TouchScreen Replacement Guidance

[RubyRod]

The TouchScreen/Stereo/NavSystem in my car needs some help. I think I'd prefer to have it repaired but I'm not confident that's possible. I contacted HiTech in Van Nuys and Techni-Car in Florida but haven't received any responses yet. I haven't found any other websites for repair of these units. If anyone knows of any other repair facilities please post a link or phone number. Here's hoping.

Anyway, assuming that I'll have to replace the TouchScreen with an aftermarket unit I could use some guidance from those who've successfully replace theirs. I DON'T want to replace the OEM Trim Panel with the black plastic panel in the Metra kit. I contacted Crutchfield but they claim that all of the TouchScreen systems they have available for the XLRs require replacement of the OEM Trim Panel with the black plastic panel. I've seen at least one post where an aftermarket TouchScreen was replaced and the OEM trim panel re-used. The post is more than a few years old. It required modifying the mounting brackets and installing a trim panel around the replacement TouchScreen display so it would fit in the OEM trim panel opening. If anyone has done this I could use part numbers and directions for this procedure. The next "issue" is insuring all the functions of the car continue to operate. Apparently the Adaptive Cruise can be disabled when replacing the TouchScreen with an aftermarket unit but I'd like to prevent that. I also want to make sure the Steering Wheel Remote Buttons still operate correctly. I'm sure there are other "functions" in the car that can be affected by replacing the TouchScreen since it's connected to the CAN Bus in the car. I saw a post regarding instructions for replacing the TouchScreen but when I tried to follow the link it popped up a new browser tab trying to connect to a FaceBook page. The FaceBook page never loaded. I'm NOT a FaceBook fan so I'd prefer to avoid it if at all possible.

Thanks for your help.

 

[justdennis]

A few years ago I purchased a new in the box radio/cd changer that was for a 2006 SRX, all the connections are the same as ours and it fits our dash exactly. My CD changer was bad so I replaced my changer with the new one and it works great, all I had to do was switch the mother boards in the CD changer. I still have the radio but I'm not sure the parts are interchangeable. If you're interested PM me.

 

[RubyRod]

So I received a reply from someone who had their touchscreen replaced with an aftermarket system. They had it done at a car audio shop and claim it was done successfully. They provided a contact at the shop that did the replacement and I spoke with one of the guys that did the install. They claim it's a no-brainer. They claim they've done several of the XLRs. Just use the Metra install kit and a touchscreen that's roughly the same size as the OEM touchscreen. They recommended purchasing a receiver from one of the major aftermarket radio brands and staying away from the "off brands". They claim there are less problems with the major brands. I didn't discuss making it work with the OEM center stack trim panel but if I get that far I'll have that conversation. I'll also try some experiments on my own with an aftermarket unit and the OEM trim panel. I REALLY don't want to be stuck with the matte black plastic trim panel from the Metra Kit.

They did claim that they had a problem with the OnStar module when installing the touchscreen in the XLR I inquired about. They "disabled" the OnStar module and it solved the problem. I have no interest in the OnStar so if I have to disable it I won't lose any sleep over it. I didn't ask how the OnStar was disabled but if I get that far and I have a problem with it I'll check back with the gentleman I spoke with at the car audio shop.

I did see a thread from one of the forums where someone installed an aftermarket touchscreen and was able to make the OEM trim panel work. So I believe it's possible. Here's hoping.

 

[Fireduck69]

I installed a Pioneer 8200 back 10 years ago using the original dash plate. Used Metra Electronics 95-6511 install kit filler panels with some modifications.​

Search AppRadio 4 on this forum for lots of discussion on this subject.

 

[RubyRod]

I installed a Pioneer 8200 back 10 years ago using the original dash plate. Used Metra Electronics 95-6511 install kit filler panels with some modifications.​

Search AppRadio 4 on this forum for lots of discussion on this subject.

Sweet. Will do. My aftermarket touchscreen is scheduled to arrive tomorrow so I'll be starting my install soon. I'll need all the advice I can get.

You mentioned the Metra 95-6611 kit. The Metra kit recommended by several car audio shops for the XLR is the Metra 99-3030B Dash and Wiring Kit. This is the kit I'll be working with. It also has the PAC Steering Wheel Remote Adapter.

My biggest concern is retaining the OEM trim panel. Since your system retained the trim panel I'm hopeful I can figure out how to make it work with my system.

I'll post my results.

 

[Fireduck69]

You will probably find most aftermarket radios are about 3/4 of an inch narrower on each side than the stock XLR trim panel opening is. Yes, use the metra kit for the wiring. But use the 6511 kit for filler panels on each side of the radio to fill the space if you want to use the stock trim. The kit is only two plastic panels and about $13.

 

[RubyRod]

Ah. So that's the trick. The car audio shops I discussed this project with claimed that I wouldn't be able to use the OEM Trim. I'd have to use the Black Metra dash panel. But I suspected that the OEM Trim could be used I just didn't understand where the problem was. I thought the problem was that the touchscreen wouldn't fit properly in the dash. But the problem is filling the opening/space around the touchscreen. That's not as bad as I expected. Hopefully this won't be a months-long project.

Thanks again for the help.