Ultimate Avic-d3/double Din Navi/dvd Install Thread!

[doublezero30]

The following is information ive put together to help ease the installation of my avic-d3. i am posting it here for you, so you dont have to do the endless searching that i have been doing for the past 4 days.

DISCLAIMER********
The following information was gathered by me, myself, and I, but was in no way shape or form written by me. I give all credit to the people and websites I got this information from. I gathered this for installing a Pioneer Avic-D3 navi/dvd double din aftermarket radio, but I would assume that this will work for all double din units(except the bypassing the motion sensor part). I am not held responsible for any of your mistakes. Whether that be messing up your unit, messing up your car, or you ordering parts that are incorrect. Remember, these are the parts I used/will be using for my Avic-D3 install. If you are not installing a D3 than you may want to do a bit more research just to be positive these are the parts you need for your unit.

Parts needed:

-Metra 70-1787 wiring harness
-Metra 99-9102 dash kit (cut the bar in the middle with a dremel to fit your double din radio) OR Scoshe double din dash kit (which seems to fit better, can get on scoshe.com)
-Pioneer adt-va133 mounting bracket (or if youre handy, make your own)
-Metra 40vw53 antenna adapter (if you have an amplified antenna)
-Stereo removal keys

All of the above is available on enfigcarstereo.com except the mounting bracket which can be purchased on bestbuy.com.
-DummptyHummpty’s audio thread located here.

Removing factory radio:


-Tdiclub.com

(not and audi radio but same process, lock the keys in the slots and pull)

Metra wiring harness (a4 96-up):
See what other models these directions can be used by here.

Non-Bose:
Use the White, White/Black, Gray, and
Gray/Black speaker wire for the front speaker
output and use the Green and Purple
RCA’s for the rear speaker outputs. Be sure
to connect the Blue/White wire to the aftermarket
radio’s amp turn-on wire. The White
and Gray RCA’s will not be used.


Bose:
Use the White and Gray RCA’s for the front
speaker output and use the Green and
Purple RCA’s for the rear speaker outputs.
Be sure to connect the Blue/White wire to
the aftermarket radio’s amp turn-on wire.
The White, White/Black, Gray, and Gray/Black
speaker wires will not be used.

For all models with power antennas:
Plug the Blue wire (supplied) in the position
above the Yellow wire. Be sure to connect
the Blue wire to the aftermarket radio’s
antenna turn-on wire.
-Metraonline.com (search for wiring harness part #, then click ‘factory instructions’)


Mounting the GPS antenna:

“Right above the fuse box there is a great place to stick it. The GPS antenna is magnetic so just slap it on the metal support bracket for the dashboard.

I have mine there and it always gets 5-7 satellites”
-Greg@DTH on audizine

Or you can mount it in the trunk as seen here.
-nav-plus.com

Bypassing avic-d3 motion sensor(to play dvd’s while driving):

On the RCA harness (the one with all the component connections), Take the yellow/black wire & pin out and move it to the hole directly above it. Ground that wire along with the green parking brake wire and you’re done.
-avic411.com


Creating a remote turn on/ignition wire:

You can either tap your actual ignition wire or run a wire to the fuse box to a turned on ignition lead. If you don’t use homelink, you can tap into that. Or you can tap into the stock radio power lead. I’m sure there are others but those are the two examples I was given.
-Condo and 3.0LAudiA4 on audizine



Also, check out this tech article for the b5 platform on audiworld.com
-Link provided by Scorneil of audizine.

-----------------------------------
i plan on adding more install pictures and information from doing my install. this wont be for a week or two until i get everything shipped to me. ill keep you posted!

[scorneil]

this is consistent with what I've learned.

what is the remote turn on / ignition wire for (do you just mean switched power?), and where does that connect to the D3 (if something other than switched power)? i haven't seen that in any other instructions...

hope you get the install done and the pics up before i do mine (i think mine will be Dec-22ish)

PS - the trim ring that comes with the D3 does not fit the metra dash kit, nor does it really fit the D3 that well (there's a big gap). will need to do some custom work here (some peeps have trimmed the D3 supplied ring to fit into the metra kit and ignored the gap, others have had a custom ring either made for them or made one themselves). i'm checking prices next week from a shop to see what they would charge to custom make a ring.

[absolutegtr]

Ok hold up....

So the Avic-D3 will work for Bose equipped cars?

I want to go the D3 route badly but do not want to touch my stereo (which I love and is BOSE)

[jon102034050]

Yeah itll work, ive had a D1 installed in my Bose equipped car for almost 2 years now...

[vdubstreets]

what about pics of it installed?

[absolutegtr]

Yeah itll work, ive had a D1 installed in my Bose equipped car for almost 2 years now...

So why does every car installer and pioneer.com say otherwise?

I believe you....just asking

[doublezero30]

So why does every car installer and pioneer.com say otherwise?

I believe you....just asking

not sure. those directions i got directly from the metra website, and they say you can hook it up to bose. so ill believe them. i know some bose systems(like in my old nissan) have amps on the speakers, which means the aftermarket HU sends a amplified signal, then the speaker amplifies it even more, and you get static crap. i had to wire it all crazy to bypass this. but our audis apparently have an amp under the seat or something that power the speakers instead. maybe that is the determining factor to your question.

what about pics of it installed?

i will have pics after i install it. if any members want to add picture of theirs, feel free!

[doublezero30]

what is the remote turn on / ignition wire for (do you just mean switched power?), and where does that connect to the D3 (if something other than switched power)?

that would be the wire that makes it so the D3 turns on only when the ignition/car is on. it goes to the wiring harness, not the d3 itself.

[3.0 Rider]

that would be the wire that makes it so the D3 turns on only when the ignition/car is on. it goes to the wiring harness, not the d3 itself.

sorry if I missunderstood.
With the Symphony II, I was able to turn on the radio without turning on the ignition. Now with the D3 I must turn the ignition/car on. Is there a way to have the D3 work like the Symphony?

[dummptyhummpty]

doublezero30,

Nice thread. It's kind of like the one in my signature. Feel free to copy any relevant info from that thread to here. I have some info about keeping the steering wheel controls. Now that winter break is coming up I will add more info about using the OEM GPS/Sat antenna.

sorry if I missunderstood.
With the Symphony II, I was able to turn on the radio without turning on the ignition. Now with the D3 I must turn the ignition/car on. Is there a way to have the D3 work like the Symphony?

Nope

Ok hold up....

So the Avic-D3 will work for Bose equipped cars?

I want to go the D3 route badly but do not want to touch my stereo (which I love and is BOSE)

Yes.

[3.0L AUDI A4]

Great job for that ^^^^ Good job on the DIY!!!

[pyro]

thanks a lot! i've been waiting on a z2 for some install instructions. now i can get it! w00t!

[scorneil]

sorry if I missunderstood.
With the Symphony II, I was able to turn on the radio without turning on the ignition. Now with the D3 I must turn the ignition/car on. Is there a way to have the D3 work like the Symphony?

I know dummptyhummpty said no, but i'm not sure about that. the d3 harness has wires for both switched (red wire) and constant (yellow wire) power.

[dummptyhummpty]

I know dummptyhummpty said no, but i'm not sure about that. the d3 harness has wires for both switched (red wire) and constant (yellow wire) power.

Yeah your right, I should have been more clear. You probably could wire up a switch that connects the switched to the constant so at times you can have it on with out the key in.

[PCYC]

yes the d3 works with bose i have it with bluetooth there is some ground noise but its not bad unless your an audiopile

[wunder wagon]

I'd like to see some "installed" pics of any of the AVIC series headunits.

[Condo]

http://audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=142389

Check out post #12.

[LavaSurfer]

These threads NEED to be linked in one of the stickys up top. We are posting a lot of good info, but I still see a thread a week asking about this stuff.

[doublezero30]

http://audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=142389

Check out post #12.

do you know what dashkit that is? looks amazing.

These threads NEED to be linked in one of the stickys up top. We are posting a lot of good info, but I still see a thread a week asking about this stuff.

i agree.

[Condo]

do you know what dashkit that is? looks amazing.

I think it's still the same dash kit with a different trim ring. I sent a PM asking how he got it to sit flush like that and never heard back. I guess he just made some custom brackets.

Here is another post with the D3 sitting flush:

http://audizine.com/forum/showpost.p...7&postcount=15

He had a custom install done and mentioned that epoxy was used.

[moo5e]

any idea of the autotoys kit is the same as the metra kit in terms of needing a custom trim ring and looks?

[scorneil]

any idea of the autotoys kit is the same as the metra kit in terms of needing a custom trim ring and looks?

i am pretty sure the autotoys kit shown here http://www.autotoys.com/x/product.php?productid=2465 IS the metra kit

[dummptyhummpty]

These threads NEED to be linked in one of the stickys up top. We are posting a lot of good info, but I still see a thread a week asking about this stuff.

Same with the one in my signature. These questions are always coming up.

[Dafljigga]

Question what is easiier to use a Avic D2 mount or the Pioneer adt-va133 ??

[dummptyhummpty]

Question what is easiier to use a Avic D2 mount or the Pioneer adt-va133 ??

I heard that the D2 mount fits better.

[AudiA4_20T]

3 Things

1. How the hell do the rear speakers hook up? Where do you put those RCA outputs?

2. My D3 only turns on when both the 12V wire and yellow wire are connected to each other. Am I missing some way to turn it on with the accessory?

3. Im missing the North East Disk can anyone burn that and send it to me? I can paypal!

[Condo]

1. Do you have the Bose system? What you hook up depends on what system you have.

2. You have to run a separate ACC wire. I ran mine to the homelink fuse in the fusebox.

3. There isn't a Northeast disc. Just East and West. Are you missing the East?

[AudiA4_20T]

1. Do you have the Bose system? What you hook up depends on what system you have.

2. You have to run a separate ACC wire. I ran mine to the homelink fuse in the fusebox.

3. There isn't a Northeast disc. Just East and West. Are you missing the East?

1. Non-Bose

2. So I dont hook up the yellow wires from the harness to the D3?

3. Affirmative

[Condo]

1. I don't think you use the RCA connections if you have non-bose. I'm not 100% sure because I have the bose system.

2. Connect the yellow wire from the D3 to an ACC connection at the fuseblock. The homelink fuse works for sure.

3. Check ebay for the discs.

[dummptyhummpty]

3 Things

1. How the hell do the rear speakers hook up? Where do you put those RCA outputs?

2. My D3 only turns on when both the 12V wire and yellow wire are connected to each other. Am I missing some way to turn it on with the accessory?

3. Im missing the North East Disk can anyone burn that and send it to me? I can paypal!

1. I'm kind of tired, but I believe there is an amp for the rear speakers on the non-bose system so it should hook up the same way as the Bose system, assuming you have the right harness. Which harness do you have?

2. Don't know much about this I used the PAC SWI-X which takes care of turn on for me.

3. PM Me and I can probably help you out.

[scorneil]

You definitely use the RCA to hook up the rear speakers even without Bose.

[doublezero30]

man! READ MY ORIGINAL POST!

Non-Bose:
Use the White, White/Black, Gray, and
Gray/Black speaker wire for the front speaker
output and use the Green and Purple
RCA’s for the rear

also, i used the ignition wire for my turn on wire. theres a picture of it in the A4mods.com turbo timer writeup. drop the kneebolster and its wrapped up with a bunch of wires on the right kinda above the clutch pedal(assuming your upside down under the dash, and that you have a clutch). unwrap the tape on the wires and spread them, its the really thick black wire.

[LavaSurfer]

Goto the link below and about 3/4 I have posted pictures on how you can hook up your head unit with and with out bose if you do not want to buy a premade harness.

clicky click click

[AudiA4_20T]

man! READ MY ORIGINAL POST!



also, i used the ignition wire for my turn on wire. theres a picture of it in the A4mods.com turbo timer writeup. drop the kneebolster and its wrapped up with a bunch of wires on the right kinda above the clutch pedal(assuming your upside down under the dash, and that you have a clutch). unwrap the tape on the wires and spread them, its the really thick black wire.

dude wtf does that mean? Where do I put the green and purple RCAs?

[AudiA4_20T]

bump for my confusion I have the right harness

[doublezero30]

dude wtf does that mean? Where do I put the green and purple RCAs?

green and purple from the metra harness go to the back of the D3 to the RCA's marked "rear speakers". i take it youve never installed a car stereo before?

[davis449]

green and purple from the metra harness go to the back of the D3 to the RCA's marked "rear speakers". i take it youve never installed a car stereo before?

It certainly doesn't help that they don't tell you left from right, positive from negative for the green and purple RCA's on the instructions for the Audi amp harness. I had to plug them in and test and then switch them and test to make sure it was right. Did my Avic last night and it came out well, but DAMN there were some wires to cram back there! Took a long time, but I don't regret it AT ALL! This is one hell of a HU!

[AudiA4_20T]

green and purple from the metra harness go to the back of the D3 to the RCA's marked "rear speakers". i take it youve never installed a car stereo before?

haha Ive done plenty of them but they usually come with 4 wires that you just connect up. I dont like this RCA business

[LavaSurfer]

Actually, they usually don't come with instructions because all you have to do it match the colors up.....

[davis449]

Actually, they usually don't come with instructions because all you have to do it match the colors up.....

Yeah cause green = red and purple = white...or is the other way around.