cluosborne

Metra has an excellent installation kit, as well as harnesses that plug both into the factory harness and INTO THE FACTORY RADIO.

The part numbers are:
70-1781 (into factory harness) ~10
71-1781 (into factory radio) ~10
99-7501 (installation kit) ~20

Note that when you look up 71-1781, it will state that it is for the Ford Festiva. I assure you, it is correct for the Mazda RX7, look at the plugs in the manufacturer photo.

When I got my RX7, the previous owner had done the same thing, cut the original factory plugs. I was able to soldier in new plugs, insulated with shrink wrap, and then plug in a standard adaptor harness.

If your factory power antenna is bad, you can get a radioshack replacement for about $45. Just transfer the factory mounting bracket to the new antenna (only one screw hole will line up, but that hasn't inteferred with operation or reliability). As for wiring, you can tap into the factory connector with the included wiring. There should be a constant 12V and diagonally opposite that is a switched 12V. You can also run a length of wire to the center console and hook up an override switch (as when I installed the antenna, it wasn't directly connected to the headunit's 12V remote lead).

RX-7_Wuff

I got the radio in myself ihardwired the Acc switch on to the sunroof circuit b/c the ACC wire on my radio harness is dead

RX-7_Wuff

btw my radiotor is full ive gotta grouund that switch out

Icemark

The acc wire from the switch powers the cigarette lighter and radio, the sunroof is powered by ignition 2 from the igntion switch. That means your key must be on to run the radio, rather than in just the accessory position.

Leaving the key on with the car not running for long periods of time will result in damage to the car.

Leaving it in the acc position is fine though (other than battery drain).

You need to wire it correctly, and fix the bad fuse or disconnected wire.

Icemark

Here's the wiring diagram that I have post a dozen times now:

kristopher_d

Why do so many people try to short cut so much? Even if you don't have any clue on the wires (fsm, or forum members to help) a volt meter will tell you a lot. If a wire doesn't work, fix it. If a buzzer or warning light is always going off (and it's false alarm) figure out why, and fix it. You'll want that warning when your engine does get hot. It's probably just a bad sensor. Download the fsm from fc3s.org, and use the diagnostic procedures. Also, the radio wiring diagrams in it are really rather easy to read. You can't go wrong doing it right.

NZConvertible

This is why Icemark said you should get your stereo professionally installed. These sorts of "modifications" usually end up biting you in the ***. No, you have to replace it!

Icemark

and

Quote:

I got the radio in myself ihardwired the Acc switch on to the sunroof circuit b/c the ACC wire on my radio harness is dead

Are classic examples of why a car owned/modded by (shall we say a younger person) is typically not worth much. Certinly not as much as they think its worth.

Its all half ***.

AE Turbo

bump,

Doing a stereo install.

PlayinW/Wankel

I am 17 and I think you need to remove your head from your ***. Just because this guy is a joke doesnt mean all younger people who modify there cars are dumbasses who dont take the time to do things correctly. I take excellent care of my care and am doing all modifications to make my car look, run, perform as well or better than it did the day it was bought. I know what i am doing, and if I dont I turn to all the helpfull people on this forum, it is stupid for you to characterize all "younger" people as lazy and doing things half assed like this guy is. Sure I might think my car is worth more than it is, but thats probably because I like it so much.

NZConvertible

Perhaps Mark should’ve said inexperienced instead of younger. I’ve seen some absolutely shocking things done to cars (not just wiring related) by people who had plenty of enthusiasm but not the necessary knowledge or experience, and I’m sure Mark has too. Usually this knowledge and experience comes with age, so it’s easy to generalise. Don’t take it personally.

Gr8ful

I am impressed with how much patience and time has been extended to our younger, possibly less experienced, forum members. Young men, don't bite the hand that feeds you!

Icemark, in particular, seems extremely willing to help the newbie of any age. He has the right to express an opinion about the value of newbies' cars without getting chastised. Where's your respect!

His point made sense. I would still rather buy a 40-something woman's one owner, dealer serviced, stock 7 that her insurance company totaled and that she didn't have the means to fix economically than a young stud's experiment. Now I have insulted women! Sorry ladies!

BKC TURBO

I would never buy a car that was owned by a woman of any age. I have met and know of so many younger and older women that did not know where to put oil in or ran the vehicle with obscenely low oil levels. Of course they aren't all like that, but I think I would be better off in the end. Dealer maintainence doesn't mean a whole lot either if the car is abused.

zukskywalker

iTrader: (2)

Hey Icemark, again from my old thread-have you or anybody here ever tap into the inputs to the main amp? I need to add some devices to my system(am/fm, mech. cass.,eq) and refuse to use any cheesy cassette or FM input gizmos.