2005 Honda Odyssey -- Factory (Alpine) Stereo [Archive]

graystrickland

12-01-2004, 11:08 PM

I am fairly confident -- but don't know for sure -- that models with Navigation will be able to insert a device between 6-disc changer (which is hidden behind the flip-down lcd screen) and the head unit. There are other Honda/Alpine units with a separate 6-disc changer and head unit where this works. Frankly, I've been too busy so far to take apart the dash -- or pay someone to do it -- to get at the connectors and try it. but I'm 99% sure that it will work.

smiro2@yahoo.ca

12-02-2004, 01:18 AM

hum!

Then I am hosed. We bought an "EX with Leather and Honda DVD Entertainment System", so we don't have the navigation system.

Any idea for that model?

graystrickland

12-02-2004, 01:46 AM

I am not sure about the ones without NAV. Is your head unit and your cd changer one device? If so, I think that you are hosed. If not, then I believe that you can get a device in between the two.

sixtn39

12-02-2004, 01:58 AM

http://www.odyclub.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20744

The Honda Element is the only Honda that has a direct aux cord (other than my Goldwing) that allows a direct connect to an mp3 device.

graystrickland

12-02-2004, 04:31 AM

Originally posted by graystrickland
I am not sure about the ones without NAV. Is your head unit and your cd changer one device? If so, I think that you are hosed. If not, then I believe that you can get a device in between the two.

Not exactly true... the 2005 Oddessey EX-L and Touring have an aux jack in the third row which may be selected at the head unit as the audio source. Unfortunately, there is no way (that I can find, any way) to use the aux source for the driver, while letting the kids watch and listen to dvds in the 2nd and 3rd rows.

And it's a helluva long reach to plug in your iPod while driving.

smiro2@yahoo.ca

12-02-2004, 12:11 PM

Hi

The cd changer is also the dvd player and is at the bottom of the console, i.e not the face as the radio face-plate.

So you beleieve there's hope?

graystrickland

12-02-2004, 02:19 PM

In that case, I believe that there is hope. Although I have not actively researched this in about a month, found devices from more than one vendor which worked in other Honda and Acura models with Alpine factory stereos where the head unit and the cd player were phyisically separate units.

I exchanged some emails with Robert Wilson, Vice President of Sales, Pacific Accessory Corporation, (714) 835-3022, www.pac-audio.com about this. While he did not have anything that he guaranteed to work, he indicated that if I would pull the head unit and cd changer, photograph the connectors and send him the photos, that it was likely that one of his existing products could be made to work.

FWIW... I love my 2005 Odyssey. It's everything I wanted and more. Drives like a car. Lots of power. Very flexible. More vehicle for $34k than you get for nearly twice that in a Suburban, Sequoya, Land Rover, Expedition, etc., etc. At least IMHO. However, now that my 4th child is than a month away, and the 1 week home remodeling project that we started 6 weeks ago is still going on, I have had no time to investigate this further. If you find something, please post back here.

smiro2@yahoo.ca

12-02-2004, 05:17 PM

Well...

Funny, we're sort of in the same situation...

We just signed for the van (haven't received it yet).

We, also, will be having our 4th baby by Dec 18th...

Althouh I might get to it before the bay is born, something tells me you might have a better chance!

I'll keep you posted if get to it before you do.

Best regards

Santiago

sjhayman

04-07-2005, 04:20 PM

I just test drove a Odyssey EX-L and the stereo (6-disc in-dash changer) had an "aux" button on front of it but no signs of any jacks anywhere. Unfortunately, the stereo wasn't hooked up so I couldn't see what the button actually did and the saleperson didn't know.

Very weird.

graystrickland

04-07-2005, 05:36 PM

There is a set of three jacks (audio left and right, plus video) in the left armrest of the third row seats. If you select AUX on the head unit, then whatever you have plugged in there will go wherever you direct it to go. The head unit controls the front and rear separately. That is, you can select any input you want for the front passengers and a different input for the rear passengers (which they will enjoy through headphones, not the car speakers). If you have different inputs going, then the rear speakers are turned off automatically. If you select one input for front and rear, then it plays over all speakers.

It stands to reason that the jacks in the third row are cabled to the headunit; that if you know the pin-out design of the head-unit's connector(s), that you could tap into it behind the dash and install your own front seat auxiliary jacks with a switch that lets you choose front seat aux versus third row aux. That all seems great in theory, but so far I've been too lazy (or intimidated) to pull the head unit on a purely exploratory mission. I thought... to the extent I thought about it at all... that I'd buy the service manual for the '05 Odyssey and develop my plan before I start tearing things up. I called the dealer, but you can't buy the manual at the dealer. You have to order it from Helm (www.helminc.com). There is more than one manual and I'm not smart enough to figure out which is the one that has the information required for this project.

My plan...
1. Get manual
2. Pull headunit
3. Install switch in front row to switch between new jacks and 3d row aux jacks
4. Install combined power and sound jack for my 4g iPod so that it charges as it plays (not sure where to get one yet)
5. Find a better way to hold the iPod than letting it lay in the console.

But I have no time, so it may be a while before I get to it.

Meanwhile, my wife, four kids and I really love the new Odyssey.

vtandrew

05-29-2005, 12:04 AM

We have a 2005 EX-L (and yes, we absolutely love it) with the 6-CD changer. It DOES have an AUX/XM button, but there are no jacks in the third row of seats. My local Tweeters rep said that he thought that there might be a line in jack in the rear of the head unit. Can anyone confirm that? I'm not giving him carte blanche to rip my dash apart without some kind of corroboration.

graystrickland

05-30-2005, 12:03 AM

I can't guarantee you that there is a line-in jack, or even a wiring block equivilent, for your unit, but I'd bet you it's there. I encourage you to take the chance. But if you're really worried, buy the Honda service manual. Honda does not sell them. Honda subs this out to publisher, Helm (see link above in this thread). I think that the one you want is the "2005 Odyssey Service Manual KA" ($70.00, paper). I plan to get one, but haven't while I'm consumed with other projects. Anyway, you could get this manual and it *should* give all the details for you to know with certainty before you disassble your dash -- and how to do that too.

BTW, I've been useing a cable to the 3d row (yes, you don't have one), with my ipod for a few months now. It sounds great.

vtandrew

05-30-2005, 08:08 AM

Thanks... After I posted I stumbled across this: (You'll need to reassemble the link... I guess they don't want us new guys posting links)

logjamelectronics.com/ densioni20hondar3.html

graystrickland

05-31-2005, 08:05 AM

Please post back if you buy the device at Logjam. I notice that it's for the Accord, not Odyssey, although it may work for all I know.

vtandrew

05-31-2005, 09:57 AM

Thanks, I will. It does say Odyssey though:

Works with the following non-navigation-equipped vehicles:

2003-2005 Honda Accord
2005 Honda Odyssey
2004-2005 Honda S2000
2004-2005 Acura RSX-S
2004-2005 Acura TSX
Plugs into the connector in the rear of the factory radio.
Works with or without the 6 disc in-dash CD changer and does NOT disable the 6-disc changer.
If vehicle is equipped with factory remote mounted CD changer, XM tuner or CD/MP3 player, it MUST be disconnected to use the ice>Link:Plus.

Rico3201

05-31-2005, 02:42 PM

Hey everybody. I just found this forum, as I have a new iPod and was looking for some advice on accessories.

I also have a brand new 2005 Honda Odyssey Touring model with Navi and Rear Entertainment System (RES).

I can confirm the player for the navigation DVD is under one of the front seats (I think it is the driver's, but I haven't looked.) It is mentioned in the HUGE owners manual.

There is a slot to load a DVD for the RES at the bottom of the front dash console, below assorted cupholders.

There is a six disc CD changer. You access the loading slot by lowering the navigation screen.

There is a set of headphone jacks and aux imputs back in the third row seating armrest, at least in my model. I think one use would be to add a game console so you could watch the screen on the roof while playing the game. It also has a power jack there for that purpose. Also, the van comes with two wireless heaphones for use with the RES, and the headphone jacks in the armrest would allow more folks in the back rows of seats to enjoy a movie with headphones.

pmad

05-31-2005, 03:45 PM

Originally posted by graystrickland

My plan...
4. Install combined power and sound jack for my 4g iPod so that it charges as it plays (not sure where to get one yet)
5. Find a better way to hold the iPod than letting it lay in the console.

I'm thinking about getting the Arkon CM-170 (http://www.arkon.com/ipodaccessories.html). It's a mount that charges and has a lineout.
(Scroll to third item down)

graystrickland

05-31-2005, 03:54 PM

Originally posted by vtandrew
Thanks, I will. It does say Odyssey though:

Works with the following non-navigation-equipped vehicles:

2003-2005 Honda Accord
2005 Honda Odyssey
2004-2005 Honda S2000
2004-2005 Acura RSX-S
2004-2005 Acura TSX
Plugs into the connector in the rear of the factory radio.
Works with or without the 6 disc in-dash CD changer and does NOT disable the 6-disc changer.
If vehicle is equipped with factory remote mounted CD changer, XM tuner or CD/MP3 player, it MUST be disconnected to use the ice>Link:Plus.

I think that you're referring to the Dension I20 -- Honda -- R3 Ice>Link:Plus (http://logjamelectronics.com/densioni20hondar3.html) It works with 2005 Odysseys, but ONLY if NOT equiped with the navigation system. My EX-L has that, so I must keep looking.

graystrickland

05-31-2005, 04:06 PM

Originally posted by Rico3201
I can confirm the player for the navigation DVD is under one of the front seats (I think it is the driver's, but I haven't looked.) It is mentioned in the HUGE owners manual.
It's under the driver seat. If you have the subwoofer, it goes under the front passenger seat.

Originally posted by Rico3201
There is a set of headphone jacks and aux imputs back in the third row seating armrest, at least in my model. I think one use would be to add a game console so you could watch the screen on the roof while playing the game. It also has a power jack there for that purpose. Also, the van comes with two wireless heaphones for use with the RES, ...the headphone jacks in the armrest would allow more folks in the back rows of seats to enjoy a movie with headphones.
There are three OUTPUT headphone jacks for conventional (electronic) headphone use. They will play whatever the RES is playing. The same is true of the two infrared headphones which come with the van. Others have confirmed that *any* infrared headphone will work.

In addition, the same location in the left 3d row armrest are three A/V INPUT jacks (audio left, right and video). You can plug an audio cable in those jacks, then plug your iPod into that cable. When you select AUX on the headunit, you can listen to your iPod. Even better, you can listen to your iPod in the front seat using this method while the kids watch a movie in the back.

So... I know that the A/V jacks in the back are wired to the headunit. If I would just break down and spend the money for a the service manual with electronic schematics, I would know for sure where I can splice in a new set of audio input jacks in the front row.

If didn't have four kids, I'd have time to figure this out, but then again, I wouldn't have a mini-van either.

graystrickland

05-31-2005, 05:02 PM

Originally posted by pmad
I'm thinking about getting the Arkon CM-170 (http://www.arkon.com/ipodaccessories.html). It's a mount that charges and has a lineout.
(Scroll to third item down)

That looks like a good unit which does it all, but I personally would not want my iPod held by something stuck permanently in one of the cig. lighters. I sit pretty tall in the saddle and would find it awkward to manipulate the iPod (or even see it) that close to the floor.

My current thought is to try to figure out a way to build a non-destructive cradle-thingy to sit in the crevice between the instrument panel cluster and the navigation cluster. I was thinking that there out to be some way to custom form something of foam which sits there, cradled by the two clusters and the dash benind. See picture of my concept here: http://www.ikealumni.com/honda_dash_+_ipod.jpg

FWIW... Proclips has two mounts for the 2005 Odyssey which can be mated with holders for iPod, Palm, cell phone or every other conceivable portable device:

853549 - ProClip Center Mount, Angled (http://www.proclipusa.com/?sectionpath=144&pageid=8835&processor=content&pcategoryid=12954&categoryid=13273&year=2005&p_origin=144&p_sectionid=144&p_pageid=8901&p_processor=asp&p_asp_processor=product&p_action=proclipcategorysearch&p_ppagecategoryid=13872&p_pagecategoryid=14172&p_pcategoryid=12954&p_categoryid=13273&p_sitecategoryid=&p_year=2005) and 803550 - ProClip Left Mount (http://www.proclipusa.com/?sectionpath=144&pageid=8828&processor=content&pcategoryid=12954&categoryid=13273&year=2005&p_origin=144&p_sectionid=144&p_pageid=8901&p_processor=asp&p_asp_processor=product&p_action=proclipcategorysearch&p_ppagecategoryid=13872&p_pagecategoryid=14172&p_pcategoryid=12954&p_categoryid=13273&p_sitecategoryid=&p_year=2005). They would work, but I'm not willing to block air conditioning air-flow. I live in Oklahoma, but nobody would if it weren't for a/c.

pmad

05-31-2005, 05:29 PM

Originally posted by graystrickland

My current thought is to try to figure out a way to build a non-destructive cradle-thingy to sit in the crevice between the instrument panel cluster and the navigation cluster. I was thinking that there out to be some way to custom form something of foam which sits there, cradled by the two clusters and the dash benind. See picture of my concept here: http://www.ikealumni.com/honda_dash_+_ipod.jpg

I don't know how advanced you want to get but you could:

1. Line the area with waxed paper
2. Mold clay into area
3. Use clay to make a mold out of either resin or dental acrylic. Someone did it here (http://forums.ipodlounge.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=28019)

arench

06-09-2005, 04:01 PM

graystrickland- you ever have any luck trying to remove the dash of your Odyssey?

I've been reading this thread since before I bought my 2005 -- just picked it up yesterday. I was disappointed to realize that the 3rd seat aux inputs are only available with the DVD package which we passed on.

I think my only hope for using my iPod with my new van is to use the ice>Link:Plus. I was hoping to find some info on the web detailing how to remove the dash. As you, I'd like to avoid buying the manual.

Any new insights?

graystrickland

06-10-2005, 01:15 PM

I have ordered from Helm:

61SHJ00: 2005 Odyssey Service Manual KA
61SHJ00EL: 2005 Odyssey Electrical Troubleshooting Manual (KA)

They should arrive in about a week. If you want PDF scans of relevant pages, send me an email to G S AT SLF DOT U S.

Gray Strickland

graystrickland

06-13-2005, 04:18 PM

FYI... I received an email off-list from another user who wrote, "My local Car Audio/Video store says that if XM is enabled on the ’05, you cannot use the AUX port."

That's not true. I have an XM subscription which I enjoy every day and I plug my iPod in trhough the 3d row armrest jacks which I select with the AUX settings on the headunit. Both XM and iPod work.

Now I just need to cirumvent the cable across the floor to the 3d row armrest....

graystrickland

06-13-2005, 06:56 PM

FYI (again)... I received another off-list email from a user who wrote, "I just got off the phone with Honda Cust. Service (HCS)... the first verified what the keys on the front of my head unit were. I have an XM key by itself. The “DVD” key (allowing you to hear the audio being generated from the DVD player) is labeled DVD/AUX. Once HCS confirmed this as the “key layout”, they concluded the following: you can cable into the AUX and you’re good to go. The only potential wrinkle is that while you’re in iPod, the kids cannot watch a DVD. Since you are connecting via the 3rd row audio/video station, that may be what you’re doing already."

THAT IS NOT TRUE.

You can let the kids watch a dvd in back while your iPod is connected to the third row armrest jacks (which you select as the "AUX" source). Just because DVD and AUX share the "DVD/AUX" button on the head unit does not mean that you can't simultaneously select DVD as source for rear while selecting AUX as soure for front. I do just that all the time.

austerville

06-29-2005, 01:05 PM

Originally posted by graystrickland
FYI (again)... I received another off-list email from a user who wrote, "I just got off the phone with Honda Cust. Service (HCS)... the first verified what the keys on the front of my head unit were. I have an XM key by itself. The “DVD” key (allowing you to hear the audio being generated from the DVD player) is labeled DVD/AUX. Once HCS confirmed this as the “key layout”, they concluded the following: you can cable into the AUX and you’re good to go. The only potential wrinkle is that while you’re in iPod, the kids cannot watch a DVD. Since you are connecting via the 3rd row audio/video station, that may be what you’re doing already."

THAT IS NOT TRUE.

You can let the kids watch a dvd in back while your iPod is connected to the third row armrest jacks (which you select as the "AUX" source). Just because DVD and AUX share the "DVD/AUX" button on the head unit does not mean that you can't simultaneously select DVD as source for rear while selecting AUX as soure for front. I do just that all the time.

This post got me REALLY excited as I saw it as an easy way to hook Sirius to my wife's 2004 Odyssey, but unfortunately, you can't listen to the rear Aux input in the front, while watching a DVD in the rear - when you select Aux on the head unit and then try to select DVD for the rear it switches the rear input to Aux, instead of DVD - you can't select DVD for the rear until you unselect Aux in the front :-)

graystrickland

06-29-2005, 03:11 PM

Not true.

I listen to my iPod in the front of my Odyssey while my kids watch a dvd in the rear (and listen to it on headphones). My iPod is plugged into the rear aux input jacks. If you can plug the output of a Sirius radio into the aux input jacks in the 3d row armrest, then you can listen to Sirius in the front while the kids watch a dvd in the back.

austerville

06-30-2005, 10:21 AM

What year is your Odyssey? I just tried it again on my wife's 2004 and it definitely doesn't work that way - at least for me. If you have a 2004 and it works then I'd really like to know what I'm doing wrong - I tried an Ipod and Sirius Starmate receiver, with the same results. Thanks.

graystrickland

06-30-2005, 10:53 AM

Sorry, I have a 2005. From the thread title, I would assume that anyone participating has one too. I have no clue about 2004 or prior models.

austerville

06-30-2005, 12:19 PM

That's ok. I mentioned in my post that it was a 2004, but I can understand the confusion. I was hoping that I was just being dumb and that you would tell me a way to do this, but I guess that's not going to happen. I just ordered a SATSWB and will give that a try, although I was trying to avoid that, since it involves removing parts of the dash. Thanks again.

ewong_kaizen

07-04-2005, 01:21 AM

My friend just bought a 2005 Odyssey and wanted me to research how to get an iPod to work in his van.

They have this radio

http://www.handa-accessories.com/odyssey/05odyXmRadiosm.jpg

The first question - how to disassemble the dash to get at the radio?

These may be helpful:
This is for the XM module and is interesting but not useful
http://www.handa-accessories.com/odyssey/05odyxmradio.pdf
This is for the aux CD/Cassette player and DOES tell you how to remove the radio.
http://www.handa-accessories.com/odyssey/05odyplayeratt.pdf

Upon reading - it looks like there is a "bus" cable and thus the iPod wont connecto to the "AUX" input directly (aka RCA or 1/8 mini stereo)

On the other hand - this thread seems to indicate that there is an AUX input in the rear of the car and there might be a way to tap into that.

And of course - the HELM manual to figure out what wires to splice in to....

graystrickland

07-05-2005, 10:22 AM

FYI... Helm is re-shipping manuals to me. I'll post an ftp link here when they arrive (in a few days).

graystrickland

03-01-2007, 04:34 PM

Somebody contacted me off-line with this query:

I know you don't know me but I saw some of your posts on ipodlounge. It seems you are very noligable about the Odyssey. I have a the 05 Honda odyssey with the factory radio with 6 cd changer in the front. No navi or DVD player. I would really like to hook up my IPOD. Do you have any suggestions. Did you ever receive the 2005 Honda Odyssey Manual from HELM. I was not able to find your post for the ftp file.

My response is...

Yes, I got the manuals, although they took so long to come in, I never returned to this thread to post a follow-up. If anyone still wants to see the relevant pages, email me using my iLounge user name AT gmail.com.

I was going to use the information in the manual to try to come up with a way to put a switch and a jack between the headset and the lines to the audio and video inputs in the 3d row armrest (at least, they're in the 3d row left armrest on my 2005 EX-L with Navigation and RES) so that I could switch between those inputs and a new set of inputs somewhere in my dash. I never got around to it. I got another kid instead.

Now you can buy a better solution than you can build. The iPod Interface (http://www.usaspec.com/ipod.html) (PA11-Hon or PA11-Hony2) from USA-Spec does that easier than you can build something yourself. Whether you buy the PA11-Hon or PA11-Hony2 depends on what model of factory car stereo you already have. Read this manual (http://www.usaspec.com/app_guide_2007.pdf) to see what you need. The cost $149 or $169, respectively. It looks like it would be an easy install, but I haven't tried it yet.

If you have factory navigation, then while you're installing the USA-Spec device, you might as well also install a GNET_RGB_HondaAcura (http://www.gnetcanada.com/navvideo-models-gnet_rgb_hondaacura20.asp?Car=Honda%20Odyssey) for $299 which will allow you to display any video source you want on your front screen, including the movie the kids are watching on the RES, signal from a video iPod, Sony PSP, etc...

graystrickland

03-01-2007, 04:50 PM

FYI... the PA11-Hon2y does not disable the 6-disc-cd-changer if you have one. You can read the install manual here (http://www.discountcarstereo.com/pdf/pa11-hon2y.pdf).

partyd

03-08-2007, 02:01 PM

2005 honda radios that don't have any other source plug in the back can use this interface to input audio

http://www.oemautosound.com/pc-289-88-pie-hon03pc-son-honda-auxiliary-input-adapter-20o3-2006.aspx

if there is a slave tape player or DVD video system you can use the X3HONO3 this interface stops the tape or dvd audio and lets you input 3 audio sources in to the factory radio

also if you want full controls of your ipod you can use the usa specs PA-11HON2Y this interface comes with a y connector in case of video or xm

http://www.oemautosound.com/pc-256-183-honda-to-ipod-interface-2003-2006-pa11-hon2y.aspx

graystrickland

03-08-2007, 02:08 PM

The link you provided (http://www.oemautosound.com/pc-289-88-pie-hon03pc-son-honda-auxiliary-input-adapter-20o3-2006.aspx) to the PIE HON03/PC-SON HONDA AUXILIARY INPUT ADAPTER 20O3-2006 says, "If you have factory XM, you will need to disconnect it to use the HON03/PC-SON." I have factory XM and use it every day. I'd never give it up.

Even though the USA-Spec device (http://www.usaspec.com/ipod.html) is much more expensive ($169 for it vs. $79 for the PIE device), the USA-Spec box doesn't make me give up any functionality and I can use my steering wheel buttons to control my ipod (albeit in a limited way).

partyd

03-08-2007, 02:11 PM

IF you have XM you will use the other interface X3HONO3 and it is only $69.00
i also love the xm and never unplug it, all hondas don't have XM

littlebeagle

11-25-2008, 03:53 PM

Hi,
I skimmed/read through this thread, so I hope I'm not posting what someone else has already posted.

I have an '05 Odyssey base model. The radio shows AUX button, so I was looking for ways to use it.

Has anyone seen or tried his before?

well, crap, it won't let me post a link because I'm new. Just go to eBay and do a search for:

Xcarlink for Honda

Here's a partial description. If you search & find it, you can see pictures, etc.

Quote from ebay auction I found:
XCarLink is a MP3 car kit. It is a replacement of CD changer.It can be easily installed and used.
The installation and usage are the same as CD changer's installation and usage,
Simply plug in USB disk/SD card, you can play MP3 through car audio system and enjoy MP3 in your "BMW".
Characteristics:
1 Exclusive built-in high quality MP3 decoder
2 Support USB disk/SD card
3 Direct connection with CD-quality sound
4 No battery required
5 1/8" stereo jack for other auxilliary input
6 Full control by steering wheel or car radio panel.
7 Playlist function same as multi CDs.

Any input appreciated! Thanks! :)