amp turn on/off unit that used the speaker out current.
His hardware is used in some nice, national level, competition car systems.
Good sound does take an investment, you are only as good as the weakest link in your system.

DaleK

Yeah - actually now that you said that, the guy that I talked to said that one of the best cars he has ever heard was the Focal reps', and he was using his factory deck as the source, with a simple speaker setup (fronts and sub only or something like that).

You definitely can get more with an aftermarket deck, but I shelled out for the in dash CD changer, and I like the look and ease of use of it, so it's staying!

Dale.

Dave Cameron

This seems to be an issue of that comes up a lot in post- the stock head unit will be a fine signal source. The CD is fine, and the FM is good. Attach to an amp and you will have a nice system. The stock systems weak point seems to be the amplification and more importantly, the speakers. You will be please with your set up using the stock headunit~

hihoslva

Although I never experienced any problems, I seem to remember numerous complaints about skipping CDs with the stock unit.

But it's been a while since anyone complained, I think - have the units fixed themselves?

~HH

sandman

Has there been any discoveries as to the purpose of the lime wire?

What does the Batt. Accessory wire (pink/black) do? Could this be used for the remote turn on wire?

chuck

I tested the theory of the LIME/BLACK wire.

It is used by our STOCK HEAD UNIT ONLY for dimming the lights. CAN NOT BE USED by any other AFTERMARKER units. THE DIMMER (white/black) wire is only used to tell the headunit that the lights are on and THATS IT.

I tested this with voltmeter and cutting the wires.