This has been done to death but nonetheless:

I don't really use the 6 cd changer in my vRS since it's in the boot. So, I'd like to hook the HU (radio/cassette model) up to my iPod. However, to keep the car nice and original, I don't want to lose the CD changer either (yeah I know, moon on a stick).

I've also read that you can't just unplug the CD changer and use the CD changer audio inputs on the HU as it won't allow you to select the CD changer if it is not connected.

I saw one post (that I now can't find) that suggested hacking into the CD changer harness and installing a toggle switch that allows selection between the CD changer output or the ipod output.

This made sense to me as, since I'd be leaving the control signals and power etc to the CD changer intact, it might be enough to 'fool' the HU into allowing me to use my iPod.

Anyone tried this out?

It's a lot cheaper than any of the commercial offerings out there and allows me to use my CD player if I still want to later.

It does not allow the HU to control my iPod but I can live with that (stick it on shuffle and leave it alone).

Cheers iep

you could look for a lead that you can unplug the cd lead and connect to your ipod, have a look on ebay and see if there are any floating on there.

Cheers for that but I am trying to avoid having todisconnect the CD player (I might still want to use it at some point and don't wantto have to remove the HU every time I wish to switch between iPod and CD). Also, the leads that work have to have a CD player emulator on board or the HU doesn't detect a CD player present and won't allow you to select it as an input. These are pretty damned expensive.

I'm hoping that it is possible to splice a switch into the audio output leads of the CD player that allows selection between the CD player and an iPod output while leaving the control lines intact. This might allow the HU to still 'see' the CD player. Also, only needs about £5 of parts to do it.

Just wondering if anyone has done this or kows a reason why it miht not work.

Cheers,

iep

Provided you can match the individual wires within the two cables, then there's no reason why a SPDT switch shouldn't do you. The only problem would be that you'd need one switch for each 'bundle' of wires, and from memory, I think there are nine (?) wires 'twixt HU and changer, so it'd be messy to say the least!

There are three sets of inputs on the back of the HU, though: changer, phone, and I don't know what the third is... Getting your iPod to pretend to be a phone is probably the simplest solution as provided you knew what you were doing, powering up the 'Pod would select the correct mode automatically. The problem would be that you'd only get mono playback, however. If anyone knows what the third lot of pins are for, maybe that could lead you to a solution...???

If you splice a switch into the changer wires, you shouldn't need top do all nine. In fact, for this idea to work, you mustn't. The only to wires that need to be cut and wired into the switch are the Audio wires (AF-R and AF-L):

http://www.conofrei.com/images/gamapinout.jpg

This can be done with a simple DPDT switch. It is important the other wires are not cut, otherwise the HU won't be able to communicate with the changer (via clock and data lines). If the HU doesn't find a changer on the end of these control lines, it won't allow the CD to be selected as an input and the game's a bogey. The most complex part of all these ipod to CD changer input adapters on ebay is that they pretend to be a cd changer. The purpose of this plan is that you keep the CD changer in place but take the audio signal from the ipod instead.

For the record, the third connector is a set of pre-amp outputs from the HU which can be used to drive an external power amp (good for subs etc). However, no use to me as I need a spare input.

Cheers,

iep

The most complex part of all these ipod to CD changer input adapters on ebay is that they pretend to be a cd changer.

...which was why I suggested splicing into ALL the wires!

I think the trouble you'd have with what you're suggesting is that you'd need to be sure that the iPod would work OK with all of the other wires for the other channels being open-circuit. And you might need to have a CD in the changer on perpetual repeat to make sure it would actually switch to changer / iPod mode correctly.

If you did something like hack up a headphone cable, there is of course a full circuit (i.e. two wires) per audio channel, so you'd presumably need to connect to the common earth as well, although this line wouldn't need to be switched. Doing it that way, of course, you'd have to make sure your voltages were matched correctly, as it wouldn't be a proper line-out, so would be sensitive to the volume setting on the 'Pod...

HTH

Sorry I'm still not following you here.

Maybe I'm not explaining myself very well but I'm pretty sure I don't want to splice into the clock and data lines etc because my ipod obviously has no connection for these wires. However, they cannot be left open circuit because the HU will not allow me to select the CD changer if it cannot find one attached ot the CD changer port. It checks for the presence of the CD changer by communicating via the data wires etc (but not the AF-L and AF-R wires). You are right though. I would probably need a cd in the changer on perp repeat but that's not really a problem.

If this is going to work at all, I think that only the AF-L and AF-R wires should be switched. The rest need to be left alone so that the HU still 'sees' a CD changer. Obviously, a GND connection will have to be made for the iPod but, as you say, this does not need to be switched.

The ipod jack output is not full line level (1Vrms/0dBV for car applications) but is capable of up to -9dBV or even -3dBV with a quick hack to the software. So it is more than loud enough for the HU input provided it is set at full volume.

I'd agree that this is not a rolls-royce solution but it is very cheap and allows me to keep the CD changer in use if I ever want to use it.

Does that make more sense or am I missing the point you are trying to make (very possible, I'm a little hung over this morning)?

iep

All I was saying was that splicing all the wires would mean that the cable itself would be handling all the 'emulator' functions. I appreciate that only the audio channel are required to allow the output from your iPod to come out of the speakers, but my point is that if the cable is capable of handling all the other functions, then why not take advantage of that? Of course the simple answer is that doing that requires 9-off SPDT switches, whereas doing it your way only requires one DPDT! But then there are all the issues above that need solving...

Ahhh, I think I see our point of confusion:

*****

'but my point is that if the cable is capable of handling all the other functions, then why not take advantage of that'

******

I'm not planing to use a bought cable that provides any emulation function. In fact my whole plan is to avoid having to buy such an item as they are very expensive (generally about £50). My plan is simply to connect the audio from the ipod into the existing cable from the CD changer using a 3.5mm socket (mounted in cubby hole), DPDT switch (again mounted at back of cubby hole) and a short length of stereo screened cable. That is why I need to keep the CD changer control wires in play (becuase I don't have any other way of fooling the HU into thinking it is connected to the CD changer source).

It means spending £1 rather than £50 as I already have most of the parts I'd need.

Does that make more sense?

iep

Sure! In that case, I'll just repeat what I said in the second half of post #6

wouldnt it be easier to take out the stereo and see if there is away of adding it from the back there?

Indeed, the ipod produces -3dBV full volume once hacked so it is more than enough to give a good signal to the head unit (expects 0dBV max).

iep

This has been done to death but nonetheless:

I don't really use the 6 cd changer in my vRS since it's in the boot. So, I'd like to hook the HU (radio/cassette model) up to my iPod. However, to keep the car nice and original, I don't want to lose the CD changer either (yeah I know, moon on a stick).

I've also read that you can't just unplug the CD changer and use the CD changer audio inputs on the HU as it won't allow you to select the CD changer if it is not connected.

I saw one post (that I now can't find) that suggested hacking into the CD changer harness and installing a toggle switch that allows selection between the CD changer output or the ipod output.

This made sense to me as, since I'd be leaving the control signals and power etc to the CD changer intact, it might be enough to 'fool' the HU into allowing me to use my iPod.

Anyone tried this out?

It's a lot cheaper than any of the commercial offerings out there and allows me to use my CD player if I still want to later.

It does not allow the HU to control my iPod but I can live with that (stick it on shuffle and leave it alone).

Cheers iep

FM modulator or a mini-FM transmitter "may" work. Actually, they WILL work, but maybe with varying levels of interference and buzzing.

Before hacking any cables, check the price of replacements should anything go wrong.

J.

I have a Kenwood HU which has a 3.5mm jack plugged into the same input a CD changer would go in and it works fine (except the differences in volume - ipod on max and HU not far from it!!)

FM modulator or a mini-FM transmitter "may" work. Actually, they WILL work, but maybe with varying levels of interference and buzzing.

summin like an iTrip would solve the problem without having to cut your electrics to pieces though.

I put a DPDT switch for my changer so I could play a DVD player though the audio. The head unit still thinks it is connected and just plays the alternative source until it changes discs where you obviously get a break in the sound until the next one plays.

Works really well so there's no reason why you can't use this for a general Aux in to the head unit

A16NSV, that was the response I was looking for! I knew I couldn't be the only one to have thought of doing this.

As regards the other posts, I've used iTrip and the like before and they are just a bit too noisy for my liking. I guess that might have been an issue with my old car but I like this idea instead because it only invoves cutting two wires right behind the stereo (so no real risk there) and leaves me with a nice aux-in function that I can use with any source.

I do actually have a really nice Sony HU taken from my last car with auxin and a USB port but I've heard loads of issues regarding the antenna amplifier so I'm inclined to keep the original HU if I can.

Cheers,

iep

Do you actually use the radio much? If not, I'd recommend rewiring the harness and using the Sony HU...

I do listen to the radio quite often and I like the original look of the symphony. Keen to keep it if I can.

ip

I do listen to the radio quite often and I like the original look of the symphony. Keen to keep it if I can.

ip

Funnily enough I've just upgraded mine to an Alpine set up so I've ripped all the original stereo and changer out. The wire colours on the octy 2 are orange white and back at the changer plug end. Black is ground and the orange and white are left and right. You'll get these from the pinout on the top of the stereo though.

I just kept the ground all together and put the dpdt switch for the other 2.

I have a Kenwood HU which has a 3.5mm jack plugged into the same input a CD changer would go in and it works fine (except the differences in volume - ipod on max and HU not far from it!!)

summin like an iTrip would solve the problem without having to cut your electrics to pieces though.

ive got some itrips for sale that i got from a bankruptcy sale, pm me if interested.