[Hmrdavidson]

Hello, I have a 2013 Nissan Altima SL and I want to install an android head unit and I found this one. My concerns are:

1. The pictures say it isn't compatible with cars with airbags, which doesn't make sense to me, as aren't all modern cars required to have airbags?. Will it technically work, but I won't have a place to put the airbag light? Will I lose by airbag functionality?
2. How I can hook up the reverse camera to the head unit, or will I have to add a new reverse camera.
3. Will Apple CarPlay work just by using a USB cable directly to the head unit, or is it wireless?
4. Will the installation just be plug and play, or is there anything I will need to buy separate to this head unit?
5. What features will I lose if I install this?

I'd very much appreciate it if someone here could answer all my questions. If there's any more details, I should provide, please let me know.

 

[luzmina]

I have one in my 13 S, the unit does not have a passenger airbag light socket, so I drill a small hole in the location of the indicator and glue the stock socket behind so the passenger airbag warning light can be seen, the unit is plug and play but the overhead mic will not work unless you feed it with 5 volts, you can use the 5 volts from one of the USB, maybe they fix this issue with the new ones but mine is 6 years old. The steering controls work fine and the instrument cluster screen too.

 

[Hmrdavidson]

I have one in my 13 S, the unit does not have a passenger airbag light socket, so I drill a small hole in the location of the indicator and glue the stock socket behind so the passenger airbag warning light can be seen, the unit is plug and play but the overhead mic will not work unless you feed it with 5 volts, you can use the 5 volts from one of the USB, maybe they fix this issue with the new ones but mine is 6 years old. The steering controls work fine and the instrument cluster screen too.

If you could provide a picture of this to help me better understand, that would be great.

 

[luzmina]

When you take the OEM unit out you will see the passenger airbag connector, you need to unplug it to get the radio out, is easy to follow, just make sure the ignition is off or you will trigger the red airbag light that turn off only with a scanner that reset the Nissan airbag light. The blue arrow is were I drill a small hole 2mm to see the yellow passenger airbag indicator. I glue the socket behind using silicone.

 

[Hmrdavidson]

When you take the OEM unit out you will see the passenger airbag connector, you need to unplug it to get the radio out, is easy to follow, just make sure the ignition is off or you will trigger the red airbag light that turn off only with a scanner that reset the Nissan airbag light. The blue arrow is were I drill a small hole 2mm to see the yellow passenger airbag indicator. I glue the socket behind using silicone.
View attachment 104452

Thanks for the reply and will use your advice when I install it. I may post some pictures to help others that would like to do this.

 

[NTCTek]

Yeah if you disconnect the passenger airbag light, it will set a DTC and your main airbag lamp will turn on.

 

[Hmrdavidson]

Update on my install

TLDR: head unit did not work at all

Head unit arrived today in very bad packaging. Upon opening the box I found the head unit broken in multiple places. I tried installing the head unit anyways and most of the connectors fit there was only a few unconnected ones. I disconnected the battery before doing anything. I installed all the wires and needed connectors and upon reconnecting the battery I blew the 20 amp fuse that goes to the radio circuit. I replaced the fuse with a spare 20 amp one I had and it blew again. I then put in a 25 amp fuse and same thing so next was a 30 amp and same result. After all this I decided to reinstall the original head unit and put the car back together and all works well now. If anyone could tell me if this is a fault of the unit or on my end please let me know.

 

[luzmina]

You can test the unit before install, I always do, there is 2 wires that goes to 12V+ (BATT and ACC), and the ground is the case, apply 12v + to those wires and put an alligator clip to the case of the unit (negative) and test it, there is a legend or label in the back of the unit to help you, do not need to test the speakers, only that the unit powers on, the touch screen works, plays videos, GPS.

 

[Throckmorton]

Upon opening the box I found the head unit broken in multiple places.

The FBI calls that "A Clue"

I tried installing the head unit anyways and most of the connectors fit there was only a few unconnected ones.

Really, connectors are overrated. You don't need no stinkin' connectors!

I installed all the wires and needed connectors and upon reconnecting the battery I blew the 20 amp fuse that goes to the radio circuit. I replaced the fuse with a spare 20 amp one I had and it blew again. I then put in a 25 amp fuse and same thing so next was a 30 amp and same result.

Where did you receive your electrical training? Thank goodness you stopped when you blew the 30 amp fuse, or you may have done serious damage to your car, or melted some wires in a wiring harness.

If anyone could tell me if this is a fault of the unit or on my end please let me know.

My money is on both being at fault, the broken head unit and your complete lack of electrical knowledge.

My advice? Pay someone who knows what they are doing to work on your car, otherwise it WILL become expensive after you melt some wires.

Just because you own a handful of tools does not make you qualified to work on your car, knowledge is the most important tool you can have.