Installed EXL 2019 head unit into 2020 LX. GPA Antenna and USB questions.

4930 Views 28 Replies 8 Participants Last post by eyenthesky, 2 mo ago

OH-Shawn

Discussion Starter · Jan 12, 2021

So, I bought a 2019 navi head unit from a junked EXL, and I installed it in my 2020 LX (which just has the base level radio/cd player). I have the anti-theft code from the junked car, so no issues there. I'm waiting on a Honda GPS antenna to arrive today or tomorrow. The diagnostics show the reverse camera working. I cant use the unit until I make the error about GPS go away.
Anyone have any experience installing the GPS antenna in the dashboard? Any tips on getting it in that tight space?

Also, my LX only has one (1) USB port in the lower dash, which checks out on the new head unit in the diagnostics, at least.
But, I'm not certain that port and cable behind it will support android auto.
Anyone want to weigh in on whether I can buy the two port dash plugin and the carplay/android cable to connect to the head unit? How do I figure out the part number for that? Or could I possibly move some of the wire ends in the plug into the radio and make it work without buying any new parts? Anyone have a wiring diagram for that USB cable?
Thanks to anyone who can help!

Reactions: 2

1 - 20 of 29 Posts

OH-Shawn

Discussion Starter · #2 · Jan 14, 2021

Ok, GPS antenna was a cinch to install, there's a spot for it right above the head unit once you pull it out. Two screws and it's in place. System is now up and running...except for android auto as expected. Anyone have any idea on the correct part number to buy or having a wiring diagram for the usb cable pinout?
Thanks

Reactions: 1

John35g

· #3 · Jan 14, 2021

OH-Shawn said:
Ok, GPS antenna was a cinch to install, there's a spot for it right above the head unit once you pull it out. Two screws and it's in place. System is now up and running...except for android auto as expected. Anyone have any idea on the correct part number to buy or having a wiring diagram for the usb cable pinout?
Thanks

you can buy an adapter - Crutchfield sells an adapter that allows the HONDA to USB plug if that is what you are looking for. it fits one but not both of the USB connectors.

See less See more

OH-Shawn

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 14, 2021

Yeah, unfortunately that is the connector I already have. I need the one that goes in the green slot. I guess I could buy the crutchfield one and then chop the left part off, it might work, who knows.

See less See more

Reactions: 1

OH-Shawn

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 14, 2021

And, also, new problem. The rear view camera works only in diagnostic mode, when you shift into reverse, it doesnt show up on the screen.

Reactions: 1

John35g

· #6 · Jan 14, 2021

OH-Shawn said:
Yeah, unfortunately that is the connector I already have. I need the one that goes in the green slot. I guess I could buy the crutchfield one and then chop the left part off, it might work, who knows.
View attachment 31180

on this forum - one guy modified his plug by shaving down those little "fingers" in the plug, and says it worked.

John35g

· #7 · Jan 14, 2021

Sorry - i cannot find his pictures to show what he did- basically filed down the ridges/fingers on the female portion of the plug.

OH-Shawn

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jan 14, 2021

John35g said:
Sorry - i cannot find his pictures to show what he did- basically filed down the ridges/fingers on the female portion of the plug.

Thanks, I reached out to 4 different Honda parts departments and none of them can tell me the difference between the two parts, so I think I'll do what you suggest and just move on!

OH-Shawn

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jan 14, 2021

Like the title says, when I go in reverse the camera doesn't come on. When I go into diagnostics the rear camera is checked as green and I can even view the live camera feed.
Any idea what to troubleshoot? Anyone know which sensor tells the head unit you are in reverse?
Car status in Diagnostics says Reverse is 0, I have no idea what that means.
I've done a full factory reset on this head unit and I called Honda Technology Support North America and they said they couldn't troubleshoot this issue over the phone.

Carbuff2

· #10 · Jan 14, 2021

You forgot to mention that you are installing the high-end OEM headunit in your LX. That might make a difference in the signal input line position.

I don't have a wiring diagram so I can't help you.

Hadleys Taxi

· #11 · Jan 15, 2021

I don't have the reversing camera, but I do have front and rear parking sensors. On my non Navi* Honda Connect with the 7" colour touchscreen, both that screen and the right hand display in the dash show an image of the car when I select reverse. Which leads me to suspect there must be a switch or a sender unit near the gear stick which informs the head unit (and right hand dash screen) to display the parking sensor information. As soon as I come out of reverse it reverts back to normal.

It may be worth asking a Honda tech where this switch is.

HTH.

Regards,

HT

*although I don't have inbuilt navigation, I do have factory fitted GPS in the shark fin aerial. When I use my mobile as a wi-fi hotspot it updates the inbuilt Honda fuel and parking apps. So I know there are places nearby where I can park and buy petrol and how much it costs, just not how to bloody get there!

OH-Shawn

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jan 21, 2021

So, bought access to the Honda SIS for a day and found the answer. In the 32 wire connector in the audio harness, pin 15 sends the signal to the 7" EXL radio. In the LX 5" head unit, that signal comes from the CAN BUS, somehow.
So, I found where wire 15 comes from, the IG1 Diode 2P that is just to the left of the steering column behind the dash gauges. Honda SIS gives me step by step directions for removing the dash cluster and then I can run a wire form that diode over to the stereo and pin it into 15, and voila, I should get a rear camera when I shift to R. Probably. We'll find out once I try it this weekend. Thanks to everyone who gave advice.

Reactions: 1

OH-Shawn

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jan 23, 2021

Carbuff2 said:
You forgot to mention that you are installing the high-end OEM headunit in your LX. That might make a difference in the signal input line position.

I don't have a wiring diagram so I can't help you.

If I have the wiring diagrams and posted them would you want to see them? I'm pretty sure the LX gets its reverse trigger from the canbus and the EXL gets it from a wire connected to a reverse system diode in the dash. That diode exists in the LX, so I'm wondering if I can run a wire from it to the head unit for the trigger.

OH-Shawn

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jan 23, 2021

John35g said:
on this forum - one guy modified his plug by shaving down those little "fingers" in the plug, and says it worked.

If you can find that it would be great. I tried shaving it down to fit but it doesn't work. I've ordered the actual cable but it won't be here for a few more days at least.

John35g

· #15 · Jan 25, 2021

OH-Shawn said:
If you can find that it would be great. I tried shaving it down to fit but it doesn't work. I've ordered the actual cable but it won't be here for a few more days at least.

I bought my setup from crutchfield and showed up over the weekend- the cable i have seems to be square with no fingers etc. - almost as if they modified it to fit both ?? Hope to see when i do the install soon.

OH-Shawn

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jan 25, 2021

John35g said:
I bought my setup from crutchfield and showed up over the weekend- the cable i have seems to be square with no fingers etc. - almost as if they modified it to fit both ?? Hope to see when i do the install soon.

I'm interested as well, let me know. I've ordered the part from Honda 5 days ago, but it hasnt even shipped yet.

Reactions: 1

John35g

· #17 · Jan 25, 2021

OH-Shawn said:
I'm interested as well, let me know. I've ordered the part from Honda 5 days ago, but it hasnt even shipped yet.

www.hrvforum.com

Head unit replacement DONE!

Hi, First of all I want to say thank you so much to all contributor of this forum that permitted me to step over from I would like to change to I change my head unit ! Second point, sorry for my english but I'm french ! I purchased model PX6 4/64 CANBUS and I also purchased an external mic and...

www.hrvforum.com

www.hrvforum.com

OH-Shawn

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jan 25, 2021

John35g said:
Head unit replacement DONE!

Hi, First of all I want to say thank you so much to all contributor of this forum that permitted me to step over from I would like to change to I change my head unit ! Second point, sorry for my english but I'm french ! I purchased model PX6 4/64 CANBUS and I also purchased an external mic and...

www.hrvforum.com

ok, cool what he did, and I did something similar with the USB cable in my car, but he's putting in an aftermarket head unit. I'm putting in an OEM Honda head unit, its just from a different year/model Honda then mine. My cable shipped today, the one thats supposed to allow android auto, so we'll see what happens when I plug it in later this week. <fingers crossed>
Other good news is I have all the parts to run the trigger for my reverse camera now, just need the time to do it. Story of my life.

Reactions: 1

dzf1

· #19 · Jan 27, 2021

I retrofitted a factory EX-L head unit with the separate satellite radio module into my LX a couple of years ago. It was a big pain in the butt and I wouldn't do it again if I knew what was involved ahead of time. I don't recall all the details to help much, but it required running many wires, incl to the steering column area and ECM. Getting connectors and harness pieces required going to salvage yards. I remember having to pick up a resistor at a Radio Shack-type place that had to be installed into the wiring. Everything works fine now and the only sign of it not being original to the car is if I go into the head unit troubleshooting menu system and run a check, it will come back with issues in the circuit for the side view camera (which I didn't install) and the climate control system, because that is still manual. Those do not manifest in any trouble codes or user identifiable issues. Good luck with it

OH-Shawn

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jan 28, 2021

Thanks. I'm getting the same errors for A/C and the lane watch cameras, but doesn't affect anything and doesn't show up on my OBD scanner, so not worried about those.
I am running a wire from under the dash to the radio to get the reverse trigger signal, so the backup camera will come on when I backup, that's a pain but worth it. Fortunately, all my steering wheel controls are working. So far no luck with android auto. I have the Honda 1.5amp smartphone usb assembly installed, and the radio sees my phone in the diagnostics, but no AA. That sucks bc it's the whole reason I upgraded. I'm trying an OEM USB cable this weekend I ordered from Motorola (my original cable for this phone is USB C on both ends, which won't plug into the car, been using an anker cable instead). Hoping the oem cable will perform a miracle. Have two can bus errors I might fix related to ACC, which would require me to run a wire into the steering wheel ignition, not going to do it if I can avoid it. In hindsight, I should have bought from Crutchfield and I would be enjoying Android Auto already. I like to tinker, but this is no longer fun, just exasperating.

See less See more

Reactions: 1

1 - 20 of 29 Posts