Sputnik

I wonder if it's possible that there is a setting that can be changed on the head unit for this. You know how some stock stereos would spit a cassette adapter out because it fails the test to see if the tape is intact, but you could push a combination of buttons to defeat that test, and you'd be able to use the cassette adapter? While this is a little different, I wonder if there's something available in a "hidden" code, similar to what some do to cause the NAV software to puke?

---jps

thew

Exe.. what build is your 8..
and you are right about PIE.. They told me they are working on an RX8 only unit. but did not have any idea when we would see it..

MY next step is going to be sending input to the HU directly. if that does not work.. then I will do the CD input mod.


Hey bob.. again i am sure you did this.. but you did power your HU down before each install? (disconnect the Power to the HU ? or Battery..)

Also it looks like you and i have almost the same damn car. Build date and all ....

and are you shipping that back today ? be sure to use my label I sent along. its prepaid.

Damn Mazda so far the HU has me for almost 400 extra research bucks..

Come on Mazda Throw us a Bone here

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

I already did that and was told that yes, they are working on a unit that will do AUX-IN for the RX-8. They are aware of the potential market. Alas, the tech.support guy I talked to had no ETA for this RX-8 specific unit. It will be at least a couple months, according to him.
He also said that they will not provide a fix or reflash to the current MAZ/PC-ALP adapters - if they come out with a solution, it will be a separate unit.

thew

Echo echo ...........

eXentric

Sorry if I posted something that was already speculated. I tried to go back several pages and make sure I wasn't re-posting something that was known already.

thew, how can I tell what build my car is? I have never looked for it. Is it near the VIN? I know it was one of the early ones.

thew

just trying to save u the headache.. look in your drivers side door jamb. theres a plate with all the info. Build date, paint code, Vin number.....

Sputnik

In the meantime, I'm going to try and consolidate some of the good/no-good information here. Please reply with information that is missing from this list, and if you have tried this mod, please reply with the information here.

This information has been transferred to the first post on the first page of this thread.

---jps

bobclevenger

Not the first time. I just plugged it in and turned the key and it worked. When I pulled the mp3 unit I had the whole HU removed, so it was powered down completely at that time.


Yeah, except yours has a few more appearance mods.

Yes, I am going to the UPS office at ONT in an hour or so. I assume that you have the tracking #, but in case you don't, send me a PM.

No sh*t! Mazda has the input already engineered, they just won't sell it to us!

project

I'm installing mine tonight. Pray to the deus ex machina for me.

thew

good luck

project

Add me to the list of working units.

Bose / no nav / CD / Ill get the build date later

truemagellen

thew and bob how about this: http://www.autotoys.com/x/catalog/MA...ER_p_4497.html
(yanked from another thread)
says rx-8 compatible and is only $93 wonder if it works with the nav owners

starbucks

Project,

Where'd you buy your parts from and what were the part numbers so we with the same Bose, no nav, cd, set up can make sure we match exactly.

Thanks

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

That thing looks exactly like the PIE MAZ/PC-ALP adapter. Even the description is similar.
So much so, that I think this is nothing else than that - sans the label on the box.

thew

yea that looks like a copy of the PIE.. maybe theres works better..

liqiud

it may have the signal that some of the other people were missing.

project

Ahh crap, i threw all the packaging away I got it at a local place in Utah called Car Concepts who ordered it in direct from PIE. I'll see if I can get the part numbers from the receipt.

NomisR

I was looking at the http://www.pie.net/pcmazda.htm

and noticed the pioneer unit with XM satelite radio interface. Anyone try this unit because all I see mentioned was the Alpine unit, any ideas?

starbucks

Project,

I did a Yahoo search and came up with the address: Car Concepts (801) 467-0475 3405 S State St Salt ... UT

Is that the place? If so, I'll give them a call and see if they mail order. Just to confirm, your setup is: bose, single cd changer, and no nav.

At this point, I'm willing to roll the dice. I was ready to try the cd player hack, but this looks easier, if it works.

project

Yeah thats the one. They said PIE was backordered on new units but because they sold one to me without telling me that, PIE was kind enough to rush them the first unit of the newest build. And yeah thats the setup I have. Bose, Single CD and no nav.

Just out of curiosity, have people ruled out the possibility of a bad PIE unit or alpine y adapter? I haven't read the whole thread, but it seems like its certainly a possibility. Hope it works out for you!

bobclevenger

Go back to post #220 in this thread (page 15) and see what I tried. The only significant difference in Thew's 8 and mine is that my HU is probably newer, since it was replaced after the dealer fried it.

thew

the saga continues.. I still have yet to try my pie again after telling the Nav to turn on the Serial port..

i doubt it will help ..

we shall see.

starbucks

Project,

Ok, just one last thing before I order and take a chance: you are also using the rca adapter, right? Also, what external devices are you running through to the HU, Ipod, rio, xm, etc. that work?

----> fingers ready to dial car concepts

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

Chalk up one more for those who got the PIE MAZ/PC-ALP to work!

I played music for a good 5 minutes from my Archos MP3 player using the PIE aux-in solution and had no cut-out... so I can safely say it works in my car.

I have the non-Bose stereo, single CD, no navigation system. It seems that this combination so far worked for all who tried.

Some comments about taking apart the interior:

• be careful when removing the first trim piece (from the armrest to the ashtray). Right next to the back of the handbrake lever, there is a fastener that is not the regular push-pin but rather a plastic hook. You need to push that in with a flathead screwdriver from the passenger side otherwise if you just pull the panel, it will break. I need to fix mine now (grrrrr...). Not a big deal but still, it's better to avoid breaking anything. All the other fasteners of this panel are just pushpins.
• contrary to l008com's otherwise excellent iPod install instructions, I did not remove the whole ashtray light assembly. The darn thing wouldn't want to budge... so I detached the bulb instead.
• the 10 mm bastard bolt is the dumbest idea I have seen for a long time as far as disassembly goes. Still, I think it does serve some purpose... primarily it makes stealing the radio rather complicated in case you don't know about it, and also, it probably keeps the whole unit stay in place rather well. It is pretty heavy, and this will prevent it from moving and making noises/rattles. The plastic pushpins are not too strong. I decided to place the bolt back where it was.
• I also had to remove a small metal bracket under the steering wheel (after popping out the plastic trim bit) to gain access to that bolt - otherwise there's just too little room. It's held only by two screws, so might as well take it out instead of trying to work around it...
• taking out the radio is a royal pain in the ***. Those plugs are hard to get out. Plus, my cables were so short that I even had to pop out the vent above the unit so that I could squeeze my hand behind the radio to unplug everything. Then it turned out that they electrical taped the cable harnesses together and that's what made them so short. Needless to say, I cut that blue tape so I can work easier.

Here are some markings / numbers from the audio assembly in case someone can compare with theirs - perhaps there is a difference that will explain why it works for some and not for the others:

Outer housing:

FE01 66 DSXA 14789521
SERIAL NO: 03H1B50076

Base (sticker visible after removing the CD unit):

FMS Audio Sdn.Bhd.
Model No. 14789520
B-No. FE01 66 AS0/14789810
Serial# 03H1B50054

Maybe some of you can compare yours and see if there is a discrepancy (other than the serial numbers of course :D).

Now I'm contemplating where should I mount the PIE box... I'm thinking I'll put it under the radio, where the MD or tape player would go. Just have to fasten it somehow - maybe with velcro, but I'm concerned about the sticky sides detaching due to heat or something...

bobclevenger

Good news indeed! What's your build date?
Actually you can just leave everything connected if you are careful. If you leave the shifter **** on, it will prevent the threaded shifter shaft from gouging the black lacquer panel.
Agreed, but I believe there are four screws holding it in place.
That's where mine lives. I mounted it with some heavy-duty all-weather mounting tape that I got from Home Depot. Seems to work.