Popular with Honda enthusiasts and engine swappers alike, the Acura RSX represents the first of the next generation VTEC engines. If you happen to own a K20 equipped RSX and want to upgrade your stereo, there’s several ways to go about it. You can either take your Acura to a local stereo installer or save money and to it yourself. If you are installing an aftermarket stereo into your Acura RSX on your own, you can save time using our RSX Stereo Wiring schematic.
This car audio wiring guide can help you get your RSX stereo installed properly. Without 
having to hunt to look through wiring guides and speaker wires, you can use this RSX Stereo Wiring tutorial to get the job done.
When you are installing an RSX stereo, you can use a car audio wiring harness. This harness can make the job easier for you, however if you are manually wiring it this guide can help.
The factory Honda stereo in your Acura RSX is mounted through a single DIN and optional pocket. Removal of your stock RSX radio will require you to pull off the faceplate and surrounding plastic trim, as shown above.
The plastic trim also includes the connector to your hazard button. If you are installing a aftermarket navigation system or a stereo that uses a motorized face, you’ll need the right mounting kit.
This is to ensure that your aftermarket stereo and motorized face won’t run into the climate controls above your RSX stereo.
You can use this car stereo wiring guide to install a single DIN stereo, as shown to the left. You can mount the pocket underneath in the factory position.
Of course the Acura RSX also came with 2 different types of factory stereo. The Bose system came equipped from Acura in premium models, and are slightly different than the traditional stereo wiring.
2002-2006 RSX Stereo Wiring Guide – Bose System
Car Radio Constant 12v+ Wire: White/Red
Car Radio Switched 12v+ Wire: Yellow/Red
Car Radio Ground Wire: Black
Car Radio Illumination Wire: Red/Black
Car Stereo Dimmer Wire: Red
The Acura RSX Bose amplifier is mounted underneath the passenger side seat. It’s triggered using the BROWN wire from your stereo and drives your Acura RSX speakers.
When you need to wire up the speakers to your aftermarket stereo, you’ll need to access the amplifier.
You can also wire up the RSX speakers through the Acura RSX Stereo Wiring Diagram below.
Left Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Blue
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Brown
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Orange
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Green
For the rear speakers the wiring will vary depending on what you need to get installed. This car audio wiring guide can help you complete your stereo install.
Left Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): White
Left Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Black
Right Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Yellow
Right Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Red
2002-2006 RSX Stereo Wiring Guide
Of course you can install a double DIN stereo into your RSX. This will eliminate the single DIN pocket and allow you to install any navigation system.
Either way the front fascia and plastic guides will snap over your stereo mounting brackets.
Car Radio Constant 12v+ Wire: White/Red
Car Radio Switched 12v+ Wire: Yellow/Red
Car Radio Ground Wire: Black
Car Radio Illumination Wire: Red/Black
Car Stereo Dimmer Wire: Red
Car Stereo Antenna Trigger: Brown
Because this isn’t a Bose system, you won’t need to wire up the car stereo amplifier. This lack of car amp gives you an easy install when you are using our RSX Stereo Wiring schematic.
You can also switch the single DIN pocket to the top of the stereo install as well.
Left Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Blue/Green
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Gray/Black
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Red/Green
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Brown/Black
Wiring up the rear speakers is also much easier due to the lack of the car amplifier. When you are installing any aftermarket stereo, you can use our comprehensive RSX Stereo Wiring diagram to do it.
Left Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Blue/Yellow
Left Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Gray/White
Right Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Red/Yellow
Right Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Brown/White
Have any questions about our DIY RSX Stereo Wiring tutorial? Leave us a comment below and let us know!
Bought a Acura rsx 2003 and the radio wires were cut,the deck I’m trying to install does not have illumination or dimmer wires,should I just connect the to the ignition wire? And I’ll still have a extra red wire after all that.any information would b appreciate. Thank you
I would not connect the dimmer wire to your switched power, that’s not going to be a very pleasant time. Instead tap into the dimmer wires located on your left hand side controls from your RSX dash. This will help you complete your RSX stereo install properly.
My 2003 rsx wiring harness was cut and I can not get the radio to save it memory
Hi John, thanks for reading my RSX stereo guide.
You are missing the switched power or aux power wire. This is the constant wire that sends a current for your battery to stay alive. Hope that helps!
The radio isn’t working I still have a red wire with a white stripe left over not sure where it goes
Hi Eric, sorry to hear about your RSX stereo problems. Do you have power to the head unit? is there any sound? Did you install an aftermarket RSX radio?