CAN BUS interface question

[Five Points]

OK, So I am wanting to get an alpine CDA 9856 head unit so I can interface my Ipod and get serius radio. The car audio store I went to thinks I need some sort of CAN BUS interface or else I will experience electronic issues (warning lights going off, etc). I have an 05' SXT with the single disk cd player. I don't think I need any CAN BUS interface, but wanted to make sure with you experts here. All I have is the factory REF single disk cd player that came in the 05 SXT's. no factory amp, uconnect, etc etc.

Any help for me? I figured I'd just need the wiring harness, ipod cable, serius interface, and a dash kit. Am I wrong?

[SmoovC]

I was poking around in my '05 SXT Magnum on Saturday; as far as I can tell, all you need is what you said: kit, harness, etc. You will, however, need to pull accessory power off of the cig lighter plug below the heater controls.

[linuxkidd]

Without a CAN Bus interface, you will set DTC ( Diagnostic Trouble Codes ) in several of the modules in the car. HOWEVER... these aren't critical errors, and from what I've seen... Will not cause your 'Service Engine' light to come on. When you go to get work done, if the dealer hooks up the StarScan, they will see SEVERAL 'Lost communication with RADIO' messages, from several different modules. If they know what they're doing, they will understand what that means, and that it's nothing to worry about. If they don't know.. You may need to explain to them that it's just because you've installed an Aftermarket Radio, and it is not a critical error.. ( And for that matter, won't cause any problems with any other system in the vehicle ).

LK

[JamminWagon]

I have my SXT radio out for over a year, no CEL, and when I had the foglamps enabled, there wernt any out dated or outstanding error messages.

[Five Points]

You will, however, need to pull accessory power off of the cig lighter plug below the heater controls.

Is this pretty easy to do? Just wondering as I'd like to do this myself and save $55+ on installation charges

Thanks for all the info. You've all been very helpful

[linuxkidd]

Ya.. It's VERY easy...

If you pop open your Ash tray ( the lil tray in the center of the bottom of the Center console ), You can get your fingers under the bottom lip of the center console cover. PULL! It takes some force, and it will sound like your breaking it.. But, you'll pop the retaining clips loose... The lower section will pop out first ( AC Controls section ). After this, move up the sides of the bezel w/ your fingers and pull.. Again, some force is required.

Once you have the entire bezel loose, You'll need to disconnect the wires that connect to your AC Controls** and the Hazard Light Control / Pasenger Airbag light, etc.. ( right under the vents at the top ). And if your have a 300, You'll need to disconnect the Clock...

**AC Controls: If you do NOT have the dual climate control, there is a heavy guage connector close to the blower control knob on the back of the AC Controller. If you look at the release part of that connector, you'll notice that there's a flat red bar at the part closest to the socket on the controller. You MUST pull this flat red bar TOWARD the wire side of the connector. It will extend, and unlock the connector's release button. If you don't do this, and try to remove the connector.. YOU WILL BREAK STUFF!

OK.. Now, that the entire bezel has been disconnected and removed, You can take the 2 screws loose that hold the Lower trim peice ( and the Ash tray / Cig lighter assembly ) in place. Pull the two screws at the top of the peice, and then it will pop out ( it has a retaining clip or two aside from the screws ).

When you pop that out, You'll need to disconnect the wires going to the Heated seat controls ( if applicable ) and the power feed to the Cig Lighter socket.

This will give you PLENTY of room to tap into the cig lighter power wire to get your ACC power supply for the new Head Unit...

Install is reverse of removal..

**EDIT: One more note... You need to make sure that the Cig Lighter Power is actually ACC controlled, and not Constant on... This is changed by a fuse in the trunk / cargo area fuse block. The fuse for the Cig Lighter has two positions.. one is ACC Controlled, one is Constant on.. Just swing the fuse the other way for the correct operation if it's not configured correctly.

LK