Hey all..... so today I was transferring over the dual zone button to the JDM double din kit... I de-sodered one of these buttons off the old stock board and tried soldering it up to the HVAC control that came with the JDM double din kit. It lights up fine but when I press it.. nothing. Just a bad solder job or is there something more to it? Thanks for any tips... I admit, I am not a good solderer, last time I soldered anything was like 12 years ago. hahaa.

 

I was careful when removing it from the other board to keep it in the same direction in case there is a positive and negative side to these buttons... I dont know. Pretty clueless on what I could be doing wrong?

 

Lol that solder job tho.....

 

Man, take more time and use proper tools soldering. That's probably your issue.

 

Yeah, it looks like you are using a roofing iron! They come in different sizes; choose the right tool for the job, always.

 

Bad solder job is an understatement. Hopefully you didn't ruin that PCB.

 

Thanks guys. Yeah, I had a wide solder iron. I looked, I see something called Solder wick so I ordered some of that and a much better solder iron for the job. They will be here tomorrow and I will see if I can get that solder off and try with the proper solder iron. Could I of fried/ burnt something on that dual zone section of the board and permanently damaged it? or does that not really happen on boards?

 

I dont see anything close enough that I think would get damaged from your solder job.

But yeah, wick all that crap off. Then solder again nicely.

 

Just an update, dual zone works perfect. Anyone who comes across this post looking up how to pop in the dual zone on the double din kit, its easy. Careful with the buttons, they have two "clips" or Ill call them "posts" and one on the other side of the button. Gently use a flat head to gently pop them out and put it in the new HVAC control. Careful... try popping out some of the other buttons first so if you break one its ok. Then do the dual zone. When soldering, use a board solder iron, one that should have an almost ball point pen tip to it. You'll be set then. Glad this board was able to take a beating and not be damaged.

 

Dude! Well done! REALLY!

I only just bumped into this post but from the picture you posted, I honestly thought you had toasted that board! I'm glad you managed to recover!
I finally had enough and JUST spent over $400 ($390 + $15 shipping!) on my JDM DD kit from "ConceptZperformance" (with dual A/C control) but they say the button won't work anyway(!?), so I may have to take on the same project soon? I haven't received it yet but I'm REALLY hoping I don't have to do that! ;-)

BTW: I'm guessing you have an 05-07 model? So you now have proper/correct (as per OEM) dual control?

Thx for posting, bud.

 

Hey.. good luck, I hope the dual zone works out of the box. I didnt even know they had one.

Long story short, this JDM kit was nothing but a waste of money and time for me. I picked up the Pioneer 4500NEX that has the adjustable and removable screen (plus the DVD, CD and memory stick are behind the screen so it needs to fold down on the motorized face). Well, the gap sucks on the JDM kit. I mean really sucks! So I drilled out the metal cage from the car, that made it a hassle to get it totally flush and level perfect. Then I was faced with cutting plastic trim and CA gluing it to the frame because the gap with the JDM kit totally sucks. It's huge. With the motorized screen, that glued trim ended up falling off. On the sides and bottom I had put window self stick tape and velcro. I guess it looked "ok" but I ended up going with the Metra kit. The buttons are not that bad at all. The metra kit fit the radio in perfect.... looks 10000% factory. I wasted so much time and money with the JDM kit... lesson learned for me. I also have a call into SCOOCHE but apparently unless you want to put in a black kit, don't even bother because their coloring looks all messed up. I spoke to a guy named Tim over there last Friday... he was going to get back to me but still didnt. So at the end of the day, the Metra kit it is.

I hope the JDM works out better for you then it did for me.....

 

Many thanks for the good wishes, bud.

You know, you're the first person (that I know of, anyway) to openly endorse the Metra over the JDM, so kudos to you for being brave enough to say that; most guys wouldn't openly admit to things like that. That's why we don't see too many pictures posted(?).

It looks like Metra has made great strides to match the JDM finish but the buttons are the biggest issue, I think(?). I've never seen the kit first hand, but from others' descriptions, I get the sense that they are rubbery/spongy(?), which is understandably a big turn-off for most.

The degree of difficulty in the install is, of course, dependant on integrating one's choice of peripherals like steering controls, backup cameras, etc. to the OEM parts (in your case the Pioneer stereo). Something, which has me quite terrified since I want to add a few extra gimmicks (dashcam rearview mirror, surround cameras on the back and side mirrors, DRL lights, parking sensors on the front and back, etc. - yep! I'm THAT nerdy!?) while still keeping everything toned-down/subtle.
It's a tall order so it will be a bit pricey and a pretty big challenge. I just hope I don't jack things up to where the car ends up looking like the Delorean in Back to the Future!? Time will tell!
Take it easy bud and thanks again. Cheers!

 

Don't fear all those extras. I put in a cam, I had put one in last month but changed it out to this one, Love it! Especially since the bolts in the plate have the plastic caps over it. The cam looks like just another bolt. You hardly notice it and if you do, you don't really think anything of it. It looks stock. I did pick up a 4 pin extension cable to make it through the grommet and INTO the trunk on this one though. The wire attached to the mounting frame/ camera is on the shorter side. A $5.99 extension cable.

I put the USB in the storage bin between the two seats. Cut through it with a drill, multi tool and then filed it. Looks OEM. I did a cut out of the size from the computer, used spray glue to temp put it on and cut it out, then cleaned off the glue.

Take your time and go slow... having the right tools helps too. Have fun with it. It's all a learning curve but if you take your time, you will do as good or better of a job as anyone and do it the way you like it! I also had much better luck with the Maestro SW steering wheel controls over the other brand. 15 minutes it was programmed up and hooked in. Don't be intimidated.

 

Heres the camera I have. Nice picture and no issues. Comes with the extension cable and everything else u will need. And its cheaper too!