The short-lived Acura RSX -- built for 2002 to 2006 model years – wasn’t all that dissimilar from the Honda Civic. In fact, despite its ties to the Integra, one could probably argue that it was effectively a Civic on visual and mechanical steroids. The extra $4,200 in the base price of the RSX was well deserved for the styling, luxury and power, but Acura sure didn’t offer much for style when it came to the stock radio. Nobody could blame you for wanting to rid your beautiful car of that ugly, lackluster, single-line-display radio.
No matter whether you’re installing a stock replacement radio or just temporarily removing your current radio, you'll need that radio's security code before proceeding. If you don’t have the security code, you can obtain it from Honda’s Navicode website.
If you have a Type-S model with the premium sound package, you'll need to purchase a dash kit as well. The installation proccess is almost the same. On Type-S models you have to transfer the radio bracket and hazard switch from the stock radio to the dash kit. To do this, simply remove the retaining screws for each and snug them, when the bracket and hazard switch is installed, onto the dash kit.
Loosen the cable with a battery wrench, or an 8mm socket and ratchet. Remove the cable from the battery and isolate it from the negative battery terminal.
Find the holes at the bottom of the trim panel that surround the 12-volt accessory socket. Reach your fingers into the holes and give a slight tug on the panel – it should pop out. Disconnect the wiring harness from the accessory socket, then set the panel aside.
The holes in the trim panel are directly above the cup holder.
You now have access to the radio bracket bolts. It is a tight fit in there, so remove the two exposed bolts using a flexible ratchet extension paired with a ratchet and 8mm socket.
Reach your hand into the dash and push outward, toward the rear of the vehicle, on the radio assembly. Focus more pressure on the driver's side of the radio than the passenger's side.
Remove any clips that came out of the dash from the radio assembly. Press the clips back into place on the dash.
Disconnect the wiring harness for the radio and remove the antenna wire. Squeeze the locking tab on the hazard-switch harness to disconnect it from the switch.
Remove the 8mm bolts that secure the radio to the radio bracket. Slide the radio outward from the assembly.
You may have to remove the screws for the hazard switch to reach the innermost bolt on that side of the radio.
Slide the radio into place. Align the mounting holes on the new radio with the holes in the radio bracket, then install the radio’s retaining bolts and snug them. Remember to install and tighten the hazard switch screws, if you removed them.
Match the wire colors on the harness adapter with the wire colors in the new radio’s harness. Slide a 1/2-inch portion of heatshrink tubing onto each wire in one of the harnesses. Twist the like-colored wires together, then slide the portion of heatshrink over each exposed wire joint. Shrink the tubing by holding a lit lighter at least six inches below the tubing. Quit applying heat to the tubing when it fits tight around the existing insulation, making an air-tight seal.
For better joint strength use butt connectors with heatshrink insulation, or solder the wire joints for maximum strength and conductivity.
Plug the wiring harness adapter into the stock radio harness and the stock radio harness into the radio. Install an antenna adapter, if needed, then plug the antenna wire into the radio. Connect the remaining harness to the hazard light switch.
Align the pins on the radio assembly with the clips in the dash, then press-fit the assembly into the dash. Install the two bracket bolts that you removed in Step 2 and snug them.
Do not skip installing these bracket bolts. Omitting them may make it easier to remove the radio later, but without them the radio assembly may eject from the dash in a collision.
Plug the wiring harness into the 12-volt accessory socket. Align the pins on the trim with the clips in the dash, then press-fit the trim panel to the dash.
Connect the negative battery cable to the battery. Tighten the bolt to 13 foot-pounds, if you have a torque wrench. Otherwise, just snug the bolt. The first time you start your RSX, it may idle or shift differently than what you're used to. This variation is a relearn cycle for the adaptive idle and shift control system. Everything will return to normal within five minutes of driving.
