I'm looking for a way to attach an external audio source (Minidisk,
MP3 player, etc.) to the factory installed CD player in a 2002 Honda
Civic EX. I only have the CD player; no tape deck is installed or
desired. A connection using RCA cables or mini-stereo connections is
preferred but any "standard" connection is acceptable.

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Clarification of Question by dolbersen-ga on 30 Dec 2002 14:41 PST

The current CD player need not control the external device. Simply
playing it is enough.

Hi -
  
If there are no readily accessible input jacks on the CD player, the
only way I know to accomplish this is via a device called an FM
modulator.  This device works by "latching on" to a specific frequency
in your radio and will play the audio through that specific frequency.
 You would take the output of your minidisc player/MP3 player or any
other line-out and hook it into the modulator.  You'd set the radio at
the required radio frequency as specified in the modulator's manual. 
This will effectively play the audio through your radio's FM band. 
I'm told the quality is good.
  
Please see the following links for sources/pricing on FM modulators:
http://www.nextag.com/serv/main/buyer/outpdir.jsp?doSearch=y&search=fm+modulator
http://www.bizrate.com/marketplace/search/search.xpml?rf=goo&keyword=fm%20modulator&de_id=211&mkt_id=520687&cat_id=&url_id=45817&lp=2&l1rd=200
 
If you require additional information/clarification, please ask before
rating this answer.
 
jbf777-ga
GA Researcher

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Request for Answer Clarification by dolbersen-ga on 30 Dec 2002 17:40 PST

There aren't any input jacks on the front of the CD player. Are there
any on the inside? I don't want to tear my car apart only to come up
with nothing.

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Clarification of Answer by jbf777-ga on 30 Dec 2002 18:28 PST

Hi -
  
You don't need any input jacks to use an FM modulator...  there aren't
any direct input jacks if they aren't readily accessible on the front
panel.
 
jbf777-ga
GA Researcher

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Request for Answer Clarification by dolbersen-ga on 31 Dec 2002 07:01 PST

Last clarification (hopefully) so if there aren't any AUX ports on the
front of the  head unit, there aren't any on the rear either? I've
seen some Sony car stereos that have RCA ports on the back. Does the
stock Honda CD player have these as well?

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Clarification of Answer by jbf777-ga on 31 Dec 2002 08:29 PST

Hi -
 
A couple different places I contacted have said there are no input
jacks on your stock CD player.  I have also just learned that there
potentially ARE radios with jacks in the back, and many newer cars
have these...  are you sure the product you listed at that web site is
going to work?  Do you have a CD changer port?
 
jbf777-ga

jbf777 answered the question that I asked, which is not what I had in
mind. No fault of theirs.

This is what I was looking for:
http://www.pie.net/sec12sb1n.htm