My CD player no longer functions. I bought a used stock radio (I know, but I love the way it looks on the dashboard) exactly like my old one. Is swapping it out a DIY project? I know I need to remove the panel under the radio and there are clips that hold the radio in that are accessed through the upper compartment. Other than that is it just a matter of switching the wires?
Sort of like plugging in a new hard drive on a PC? Do I need to disconnect the battery or can I just pull the fuse? My local dealer would charge $100 to change it out. What do you think?

 

you dont have to disconnect the battery, just leave the car off of course. if u bought the same radio, yes it's a straight swap like plugging in a hard drive. just unplug and make sure you re-plug everything into the new one, should be an antenna input and prob just one harness

def a DIY project, save the $100 for maintenance

 

make sure you have the code for the new radio

 

DO disconnect the battery. Avoid blowing fuses or damaging the radio or other car electronics. Would you install internal PC components without powering down and unplugging? Modern cars are a set of networked control units, each with more processing power than the first PCs.

As far as yanking the radio, here's Honda's service guide. It's specific to adding a USB adapter, but gives full instructions. Be sure to cover nearby surfaces with masking tape to avoid scratches. It helps if you have an assistant to hold the radio while you disconnect it. There's a positive latch on the main electrical bus on the back that requires unlatching. The other connections just pull out.

Link to service guide.

Link to pics when I pulled mine.


Oh and yeah, make sure you have the security code.

 

Thanks for the info and those pictures. I have the code and am hoping to borrow a garage so I don't need to do it outside. I just have one question for Steve244. Did your fit not have a USB port or did it fail? Just curious. Is yours a base? Learning more about my car all the time, I truly love it!
Thanks so much, again.

 

Does your old radio still work at all? Does the LCD light up and can the radio play tunes? If it works I am interested to buy the old one from you. I'd like to do a project but need to get an old one to test on it, before I do it on my radio and possibly mess it up. Send me a private message.
Thanks.

 

Just replied to your PM. Hope it worked.

 

One last question (I hope). When I re-connect the battery do I need to do anything else? I read some info about other settings for the car to run right. Do I need to go to the dealer for this? Or am I making something out of nothing.

 

Base Fits before 2011 (I think) did not have a USB port. But they're USB port ready, just requires buying, plugging in the electronic module and running the cable through the upper glove box.

The radio code is all you have to worry about, otherwise people would have to go the dealer every time they ran down the battery leaving their lights on.

It will clear the short term memory in your car's computer so if you have an emissions test coming up (only major metro areas and CA have this) you'll need to drive it a couple weeks first or it'll fail for lack of data.

Edit, if the radio you're taking out has the USB module, that's worth probably $50 or more on Ebay.