DIY Adding USB Port For 2006+ Civic DX, LX, EX, SI

[mush360]

Originally Posted by FlyingBrickyard

It's been almost 3 months, did they ever respond to that question?

I've been looking things over more lately, and I'm starting to feel a bit hopeful.

There definitely is a difference in the display abilities between the 06-08 and the 09 model non-navi head units though, based on what the owner's manuals for the cars say.

But the pre 09 HUs might still be functional enough for text display.

Sorry about the long delay, it's finals at school and I was planning to follow up on this thread once exams are over. DICE electronics is the only one that supports fully functioning text display, however there are several conditions that must be meet: you must have an IPOD, you must have SAT radio, and the final catch is the SAT radio must be disconnected in order for the module to send text to the head unit.

I've spoken to all USB module manufacturers about enabling text on their Honda head units and they all said the same thing "not yet available" with one further saying that the head unit (Honda's radio text display) are supposingly "locked" (like proprietary cell phones). Until Honda, or the manufacturer of their radios releases the information we unfortunately won't have text display. It'll probably be a matter of time (hopefully soon) that these manufacturers will be able to get the text display to work.

A few USB module manufacturers that have not been mentioned in this forum have been popping up and I have yet to review them. Ideally, there would be a module out there that not only supports text, USB drivers, IPODs (and charges the IPOD), and bluetooth with call display (call displayed as text on the head unit), if someone finds this before me and posts it here -props to you!

~mush360~

[FlyingBrickyard]

All good stuff to know, thanks for the update.

And thanks again for the great DIY and for hunting down all of that information.

[ortivt6]

I want these... but damn thats a lot of work....

[8thhere]

looks complex, and you are rather professional, you even have the gloves.

[lonely1126]

nicee.. maybe ill do this to my girls car..

[splew]

Originally Posted by mush360

Sorry about the long delay, it's finals at school and I was planning to follow up on this thread once exams are over. DICE electronics is the only one that supports fully functioning text display, however there are several conditions that must be meet: you must have an IPOD, you must have SAT radio, and the final catch is the SAT radio must be disconnected in order for the module to send text to the head unit.
~mush360~

That's pretty much the same as all of the aftermarket ipod/iphone link kits I've seen, to get text info you need the XM ready "premium" sound system found only on the Si models and the EX coupe. So I guess the 06-08 standard sound system has no way to display text since it isn't compatible with satellite radio.

[xRivalNightTime]

Ok, I'm sorry if it's been posted but...

I can't seem to find the OEM USB port. I looked on Honda's website, College Hills Honda, and Majestic Honda and I just can't find it. Anyone have a link?

[09redlineorangepearl]

My 09 si has this port and i was wondering if there was any way to keep this port working once i got a new head unit?

[splew]

Originally Posted by 09redlineorangepearl

My 09 si has this port and i was wondering if there was any way to keep this port working once i got a new head unit?

Most aftermarket head units have a USB input, usually in the back. You could probably do some custom fabricating to connect your factory USB port to the head unit USB port.

[CHHS68]

I know for sure JVC has a few HUs with USB in the front. If you have a flash drive plugged in, people tend to ask why your CD player has a boner, but it's the greatest thing I've ever owned (music wise).

[sbddude]

Nice DIY, thanks. What happens when you plug in an ipod?

[HFPK20]

thank you so much. i was wondering how to add the usb

[rastasquid]

So maybe I missed something, but everyone keeps saying that the lack of text display for songs is a limitation of the head unit, not the usb interface. How could this be? When I put a cd into my head unit it displays artist name, and track name, if you press the "disp" button on the unit. If the unit can do this, why can't it do the same with the data coming in via USB?

[JosephSi]

good write up! thanks!

[theslowfa5]

seems like a lot of work for an extra usb port

[ryyiann]

can i pay you to do this for me?

[justfloorit]

this is very awesome, and a great alternative to the crappy music link honda offers.

[102dalz]

Where'd you buy the Xcarlink?

[Buford]

I have a 2010 Civic LX, and I'm curious if the trim levels that come with USB pre-installed use the same head unit. If so, it might be as simple as running a cable to the unit. I was bored one day and removed the center console and there does appear to be a cable with a grey plug running to about halfway between the dash and the armrest that isn't connected to anything. Could that potentially be a USB header? I didn't take a close look at it at the time so I don't really have any more detail than that.

[Buford]

I just removed the console to find what I was talking about, but it appears I was wrong. It looks like it's part of the SRS wiring.

The question still stands, though - if the head unit is the same and therefore supports a USB connection, there may be a way to wire a USB cable to it.