NA Audio question

[Purfler]

I have a '93 LE with the radio/cassette and separate, but connected, CD. The CD does not work, which is not a great problem as I just listen the radio, but it bugs me. I took it out and apart. Not sue how to describe this, but there is a small platter that drops down on the top of the CD to hold it in place while it spins. The bearing on mine is gone and the platter spindle is loose in the now OS hole. I guess the chances of getting spares are about zero, don't suppose anyone has any experience?

I thought I'd leave the CD unit out while I tried to find parts. However, without it fitted there is almost no output to the speakers. I had wondered about getting an after market CD player (but I'd prefer to keep it looking original) but now wonder if that would even work as the rest of the unit clearly needs the CD player to be there to work. Again, anyone with experience with this.

I know I could just replace everything, but as I said above, I'd rather keep it original even if the CD doesn't work (see my opening comment).

Thanks,

Tim

[taminga16]

Hi Tim,
My partner wanted the use of an iPOD in our second MX5 and to retain originality we purchased one of these, the output is mounted in the glove compartment with no unsightly cables and has the added bonus of the iPOD being out of sight. Operation is as simple as selecting a pre-set radio frequency, switching the unit on connecting and operating the Ipod as per.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001QBG614/ref ... _pe_vfe_t1
Greg.

[Purfler]

Greg,

Thanks for the suggestion - really nice lateral thinking!

Tim

[rpost77]

If your radio is the standard Panasonic Radio/Cassette (I'm guessing it is) then to use the radio without the CD player you have to short out some of the pins in the 13 pin DIN connector (the round connector the CD plugs into).

Standard radios without the CD connected came with a round blanking plug with 4 pins that essentially provides the shorting function and covers the plug.

Apparently you can also get an Aux In connector made up to insert into this connector for connecting an iPod etc. (check Miata.net forums - search for posts in the Audio forum for Jeff Anderson (he apparently can service/repair/upgrade stock radios and one of his services is an Aux in circuit)).

If you need the blanking/shorting plug I have a spare (my now dead original radio).

Also, there is a procedure to short 2 connections in this 13 pin plug to stop the "radio won't turn on when it's humid" issue (I had this problem and resolved by using the shorting method - used a paperclip to short pins 5 & 11 (from memory)).

Have a look at this page for details of the MX5 radios and connectors:-

http://mazda-speed.com/faq/audio/

Another alternative would be to install a new radio - I have just done this - I installed a Clarion CX609A - Double Din radio and the only one I could find that fits in really well with the dash - looks more "stock radio" like than any other I could find.

It's sound is far superior to the stock panasonic, incorporates a CD and also has a USB cable connected to the rear (I have routed this cable under the centre console and have my iPod connected in the arm rest box in the middle - the CX609A can drive the iPod from it's controls). I intend connecting headrest speakers to the rear speaker outputs (haven't done this yet).

If you decide to keep the stock radio and need the plug, let me know if you want my spare (I am in Sydney).

[Purfler]

Thanks rpost77 for the very detailed and helpful reply. The offer of the blanking plug is much appreciated. If its not a problem I''ll take you up on it. As I said, this isn't a big issue - I just listen to the radio going to and from work, and in the MX5 I'd rather listen to the intake and exhaust than a hifi system anyway

I'll PM you about getting the plug.

Regards and thanks,

Tim