I still have my stock stereo on my DE Lancer. There's a cord that runs into the glove box and up the stereo. Over time the cord has a bit of a short in it when it's moved (near the plug that goes into the mp3 player). My question: Does the cord just unplug from the stereo (I want to be careful not to unplug the wrong cord)? Also what is this type of cord called?

 

I think I found another thread on how to install an MP3 cord. It's in one of the EVO sections, but the subject is the following:

How To: Installing Mitsubishi Aux/MP3 cable

 

I am not sure but you could pull the radio and check it out. Worst case its a special plug or soldered in. If its soldered in, find a friend that's comfortable with an iron and its a simple fix. If its a special plug, you could likely source a replacement or sort out a way to connect a new cable. Without the radio and cable in hand though, I can't be more specific.

 

Good idea, I'll pull the stereo out, and see if the wire is soldered in. Once I know more, I'll respond with another reply.

 

So I pulled out the stereo. It is a plug with 3 wires (red, white, & black) that come of the plug, and go into one of the plugs to the wire harness. I'm attaching a picture to show you what the plug and wire look like. I found the part on Ebay & included a the part and OEM number. I'm not sure about my skills of attaching a new plug. I may have to find someone that can do soldering. It might be easier to splice in the New main wire.

 

Unfortunately when I moved the face of the stereo, there is a ribbon cable, I damaged the cable. I did a web search and found on Evo-X-forums a response about the cable:
" It called FFC (flat flexible cable). You need 8 pin, 1mm pitch, and the length depends on what you're doing. Relocating the hazards I'm assuming? Or did you damage that one and looking for the same length? "

I decided to go with a longer cable, since the original was tough to work with. On Amazon I ordered FFC Cable 8 pin, 1mm pitch, 200MM Length (it's almost 8 inches).
I'll have to find someone that's good at splicing on a new cord for the MP3 player. I found OEM on Ebay bout they are $50.. Might be cheaper just splice in the Mp3 wire.

 

So I ordered the FFC (flat flexible cable) off Amazon. I tried plugging the cable in, but still no power. I tried to reverse the direction, but the connection to the face of the stereo is extremely difficult to get the cable in. I've thought of a alternate idea though. I know the some of the Lancers came with a stock touch screen stereo. If I could find one of those, my logic is that the connections should just connect to the wire harness (almost a plug and play comparison). Based on the Youtube videos I've watched on removing the touch screen, it doesn't have the FFC (flat flexible cable). I'm doing to do some research and let you know what I find out.

 

I'm looking at other options for a stereo. Some of the Lancers came with a GPS touch screen, but I don't see a mp3 connection, but I'm going by pictures off Ebay.
Also the newer Lancer have a touch screen CD player. I'm wondering if that's an option to install in my 2009 DE. One of my friends was saying sometimes you have to updated your car's computer so it will recognize new equipment. If anyone has any info, let me know.