My 2003 Coupe 6MT has developed the apparently common problem where the radio (stock factory Clarion radio/6 CD/cassette) display will sometimes go blank. When that happens, the climate control system enters the "auto AC" mode, and neither the radio nor the climate control will respond to any input from the faceplate buttons. The radio WILL respond to the steering wheel controls, however. After a random period of time the radio display will light up again and everything will operate normally. It seems that most folks recommend replacing the stock radio with an aftermarket unit using the Metra trim kit which isolates the climate control from the radio. I am willing to put up with the radio blanking out, provided that the HVAC will continue to operate normally. Can I keep the factory radio and reinstall it with the Metra kit? If so, would the HVAC system then operate properly even when the radio malfunctions?

 

Even if the radio did function, the only radio controls you'll have are the steering wheel controls; you'd never be able to eject CDs, use presets or about a dozen other things that you need the faceplate for. Also, you'd have a chunk of metal that looks like this staring at you through a 7" hole in the dash:



Yes, it should work properly, since the replacement climate controls don't need anything from the radio.

Spend the extra $150 (or less) and get something like the Pioneer FH-X700BT instead of trying to keep your failing factory radio around.

 

if you are planning on throwing out your old HU give me a shout. I would be curious in looking at it and finding out what failed in it.

 

Thanks for the info. I failed to realize that the radio faceplate is part of the factory dash panel rather than part of the HU itself. I just ordered the Kenwood DPX500BT and required Metra trim panel and accessories from Crutchfield.

 

quanttrom,
I plan to keep the factory stereo and trim panel and offer them to the buyer if I ever decide to sell the car. Or maybe I'll sell them. They must be worth SOMETHING to somebody.

 

Does this cause the instrument panel to go dark because i have the bose and ive lost climaye instruments and stereo control

 

They don't work at all? Try rotating the switch near your left knee when your sitting in the drivers seat.

 

No they wrnt black & the radio & climate controls stopped too

 

If i get the metra kit will it reactivate my clumate & instrument lighting