The story of my install, when things go wrong

[CaveMan]

The Saga begins…

I got to the point where I wanted to change out the stock stereo. I had messed with RCA adapters that use the SAT/AUX connector on the back of the stock deck. It worked, but had some draw backs. And then the damn adapter died on me.

I had the REF, single CD, with 6 speakers and factory amp. Due to the integration of the stereo with the CAN bus a little more thought has to go into replacement. So I planned it and ordered the parts. NO plan survives the first contact, intact.

I order the head unit and CAN bus interface from CarDomain. They’ve got a good selection and prices. They’re also located about 20 miles from my house so I get next day shipping for free. I had to return a part from a previous purchase and they issued an RMA without question. SO far they’re very good to deal with.

The interface I ordered was the Scosche DCCR03SR. If you look up the part it’s made to do exactly what I needed it to do. It’s on the fit guide for the 300 on CarDoamin as well. I order it Wednesday afternoon and everything shows up Friday evening. So I break out my soldering iron and get busy.

I soldered and heat shrank all of the connection. The harness was a piece of art! With the “hard” part over I run out to the garage rip open the bezel and drop the stock radio. I’ve done this part at least a dozen times while screwing with the RCA interface adapter I was using before. Along with the Scosche Bluetooth adapter that also ended up going back.

I hooked up the harness and the antenna adapter to the new head unit. The head unit powers up and I tune to a radio station. NO SOUND! So I popped in a CD. NO SOUND! GRRRRRRR….. Let the troubleshooting begin!

I hooked a speaker I had laying around to the back of the head unit. The HU was putting out sound. Which means it’s probably not the deck. I know the harness is good. The problem has to be from the DCCR0SR on up.

Upon examining the wiring diagrams and matching it against the car’s harness there is NO WAY the DCCR03SR is going to work. The pin outs are way off. This of course took a good long while to figure out and convince myself it was the adapter. I have to go over everything twice to make sure I’m not just being a dumbass.

The next day I call Car Toys to see if they have a different adapter. I was looking for the Peripheral’s CHYAH05. I knew it could be had, but was more expensive than the Scoche. The guy on the phone says he has one. SWEET! So I run down to get the part, not caring about the price because I just want the damn stereo to work now!

I get there and the same guy says “Oh the one we have is a Scoche.” I TOLD HIM THE PART NUMBER OF THE PART I WANTED OVER THE PNONE! GRRRRRRRRRRRRR… Ten years ago I would have choked him on the spot. I’m just not as aggressive as I used to be. Instead I called him a dumbass and asked to see the part.


The part he brings out is a DCCR03SRB. NOTE THE B! As in BEE, the second letter of the alphabet, B! I check the pin outs which are know burned into my head. This part will work!

I pay the man and haul ass home. I again solder in the HU’s harness into the new adapter. I wander out the garage and plug it in. THE STEREO FUNCTIONS PERFECTLY. The sound of sweet music at 120DB! The factory amp is working, the chimes, no codes, it was done. But nothing is perfect.

The only thing I’m missing is fade control. This is due to the factory amp and the integration. This isn’t a problem as far as I’m concerned. The option is to replace the amp and do some rewiring on the speakers. Since I’m happy with the sound it’s staying just the way it is.

The DCCR03SRB looks EXACTLY like the CHYAH05. I haven’t had both in my hands but published pictures, and wiring diagrams look identical. Both have a connector for steering wheel controls on the harness. A few more paychecks and I’ll drop the cash for those. I made sure the deck I bought was compatible with the steering wheel controls before buying it.