What's the story with the LCD above the deck on 1st gens?

[skeletor]

So from what I've been reading, there's a bit of incompatibility with aftermarket head units & the LCD screen on the 1st gen Mazda 3's. Something about the LCD screen being wired directly into the stock deck?

I just bought a 2004 M3 and will be swapping my double-din unit from my old car into the Mazda. What functionality will I lose? Is there a way around it?

Thanks!

[Impressive]

On 04-05 models you will lose all of it.

Us 06 owners get to retain only one of the information gauges along with our temperature display if installed correctly.

07-09 owners I'm pretty sure can buy models that will retain full LCD screen function. The reason you cannot do that is because your LCD screen programming is built into your factory headunit (they stopped doing this in 2006).

Hopefully someone with more knowledge/experience can chime in because I have a 2006 & am currently looking into various different potential audio setups for the summer.

[Default User]

The 04-05 models do not have the trip meter/gas consumption info. But for some reason the 06 does.

On the 04-06 models the head unit and the LCD screen is all ONE unit. Which means, when removing the OEM head unit, you will lose the screen entirely.

That's why you see the OEM-looking double din screen units are meant for 07-09 models, because the head unit and the LCD are two separate pieces

So on your 04, if you switch the head unit, you'll need the 04-05 specific mounting kit otherwise you'll have an empty void where the LCD is. You will probably also lose the steering wheel controls unless you buy the wiring adapter (and if your older head unit will allow it)

[Mazdy]

04-05 is all one unit

06-09 is 2 seperate

Because i have an 06 and the unit and the lcd can be seperately remove


The 04-05 models do not have the trip meter/gas consumption info. But for some reason the 06 does.

On the 04-06 models the head unit and the LCD screen is all ONE unit. Which means, when removing the OEM head unit, you will lose the screen entirely.

That's why you see the OEM-looking double din screen units are meant for 07-09 models, because the head unit and the LCD are two separate pieces

So on your 04, if you switch the head unit, you'll need the 04-05 specific mounting kit otherwise you'll have an empty void where the LCD is. You will probably also lose the steering wheel controls unless you buy the wiring adapter (and if your older head unit will allow it)

[Impressive]

So, just out of curiosity...I can put ANY aftermarket double DIN deck in place of my original head unit and retain the functions? or does it have to have specific features? I'm looking into either a Pioneer AVIC-series or a CASKA 3635.

[aris]

So, just out of curiosity...I can put ANY aftermarket double DIN deck in place of my original head unit and retain the functions? or does it have to have specific features? I'm looking into either a Pioneer AVIC-series or a CASKA 3635.

Your temp will still be their....


Now on the left side of the LCD screen if you want the time you must leave it on the time before unplugging your deck... Just make sure you do not unplug the screen and it keep the clock

[Impressive]

Your temp will still be their....


Now on the left side of the LCD screen if you want the time you must leave it on the time before unplugging your deck... Just make sure you do not unplug the screen and it keep the clock

Yeah I've got that much down. As for the info stuff, I'll probably keep KM Remaining on instead as my headunit will likely have the time on it already. What about the middle section what's going to happen with that? I'm not trying to spend a ton on my deck but I want to retain all/as much OEM functionality as well, along with the upgrades for bluetooth, iPod connectivity and potentially a rearview camera.

[aris]

Yeah I've got that much down. As for the info stuff, I'll probably keep KM Remaining on instead as my headunit will likely have the time on it already. What about the middle section what's going to happen with that? I'm not trying to spend a ton on my deck but I want to retain all/as much OEM functionality as well, along with the upgrades for bluetooth, iPod connectivity and potentially a rearview camera.

You will lose center...

[aris]

I'll take a picture of what mine looks like when i leave for the gym in a bit. Keep in mind my left side of the LCD screen is blank cause I unplug a bunch of fuses when replacing my cabin filter and I haven't gotten around to plugging in my factory deck to get my left side back

[Mike]

The Caska will keep all LCD functionality (on a 2008 for sure)

[aris]

The Caska will keep all LCD functionality (on a 2008 for sure)
We know... It's all ready beeing said in this thread 06-09.

Even with caska deck you will still have to plug in your factory deck for the left side of the LCD screen if you want to change it to something else

[aris]

Here is a pic... Now keep in mind that I still need to plug back factory deck for left side... Just lazy to do lol

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af102/aristeidis/4b42856d.jpg

[skeletor]

Awesome, thanks for your help!

So, would this dash kit (http://www.ebay.ca/itm/2004-2009-Mazda-3-Double-Din-Radio-Installation-Dash-Kit-/330657667876?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4cfcbb9b24#ht_500wt_1180) be right? Looks like its got a tab at the top to cover the LCD screen gap.

[Mike]

No. That's my point. You don't need to replug your factory deck. I can toggle between the different info (mileage left, time, consumption etc) with the press of the 'info' button on the caska unit.



We know... It's all ready beeing said in this thread 06-09.

Even with caska deck you will still have to plug in your factory deck for the left side of the LCD screen if you want to change it to something else

[aris]

No. That's my point. You don't need to replug your factory deck. I can toggle between the different info (mileage left, time, consumption etc) with the press of the 'info' button on the caska unit.

Oh ok so the caska deck lets you control the the functions on the LCD screen right?

[Mike]

correct. It keeps all the original functionality.

[Cudgel]

correct. It keeps all the original functionality.

Yup, I can confirm that as well. The Caska 3635 unit will keep all the LCD display including clock, temp, mileage, etc. for the 2008.

[aris]

correct. It keeps all the original functionality.
That's a bonus if have that deck... But I love my alpine deck... The sound is amazing :)

[Impressive]

That's a bonus if have that deck... But I love my alpine deck... The sound is amazing :)

I agree with aftermarket audio (in the form of Alpine or Pioneer) will sound much better than any sort of CASKA equivalent. Both of the guys who replied about keeping all the functionality have 2008 models...I'm pretty sure 06 models might still lose functionality even with the CASKA model those guys have. If someone could confirm how a CASKA 3635 functions on a 2006 non-Bose GT, I'd be more willing to consider investing in one.

[skeletor]

OK so back to the 2004- is this kit (http://www.ebay.ca/itm/2004-2009-Mazda-3-Double-Din-Radio-Installation-Dash-Kit-/330657667876?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A2004%7CMake%3AMazda%7CModel%3A3&hash=item4cfcbb9b24#ht_500wt_1054) what I'm looking for? Does that tab at the top cover the LCD screen? Some of the others on ebay don't have that tab.

[Impressive]

OK so back to the 2004- is this kit (http://www.ebay.ca/itm/2004-2009-Mazda-3-Double-Din-Radio-Installation-Dash-Kit-/330657667876?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A2004%7CMake%3AMazda%7CModel%3A3&hash=item4cfcbb9b24#ht_500wt_1054) what I'm looking for? Does that tab at the top cover the LCD screen? Some of the others on ebay don't have that tab.

Yup that's what you'd want for your '04.

[skeletor]

Awesome, just ordered one. Thanks!

[djsebzilla]

Ok so if I only put an 07 LCD screen than could do the wiring to keep all infos with aftermarket decks ? Can't be that easy right ?

[Impressive]

Ok so if I only put an 07 LCD screen than could do the wiring to keep all infos with aftermarket decks ? Can't be that easy right ?

Wait, you want to swap a different model LCD screen into your car? If it's an 04 or 05, as explained earlier, you cannot separate it from your headunit. This goes along with its wiring I would naturally assume.

[aris]

Wait, you want to swap a different model LCD screen into your car? If it's an 04 or 05, as explained earlier, you cannot separate it from your headunit. This goes along with its wiring I would naturally assume.
+1

[djsebzilla]

Wait, you want to swap a different model LCD screen into your car? If it's an 04 or 05, as explained earlier, you cannot separate it from your headunit. This goes along with its wiring I would naturally assume.

We are talking with an aftermarket radio of course :P

[Impressive]

We are talking with an aftermarket radio of course :P

Yup, still no dice.

[djsebzilla]

Yup, still no dice.

Damn it -_-