Antenna Switch

Why use the radio when you have Napster and a CD-RW drive? I very rarely have the patience to sit through 10 minutes of commercials so I can hear an overplayed song, so I listen to CDs a good 95% of the time. It's pointless to have an unused antenna slide up and down every time the car starts, only to be blasted by the elements and bent by the wind. I stole this design from Matt, but it's a good one and isn't that hard to implement. I wish I had pictures of the procedure, you have to take apart a good part of the center console to get to the radio, and once you're there it takes some work to get the radio and dash-pocket assembly out...but then a utility knife and a snap-in switch (this one is from Home Depot, Radio Shack doesn't make the all-black ones anymore) give you a very discreet, out of the way and sweet looking antenna switch.

Due to popular demand and my having a chance to do things more properly, we now have some pics to explain the process more thoroughly. If you really want to get nuts, while you have the center console and radio out you should also wire up a Maintenance Switch, just buy two switches and plan on a little more work. The "right" way involves doing more than just twisting wires together, like I used to do...Matt has taught me the martial art of soldering, though if you're a mechanical connect type, some quick-connects would be decent as well. Finally, let me encourage you to click on The Integra Specific Audio Page's Stock Wiring Diagram (will open in new window), to give you a roadmap of all the wires you're going to encounter.

Basic Ingredients are:

A switch (one with nice fat quick-connect tabs on the back is dandy, the one I use is a snap-in type from Home Depot)

Wire (Nothing too big or small, remember it's much easier to solder when the internal wires that make up the wire are very fine, rather than thick).

A utility knife, or dremel if you have surgeon's hands.

Soldering equipment

At least 2 quick disconnect female tabs for the back of your switch, more if you're not going to solder.

Take out the center console. (start at the rear, 4 screws on side and 2 under plate under parking brake, then two on sides of console in footwells, take off shift knob). Once you've gotten this off, get under there and remove the two pain in the ass 8mm bolts that hold the radio and pocket assembly in place. Slide out the radio, and disconnect the rear wiring harness and antenna wire. (The antenna wire is for reception, not for your POWER ANTENNA. Just so we're clear).

Remove the plastic pocket from the radio, and measure your switch. Cut a hole in the back of the plastic pocket wherever you want the switch, here's a rectangular switch with a hole cut on the side of the pocket (will be drivers side). Don't forget to check what positions are ON and OFF, so you have them the way you want them.

Now, find the power antenna wire, which is yellow with a green stripe. Cut it, leaving enough room to solder or put a quick-connect, and strip the wires accordingly.

Take your extension wire, 6 inches to a foot is more than enough, depends on how much slack you want. Don't make it too short, or it'll be a pain to put in when the radio gets in it's hard to access hole. Much easier to plug in while you've got full access and then put the radio in. Solder the wires together.

Once you've extended your two wires and put the two quick connects on the ends of the extentions, all that remains is to plug it in!

Our two quick connects fit snugly over the male tabs on the back of the switch, and we've got a function antenna switch. Put it all back together, and you get...

A sweet, discreet antenna switch.

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