Real-Time Help!! -- Radio deck not recognizing CD Player

[NSXaholic]

Guys any thoughts:

Got my DIN extension cable and plugged into the both ends -- the radio deck head and the changer. Did so when the car was turned off. Switched the car on, and the CD player eject button is lit, and the player ejects and accepts the magazine. However, the Radio deck is not switching to the player.

When I press the Tune AM/FM button, it just keeps switching between the frequencies.

I know that when I previously tried connecting the CD Changer directly to the emerging cables (without the DIN cable that I recently bought) it worked -- will try this again just now. Could it be the DIN?? But then why does the changer work when the DIN cable is connected and the power is switched on?

I'm working on this right now and any thoughts would be appreciated.

Regards.

 

[NSXaholic]

OK, so I plugged the CD changer directly into the radio deck wire (without the DIN) and it works. I then switched the car off, but before doing so, left the radio deck on the CD option, after which I reconnected the DIN wire. When I switched the car back on I got a "CD EEE" message, which means that the CD is disconnected or not properly connected, according the owners manual.

So the issue definitely seems to be the DIN wire (its like the radio deck is refusing to recognize it), but I don't understand what could be the problem. Here is a picture of the DIN cable I am using:

It's also an 8-pin in the same configuration as the main plugs. In terms of connecting the DIN cable to each of the ends, there was a little resistance when connecting it to the end of the changer, but it did ultimately manage to fit.

I still am a little surprised, because when I turn the car on with the DIN cable connected, the CD changer is definitely powered-up, and it ejects and accepts fine.

Very frustrating. What could the DIN issue be? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Regards.

[This message has been edited by NSXaholic (edited 11 December 2002).]

 

[Lud]

It's probably just a bad DIN cable. Try another one.

 

[JaguarXJ6]

Sounds like a bad expansion cable then, or one with a different pin out (unlikely, but possible?).

I've hooked up a few Alpine M-Bus changers and had that same resistance, so its nothing to be too concerned with unless you break something

Good luck with it.

Sunny

 

[DutchBlackNsx]

Make sure you got the right cable.
For DIN there are 2 shapes, the circular one, and the horseshoe one.
Have a close look if it is the right connector.

If that doesn't cure it, get a multimeter out, and measure the cable from one end to the other for shorts or opens.


Mich

edit: still can't spell properly


[This message has been edited by DutchBlackNsx (edited 11 December 2002).]

 

[NSXaholic]

Originally posted by Lud:
It's probably just a bad DIN cable. Try another one.

But just out of curiousity, wouldn't that also prohibit the CD changer unit from being powered up?? This wasn't the case with me. I guess there could be some sort of internal issue.

(Sigh!!) I'll see if I can find another 8-pin DIN cable.

Regards.

 

[NSXaholic]

Originally posted by JaguarXJ6:
Sounds like a bad expansion cable then, or one with a different pin out (unlikely, but possible?).

I've hooked up a few Alpine M-Bus changers and had that same resistance, so its nothing to be too concerned with unless you break something

Good luck with it.

Sunny

Yeah Sunny, the resistance was there, but nothing to the point where excessive forced was required, so I don't think there has been any damage to the pins/connectors (plus the CD changer works after I disconnected the DIN cable and plugged it in directly).

As you note, some resistance is to be expected, and is not atypical.

Regards.

 

[D'Ecosse]

Do you have a cct tester - can you check the pin-pin connection from the male end to the female end?
There is obviously something wrong with the cable - either its bad, or is not pin-pin compatible. Remember as you test it, you need to envisage the pin on the car's original plug connecting to the same corrresponding to the relevant pin on the other end of the extension. What this means effectively is if you look at the orientation of the pins (the same as in your picture): if you have pin 1 in the lower left side of the horseshoe array of pins (on the male side say), the corresponding connection will be at the lower right on the female end - then as you move clockwise around from the first pin on the male end, the corresponding one at female end will go anti-clockwise from the first reference pin at that end - did you follow that???

If not, pm me with your number & we can chat!

 

[Lud]

It's certainly possible for it to power up but have a communication problem. The different pins/wires have different functions. It only takes one bad connection to screw something up.

You have either a bad or incompatible cable. While it may be interesting to test it, I do not see the point unless you want to disassemble, repair and resolder it. Just replace it.

[This message has been edited by Lud (edited 11 December 2002).]

 

[D'Ecosse]

Originally posted by Lud:
Just replace it.

Lud, you have no idea how hard it is to find this! If he buys another from similar source, no guarantee it will be any more pin compatible.
Is this a stock part? I have heard it is, but it wasn't on my '93 (or NSXaholic's) - mine has fter-market config now though. Maybe it was available with factory installed CD only? Veryhard to find in the parts identifier.
I made to suggestion to try some of those "breaking" cars to see if it is available.

 

[NSXaholic]

Originally posted by D'Ecosse:
Lud, you have no idea how hard it is to find this! If he buys another from similar source, no guarantee it will be any more pin compatible.
Is this a stock part? I have heard it is, but it wasn't on my '93 (or NSXaholic's) - mine has fter-market config now though. Maybe it was available with factory installed CD only? Veryhard to find in the parts identifier.
I made to suggestion to try some of those "breaking" cars to see if it is available.

Thanks D'Ecosse. It is indeed very difficult to find. Amazingly, I have checked with a variety of audio shops in the Chicagoland area and on the net, and none of them seem to have it. Additionally, I think D'Ecosse spent a fair amount of time searching for it on the net in my earlier post related to this subject, and couldn't source any either. The few (and I stress "few") individuals that are selling DIN cables have 6 - 10 year old cables that they found when "cleaning up," and many of them have no idea if they work or not -- or what the cross-over status is. That is why this issue is so frustrating.

Nonetheless, given that I nearly failed my electronics class back in the day, I don't think soldering and the like is an option for me. Instead, I will just try to source a new DIN cable, and try to get the seller to confirm there there are no crossed wires prior to purchase/delivery.

Regards.

 

[Lud]

I didn't realize they were so hard to get. They are still used in a lot of other applications - if you can confirm pinout you may be able to find one that way. Pinout is here: http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/DIY/sound_system.htm

Anyway, all the cars were wired at the factory with a DIN cable from the head unit to the trunk. The OEM CD changer is a dealer-installed option, not factory installed, so all cars left the factory with the cable.

Good luck!

[This message has been edited by Lud (edited 11 December 2002).]

 

[NSXaholic]

Thanks for the FAQ reference Lud. The DIN connector I am talking is not the one that runs from the face-plate to trunk, but rather the extension DIN cable that runs from where the wires emerge on the left-side of the trunk to where the CD player is typically mounted on the right hand side.

I know the DIN cable seems to be a standard 8-pin cord with male/female heads, but I've still found it very difficult to locate. Either I've been communicating what I want to these audio shops very ineffectively (could be...don't put anything past me), or this really is a hard-part to find. D'Ecosse indicated that RadioShack does not have it either.

I guess one last thing worth bringing up as I re-read the FAQ is that the DIN cable I now have may be from an OEM Alpine player (I think it was actually) as opposed from an NSX player, and so pins 2 and 4 might not be switched. But I thought the worst that this would do is just reduce the overall bass. I don't think this would actually result in a "CD EEE" error...would it.

Regards.

 

[JaguarXJ6]

The key here is it sounds like its the wrong cable, period. If the changer functions work perfectly when plugged into the head unit but not with this extension in the trunk. I'm curious why the factory run cable isn't of sufficient length unless you require an extension for where you want to mount it.

Do you need an adapter rather then an extension, like here for instance: http://www.sounddomain.com/sku/PERACUALP

I wanted to edit this and add, I have an Alpine factory head unit, 8-pin M-Bus, and tried to use an Alpine CHM-S620 changer and needed an adapter like the one described above. Sounds like you got the wrong cable, if its functionality or just extending the range of the cable you have...

Sunny

[This message has been edited by JaguarXJ6 (edited 11 December 2002).]

[This message has been edited by JaguarXJ6 (edited 11 December 2002).]

 

[nsxxtreme]

Originally posted by NSXaholic:
Thanks for the FAQ reference Lud. The DIN connector I am talking is not the one that runs from the face-plate to trunk, but rather the extension DIN cable that runs from where the wires emerge on the left-side of the trunk to where the CD player is typically mounted on the right hand side.
Regards.

You are plugging it in the wrong cable. I believe the plug you are trying to plug it into is for the cell phone. The Din cable from the deck should come through on the right side of the car. It is installed on every NSX made even if it didn't come with a CD changer. I have the same din cable you are trying to plug into on the left side of my car as well. You should not need an extension, and you are correct about the effect of the pins being reversed. Hope this helps.


[This message has been edited by nsxxtreme (edited 11 December 2002).]

 

[NSXaholic]

Originally posted by nsxxtreme:
You are plugging it in the wrong cable. I believe the plug you are trying to plug it into is for the cell phone. The Din cable from the deck should come through on the right side of the car. I have the same din cable you are trying to plug into on the left side of my car as well. You should not need an extension, and you are correct about the effect of the pins being reversed. Hope this helps.

Negative nsxxtreme.

The phone connection is a 12-pin, so it won't fit. Also the FAQ instructions show that the DIN cable for the CD changer does actually emerge from the left side of the trunk. Finally, the CD changer does work when plugged directly into the 8-pin cable that emerges from the left side of the trunk, so that provides further confirmation that the connections seem right.

Problem seems to be with the DIN. Thanks for your confirmation on the pin cross-over issues.

Regards.

[This message has been edited by NSXaholic (edited 11 December 2002).]

 

[nsxxtreme]

Wierd they must run it along the back of the trunk. Seems like a long run when the could just run it along the front of the trunk. I can't take my left side apart my amp is bolted their.

What changer are you using? OEM or Alpine? Have you used an ohm meter to see if the pins go straight through? An Alpine M-Bus cable can be found here.When you tell me what changer you are running I can help you further.

Lud,
The FAQ needs updating to inlude the Alpine S634 as changers that work.


[This message has been edited by nsxxtreme (edited 11 December 2002).]

 

[NSXaholic]

Originally posted by nsxxtreme:
What changer are you using? OEM or Alpine?

I am using an '91-'94 OEM Changer.

Originally posted by nsxxtreme:
Have you used an ohm meter to see if the pins go straight through?

I have not, as I don't have the equipment. This is a good suggestion, also raised by D'Ecosse. I guess the one thing to note, though, is that ideally you would want cross-over since the 2- and 4-pin's are changed on the NSX changer, and so you want to check that (1) there is cross-over, and (2) that if so, the "right" pins are crossed over.

Originally posted by nsxxtreme:
An Alpine M-Bus cable can be found here.

nsxxtreme, you rock!!!. D'Ecosse and I have been trying to find this for some time, and have had a heck of a time trying to find vendors. How did you find the vendor so quickly?? Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. If this other guy that I am talking to doesn't come through, I will just go ahead and buy the DIN cable advertised on the site you pointed me to.

However, I assume that this is a straight OEM Alpine cable, and that I would also therefore need the ACUALP adapter. Could you confirm this?!?

Regards.

 

[JaguarXJ6]

I think your on the right track with the cables now from nsxxtreme if all you want to do is extend the cable range. You might have just picked up the wrong Alpine cable and not need an adapter.

The best way to confirm if you need an adapter or not is to find someone with your MY NSX who has the same changer installed. Do they need an adapter? There has to be *someone* out there, and if its nsxxtreme, then your golden.

Good luck!

[This message has been edited by JaguarXJ6 (edited 11 December 2002).]

 

[nsxxtreme]

My guess is you weren't looking for the right cable. The cable is called an Alpine M-bus cable, every car audio shop (that sells Alpine products) should still carry them.

For your other question I don't know where the wires are swapped. At the Deck or in the cable somewhere? If they are swapped at the deck then just the cable should work. If they are swapped in the cable you are trying to replace, then you would need the adpater. Someone needs to figure this out and put it in the FAQ.

Edit: It sound like you aren't sure what pins get crossed. What Honda did was to rebadge an Alpine CD changer. They switched pins #2 and #4 only. None of the other pins were switched. The question is where they did this. If the switch was done in the factory stereo then any Alpine m-bus cable should work fine (without any wires being switched).If the wires were switched some where in the cable then you would need the adapter only if they were switched in the cable you are replacing. Hope this makes sense.


[This message has been edited by nsxxtreme (edited 11 December 2002).]

 

[D'Ecosse]

OK - hold on here - this is just getting evryone confused.
It is important to know where the switch for the m-bus takes place; remember he already has the cable from the head to the trunk; it also works at this location. What he needs is pin-pin compatable cable at this point - not an m-bus cable, since he has the stock OEM changer. He simply needs to EXTEND the cable, not buy an adapter, which is to convert the OEM to std alpine off-the-shelf changer.

edit: I suspect the m-bus cable is pin-pin compatable as it would be used for new product installation i.e. no acura/honda pin switching funny business! The only consideration should be to use this as an extender NOT a replacement.

[This message has been edited by D'Ecosse (edited 11 December 2002).]

 

[Ag NSX]

NSXaholic: Which stores have you tried in Chicago? I cant remember where I got mine, but it was easy for me to find. Did you try Abt?

 

[D'Ecosse]

Now it's got me thinking - how can you tell whether the changer is Acura OEM or Alpine off-the-shelf?
On my install (not done by me) I have a CHM-S620 which obviously wasn't available in 1993 (car yr. so not original to car, although apparently available on 99+?)& it is plugged directly into the cable at the left front corner of trunk where it comes through bulkhead (i.e. no ACU/HON-ALP adapter)
So, if it is Acura unit, phasing will be correct, but if off-the-shelf it presumably should have the adapter. Now, how to tell if OEM unit or std. product? (I suspect it is std.product so should probably have the adapter)

 

[NSXaholic]

Originally posted by D'Ecosse:
Now it's got me thinking - how can you tell whether the changer is Acura OEM or Alpine off-the-shelf?

I believe the magazines for the NSX player have the Acura logo on it (I don't have my player with me -- it's in the car -- so I can't check right away). I believe this was true with the '91s - '94's. Also, because these magazines tended to get stuck in the changers when they were first introduced, Acura replaced these magazines (magazines only!) with magazines that had an "A" emblem on them.

Originally posted by D'Ecosse:
On my install (not done by me) I have a CHM-S620 which obviously wasn't available in 1993 (car yr. so not original to car, although apparently available on 99+?)

Absolutely correct. The FAQ indicates the following model numbers and time frames:

-- Alpine 5960 - Original unit re-badged as Acura and sold for $1000
-- Alpine CHM-S600 - Acura unit starting in 1995. Replaced quickly with the S601.
-- Alpine CHM-S601 - Same as S600, just faster
-- Alpine CHM-S604
-- Alpine CHM-S611
-- Alpine CHM-S620 - As of late '99 the replacement model for the S600 and S601 series

Originally posted by D'Ecosse:
it is plugged directly into the cable at the left front corner of trunk where it comes through bulkhead (i.e. no ACU/HON-ALP adapter). So, if it is Acura unit, phasing will be correct, but if off-the-shelf it presumably should have the adapter. Now, how to tell if OEM unit or std. product? (I suspect it is std.product so should probably have the adapter)

I haven't seen a picture of the adapter, but believe it would be noticeable if plugged in between the radio-faceplate cable that emerges on the left side of the trunk and your CD changer. Given that your unit is plugged into the radio-faceplate cable I think this is indicative that there is no adapter, and that this is an OEM piece (recall that the NSX was installed with the CHM-S620 post-99). If you don't notice any noticeable lack of bass, I would suspect that you have an OEM piece.

Regards.

[This message has been edited by NSXaholic (edited 12 December 2002).]

 

[Ag NSX]

I also have an CHM-S620.

I thought that if Acura switched the #2 & #4 pin, it would have to be in both the CD player and the cable right? Think about it. Let's say signal A&B are crossed in the cable, then signal A&B must be crossed in the CD changer, any other way you would be plugging signal A into B, even with an OEM set up.

So you go buy an aftermarket changer where signal A&B are NOT crossed. Now your signals are messed up because the cable has signal A&B CROSSED. So you go to an audio shop and buy a regular M-bus cable which signal A&B are NOT crossed and your changer receives the right signal.

So I think since NSXaholic has an OEM changer, he needs to find an OEM cable which the #2 & #4 pins are switched.

Does this make sense or am I missing something?