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Old 02-19-2012, 12:31 AM   #1
hazmat101
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Default 2012 Impreza stereo replacement

Earlier this week I replaced the deck in my 2012 Impreza Base 5 door. I spent a good 20 minutes trying to find screws or some kind of area to pry the face off. What ended up working was pulling with great force from the top and working my way down.

Interesting note while replacing the stereo, the A/C control is MANUAL on the car. This was really surprising as my 2002 Hyundai Elantra even had electric controls.

Wiring harness and dash kit from the 2008+ Impreza kit worked like a champ. I usd the existing metal stereo mount from the stock deck in lieu of the plastic one that came with the kit.

Here is the finished product.



Right side linkage. I was able to unhook from the white lever easily with plyers and a tiny screwdriver.



Pic of the driver side linkage


Dash almost put back together
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Old 02-21-2012, 08:10 PM   #2
iLoki
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Thanks for putting this up! Does the radio sound any better after changing the head unit?

I'm going to be ordering a 5dr Sport Premium this weekend, and if the radio is as bad as people say it is I will be changing it asap lol.
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Old 02-22-2012, 12:52 AM   #3
hazmat101
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Yes. I am definitely not an audiophile, but the stock HU sounded terrible! The new deck has made a world of difference.
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Old 02-22-2012, 01:08 AM   #4
SVXdc
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Which OEM HU (what are the model numbers on the front and labels)?
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Old 02-22-2012, 11:55 AM   #5
rryyddeerr
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you, sir, are a boss. i now have the cajones to replace my own head unit. thanks for putting this up.
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Old 02-22-2012, 03:35 PM   #6
phenryiv1
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The manual HVAC controls were a similar PITA on my '08 Legacy 2.5i SE. I somehow got the post out of the channel and it was a headache to get back on place. Once I figured it out the first time it was not too hateful in the future.
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Old 02-22-2012, 05:28 PM   #7
hazmat101
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OEM Head Unit is a Clarion PF-3381A-A.

Interesting thing I found when reading the model on the stock HU is that it includes technology owned and licensed by Microsoft. Looks like MS is not only in Fords now.
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Old 02-23-2012, 10:26 AM   #8
iLoki
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Has anybody swapped out the HU on the premium or limited? I'm curious if the center console aux/usb inputs still work afterwards.

Last edited by iLoki; 02-23-2012 at 10:56 AM.
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Old 02-23-2012, 04:30 PM   #9
2012subisport
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hazmat101 View Post
OEM Head Unit is a Clarion PF-3381A-A.

Interesting thing I found when reading the model on the stock HU is that it includes technology owned and licensed by Microsoft. Looks like MS is not only in Fords now.

PF-3381a-a is a service manual from my search.
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Old 02-23-2012, 08:39 PM   #10
dorkbert
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hazmat101 View Post
OEM Head Unit is a Clarion PF-3381A-A.
Can you kindly share some photos of the stock head unit?
I am trying to find out what connections are available in the rear before making plans and tearing into mine.
Many thanks in advance.
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Old 02-24-2012, 09:35 AM   #11
HBamps
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I REALLY want to swap out the HU in my premium sedan. I just added a 5 channel amp, sub, and new front components. Sounds alot better but this head unit just does not sound very good. I love it's functionality (bluetooth, steering wheel control, ipod) but it's just not cutting it. Problem is, it's expensive to replace HU and keep all that functionality.

I guess about $300 for the HU, $150-ish in harnessing, $200-ish for installation...??
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Old 02-24-2012, 09:42 AM   #12
iLoki
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$150 is WAY too much in harnessing.. the harness and dash kits for the 08+ impreza work and can be had for $50 to $60, less depending on where you order (SonicElectronix for example will give you a free dash kit and charge $7 for a $30 harness)

$200 for install is also probably a little steep, but not unreasonable if they're running a gps antenna, the new bluetooth mic and such for you, if not I don't see an install running $200 for you if all they have to do is pull the dash off and hook the new head unit up. From what I've seen, the install shouldn't be too difficult, I'll be doing my own once I have my car.
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Old 02-25-2012, 02:57 AM   #13
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I'll post pics tomorrow. Been busy with work....
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Old 02-25-2012, 07:57 PM   #14
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I am actually in the process of my own upgrade (stock 6 type "b" to all 3 factory upgrades) and I'm curious how you got the radio bezel to come loose. "Pulled with great force from the top"...could you elaborate?

Without special tools but a good kit of sockets, bits and regular household tools, how would one go about applying great force to the top without notching the plastic or cracking it or scratching up the area. I tried inserting a screwdriver at the bottom and pulling to positively no effect....I tried a wide scraper tool inserted across the entire bottom and pulling...it doesnt even budge. Does one need to unhook the HVAC controls first?

Thanks in advance!

Last edited by crazypete; 02-25-2012 at 11:27 PM.
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Old 03-04-2012, 03:05 PM   #15
SVXdc
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hazmat101 View Post
OEM Head Unit is a Clarion PF-3381A-A.
What are the other model numbers? -- front (CMxxx) and Subaru P/N (86201xxx)

Does the front look like this? http://www.cars101.com/subaru/imprez...12-stereo5.JPG

ADDED: Other #s are:

Front: CM601U1
Clarion: PF-3381A-A
Subaru: 86201FJ600
Rear: MR60
(no FCC ID, because no built-in BT)

This is the base-level HU, so it uses the older-style 8-pin socket for aux (no mic).

Last edited by SVXdc; 08-13-2016 at 07:17 PM.
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Old 03-04-2012, 05:48 PM   #16
FourOhFour
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SVXdc View Post
What are the other model numbers? -- front (CMxxx) and Subaru P/N (86201xxx)

Is the front look like this? http://www.cars101.com/subaru/imprez...12-stereo5.JPG
The radio in my Premium (different from his base model) looks like that. Part number 86201FJ620, model on the top label PF-3386A-A, front CM621UB. And for completeness, FCC ID AX2PF3292.


IMG_0301 by FourOhFour, on Flickr

As I recall, the top plug and the two bottom white plugs were occupied. I won't swear to it in court, but I believe the black one was vacant.

I ended up buying a techinfo.subaru.com pass to get the wire diagram, in hopes of finding a speed sense line in the vicinity. Ends up there's most everything you could want for an aftermarket stereo on either the main 20 pin or the 16 pin, including reverse (16 on the 16 pin), parking brake (15 on the 16 pin), and a wire to VDC CM that I believe is speed sense (19 on the 20 pin). So no excuse for not connecting the parking brake line correctly for video head units. Aux is also on the 16 pin, pins 3, 4, 10, 11, and 12. I haven't figured out which pins are which, but 3, 4, and 11 are likely to be actual audio with 11 being the common.
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Old 03-06-2012, 01:35 AM   #17
SVXdc
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Rear connectors are the same as the 2011 model shown here.

I also noticed the shop manual showed VSS on pin 19 on the 20-pin harness. But that may not be present on all models. Another 2012 owner told me his didn't have it.

Correct on the aux pins. 3 = left, 4 = right, 11 = audio ground. 12 is the enable switch (which you won't need with an aftermarket HU).

I'm a step closer to being able to make aux adapters again. So if you'd rather not hack your factory wires, shoot me an e-mail (see link to my homepage)
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Old 03-06-2012, 02:37 AM   #18
SVXdc
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In the last couple of years there have been a bunch that look mostly the same.

So since hazmat101 has a different model, the question remains...

Quote:
Originally Posted by hazmat101 View Post
OEM Head Unit is a Clarion PF-3381A-A.
What are your other model numbers? -- front, Subaru P/N, and short number on the back

UPDATE: Added info to my previous post (#15, above)

Last edited by SVXdc; 08-13-2016 at 07:18 PM.
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Old 03-06-2012, 04:29 AM   #19
ZURCALED12
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I am going to change my unit to the AVIC-X920BT wich is VERY similar to the 930BT and also check this out, the OEM HEAD UNIT in CANADIAN versions of the 2012 Impreza 2.0i
the only difference is that their part number is AVIC-X9310BT because is SPECIFICALLY made for SUBARU CANADA.
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Old 03-06-2012, 06:47 AM   #20
FourOhFour
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SVXdc View Post
Rear connectors are the same as the 2011 model shown here.

I also noticed the shop manual showed VSS on pin 19 on the 20-pin harness. But that may not be present on all models. Another 2012 owner told me his didn't have it.
The wire was present on my harness, but I can't prove it is actually doing anything. But, after connecting it to my head unit, I think the GPS is responding sooner to speed changes, so I think it's working...

Quote:
I'm a step closer to being able to make aux adapters again. So if you'd rather not hack your factory wires, shoot me an e-mail (see link to my homepage)
Cool, but I'm probably going to pull out the aux pod thing and just run my own wires there... I'll probably never actually use it, but since the head unit I got supports video from my iPhone, I figure I should have the plugs for that available.
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Old 03-06-2012, 07:06 PM   #21
ZURCALED12
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Cool

Quote:
Originally Posted by ZURCALED12 View Post
I am going to change my unit to the AVIC-X920BT wich is VERY similar to the 930BT and also check this out, the OEM HEAD UNIT in CANADIAN versions of the 2012 Impreza 2.0i
the only difference is that their part number is AVIC-X9310BT because is SPECIFICALLY made for SUBARU CANADA.
I meant to say Model no. instead of part number. The factory blue tooth mic wires should be in that harness as well as the steering wheel controls.
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Old 03-07-2012, 11:51 AM   #22
ashio
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Default 2012 Base 2.0i with Pioneer AVH-3300BT

This my 2nd post so please spare me for being a newbie to the forum (Although I did joined the forum back in 2007).

3 days ago I was doing a complete dash and console pull-out, when the weather and time stop cooperating that i had to stop and put it aside. So for the last 3 days I have been driving my 2012 around -10Celsius for the last 3 days without heat, fan, and radio. it wasn't too bad, but it does felt amusing/weird that other drivers could see all your breathing and your hot coffee.

Last nite, finally time cooperated and the mercury did rise to a full 5 degree Celssius. I managed a good 2.5 hours to wrap up the replacement of the Factory HU.

Really wanna to say thank to hazmat101 for this thread as well other and many other. Of course it was pita to sort through the vast amount information available and try to relate it to the 2012. But this has made my first stereo installation (ever in any car) a perfect one with absolutely no hiccup.

For those who look to replacing their factory HU - straight forward like a piece of cake. Once you have collect all details, you can start eating the cake already. The dash, the console, the wiring, and everything were out and back on to factory professional look.

My stereo replacement - Base 2012 2.0i (Canada odometer=540km) replaced with Pioneer AVH-3300BT (really just because we need a descent bluetooth)

The metra dash kit for 2008+ impreza worked good. You still have to use the factory metal mounting mounting bracket. I had to "mod" the plastic brackets from the dash kit, and screwed both over the factory brackets so that the bezel/trim would sit fit firm over the after market HU. Not sure if hazmat101 did the same thing, it wasn't visible from his photo. Final fit and look against the factory dash/bezel is pretty descent. Though I would be interested in getting a complete dash/bezel that come with the premium/limited 2012 with Nav (which come with same Pioneer for up here in Canada).

The scosche NN04B wiring harness made a perfect transition like Hazmat said. At least for the base 2012. The car 20 pin wiring harness and colour code is just about 99% same to the 2011 and older.

So far the pioneer is great. Bluetooth is crystal clear, menu is quick and responsive ... none of that voice activated stuffs where voice recognition can be a pita. My blackberry's phone book show up on screen before i even realize it did.

For sound quality - I didn't get to mess around much with the factory hu (car currently has 500km) so can't speak for how the pioneer compares. But as far as i know Pioneer sound systems are the those of the best system since it name in electronic. Surely will beat the Clarion.

My only complaint is the screen which does wash out easily in bright light. But this would be the same for any thing else. It was also a bonus that you can change the illumination to match that of the impreza.

When time allow i will post additional infos/photo that i may be immediately handy for those looking to replace their. And will gladly answer questions if i can.
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Old 03-08-2012, 01:02 PM   #23
iLoki
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A photo of how you modified the dash kit's ISO brackets would be super helpful!
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Old 03-08-2012, 02:15 PM   #24
ashio
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Default Installing the Metra dash kit

Not so much of a mod, but you will have to trim/cut the kit plastic bracket so it will allow a fitting over the factory bracket.

Snap off the two tabs. Use a heavy duty scissor/snipper and cut the brackets so it will look like these. The plastic will cut easy.


The factory bracket will go on like this.


The kit bracket will then go over the factory.


First put the HU upside down (not face down). Mount the factory bracket to the HU, use an adhesive to keep it on. Assemble the dash kit. Slide it down on the HU, with the plastic brackets flex and bend over the metal bracket. then push the bezel flush against the HU. Mount and tighten the screws.

The fourth screw hole won't fit in this HU as you can see.

You don't have to use these plastic bracket, but the front bezel will be slight loose against the HU screen, and will not centered.

Last edited by ashio; 03-08-2012 at 02:47 PM.
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Old 03-08-2012, 03:12 PM   #25
ZURCALED12
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Unhappy What size is the radio bezel?

On the Canadian models, since they offer the pioneer AVIC-X9310BT as an option, are their radio bezels the correct size of an aftermarket radio, like the Japanese version?
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