Yuhki

Here is my report.
Bad news, but a little bit fun to see "EX 1" displayed in the LCD pannel.

My Car Option#1

1) 6 CD chnager
2) BOSE system
3) No navi
4) JDM RX-8 type-S (received 2003/06.)
5) MAZ/PC-ALP with M-BUS AUX-in.(MAZ/PC-ALP Serial No. 403440012)


I tried with a headphone jack of my portable MiniDisk player.

"EX 1" flashed( correctly speaking, only "1" part flashed) and I could hear the output of my MiniDisk player through the factory audio unit.

But cut out after 30 sec. Maxmizing the output volume of the MiniDisk player did not help.

I disassembled MAZ/PC-ALP module then found my version is ver1.3 printed on the circuit board.

eXentric

Thanks for such a detailed report Yuhki.

It should be obvious to any third party monitoring this thread that the users here need a solution and are willing to do what it takes to get it.

For those of you who have already attempted this install, please keep the facts comming.

BritSti and anyone else that has successfully installed this module without problem: Can one of you please open your module and get the rerence numbers off the board as Yuhki did? If you have a much lower revision board then it's possible that PIE removed the ability from later boards due to a legal binding of some sort or the desire to release their own custom AUX solution.

Thanks to everyone that's tried to help make this solution work. I speak for myself and I'm sure others when I say that it's very depressing this solution is not working. We need a solution!!!

liqiud

i meant option 1, and i ran out of time last night, so i am doing it in about 2 hours.

loudboxer

Not to sound like a bottom-feeder, but if anyone wishes to sell off their failed PIE converter, I'm interested. My plan is to order a Dension Alpine ICELink and try it out. I've got a 2004 Mazda 3, stock HU/integral 6-disc changer.

liqiud

OK...so i have mine hooked up, and i tested before i finished wiring...works fine.

I have option 1, i have installed a splitter temporarily, until i make my switch, right now i have hooked up the MP3 player, and it works fine...i am going to finish hooking up my XM commander, and get it all put back together.

Then i will take some pics for the complete install, and post them...

liqiud

ok, so my install is complete...and those little clips are a serious PITA...i hate them...anyway...I installed my PIE under the top section of the dash, and as soon as i have some more time, i will relocate my XM unit here as well. (Idiot's at Car Toys didn't put it there like i asked them to).

Here is a picture with the PIE hooked up...

http://www.havenbbs.com/rx8/images/pie_on_top.jpg

Like i said earlier, i have Bose, 6CD, no NAV, and mine works fine...just don't like the blinking EX 1...but oh well...

Yuhki

Congrats. liquid.

Seems you have the same configutation as mine.
Do you have any idea on differeces between you and me ?

liqiud

what is your MF date on your car...maye they did something different to the disk changer...who knows...next time i take it out, i will look for labels on the changer, and the PIE unit, and post them...sorry i don't have any more information for you.

RX8J

liquid,

That top panel, does it just pop off with the clips? or are there any other screws you had to remove. I LOVE the location to store the PIE, NICE FIND!! Did you do anything to strap it down so it doesnt rattle around at high speeds?

-RX8J

liqiud

nothing to tie it down right now...but i took a few corners at speed, and raced down a street earlier tonight, and got no rattle...i found out how to take out the top panel in the music keg install thread - you can find it here (https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ight=music+keg)...it was only 4 more screws...once you get past the stupid clips in the head unit everything is easy...

Like i said, i am going to put the XM unit up there as well, and probably velcro them both down either tomorrow, or next weeked...depends on how adventorous i am feeling tomorrow...since my garage is usually about 106 according to the Ambient Temp gauge on my 8.

Hope this helps...PM me the switch design...i can't wait to get that setup, and fabricate my plastic face plate for the commander...

BTW you can check out some extra pics of my car at http://www.havenbbs.com/rx8/images it's kinda empty right now, but i will post more next week.

RX8J

liquid,

The link is broken, but just remove one of the http:// and it works fine. I see the other 4 screws you mentioned, thanks for that I like that for my install as well.

I just ordered my PIE converter, I realize that it might not work, but I had to take the chance. I will post my results. I am option #1 Bose, CD Changer, no NAV.

Sorry I have not gotten you that switcher scematic, I got a sinus infection and have been really out of it the last few days. I will get it to you after the holliday weekend (I left the paper with the part numbers and scribbles at work). As I said I have been out of it!! You will have it Tue/Wed at the latest, as I still have to turn it into something electronic that I can post, right now it's still on paper.

I will also post a link for anyone else who wants it. It is basically an input switcher. Two in's, one out; so you can switch between two different input sources (MP3 and XM for liquid and I). The circuit controls a relay and an LED (light), I am going to get a blue LED to match the blue car.

It's a simple circuit, but I already calculated the resistor values for some different type LED's and I have allied part numbers and prices at work, and dont want to do it all again. The whole project will cost about $30 to build including a nice small project box to house the thing, and all of the components can be ordered online from electronic parts suppliers. I will be sharing the scematic, but when i do, realize that it is just designed on paper, and I will NOT have had a chance to test it. Use it at your own risk. Also, once I see that the PIE solution works, I will proceed to building one myself, and I will take pictures and document the whole process.

Happy 4th to All!!

-RX8J

liqiud

When you send me the electronic copy, i will throw it up on my webserver for long term storage. And As soon as i get the specs, i will be building it and testing it...so more details to follow.

liqiud

Not sure where the extra http is coming from, when i edit the post, it only shows the one...hmm....oh well.

RX8J

Hey All,

**DISCLAIMER**
THIS IS UNTESTED AND IN BETA RIGHT NOW. DO NOT BUILD AND INSTALL UNLESS YOU HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE WITH ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS. DONT CRY TO ME HOW IT MESSED UP XYZ COMPONENT. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!

That being said, it should work (on paper anyway).

I finished round one of my input switcher. I will be building one after I receive my PIE and make sure that it works, if not then I will have to figure out something else for an AUX IN (probably one of the other known methods).

Either way, This circuit uses a switch to turn on/off a relay. I also added a nice blue LED to match my car . When you flip the switch, the relay closes the normally open contacts and switches inputs. When off, it connectes the normally closed to the common car inputs.

I included part numbers from an electronics catalog I had, but you should be able to get the parts just about anywhere. The only one I had trouble finding was the relay. This one I found will handle all of the left and right, positive and negative contacts. I am not sure about interference because this is untested (have I heard that before?), but I think should be fine, especially if you dont have both inputs playing at the same time (some testing will see if this needs more work or not).

You can check out the scematic here:
http://www.extrapoint.com/caraudioswitch.jpg

liquid, can you grab a copy of this and put it on your server, this is a server I run at my house, and although it's static IP, I am a software developer and I play alot (take sites down while I promote code).

Hope this is helpful to everyone! If you have comments or questions feel free to discuss.

-RX8J
P.S. You will need a project box and circuit board, but RatShack has them for like $3.

BritSti

I still need to rip the headunit back out to get the serial number for my PIE unit but I did run across this issue yesterday.

I have never had my aux-in cut our or go to nav while the radio is turned on however, if I leave my Ipod playing through the aux-in and turn the sound system off, the nav screen immediately turns into the Japannese TV tuner screen.

Does anyone else have the same scenario or does the Jap tuner screen pop up all the time for you??

So the solution is still working fine on my Bose, Nav, single CD setup.

S

AWillsea

I have the 6 disc changer with Nav and I can't get it to work...I get the 15 seconds of music then no sound and the Japanese TV tuner setup...Anyone that comes up with a fix for this is a god in my book as it solves everyone's problems for getting AUX IN for our 8s!

liqiud

what source are you using, and is your nav unit up at the time?

AWillsea

I am using my carputer...P4 2.0ghz. I have tried it with the volume all the way up, and with the Nav both up and down. No Luck...Have not tried different input sources, but I can't see how that would matter...the volume coming off the box is fine...Right now I am having to use the AUX-IN tape mod which works, but would rather have the PNP

liqiud

hmm...odd...i wonder...i will have to try and find someone near by so i can see what the nav is doing when it is on and off...and how the PIE interacts with it...any takers in the DFW area?

bobclevenger

I just finished installing my PIE aux-in setup along with my DVD-in system and the power feed for my Rio Karma Docking station.
My RX-8 is a GT with Bose, Nav, and mp3 player.
Yes, mine does this also anytime the aux-in is selected and then the audio system is powered down. No big deal, just interesting.
My PIE setup works beautifully, and I even have two different sources wired to it with 'Y' cables (Rio Karma and Blaupunkt DVD player).

Southsider

I just had success with the PIE installation myself. Non-Bose, Non-Nav. Using a Delphi XM Roady. The car was manufactured 04/04 so newer built cars are still allowing this functionality. The PIE adapter was just purchased (from Logjam electronics) last week so newer builds are still allowing it. I also used the Mbus-RCA adapter from PIE as well (bought from crutchfield for $15)

Notes:
- anybody who re-installs that hidden screw needs to have their head examined
- you have to turn the car off and on again to sense the new connector after install.XM Radio has never sounded so sweet!

liqiud

Congratulations Southsider...

OverLOAD

I'm having enough fun just finishing up the Aux-Mod right now .. I don't need another project yet.. Although I'd bet that there's just 1 very simple message that the m-bus adapter needs to send. Either the PIE or the m-bus to RCA adapter could be re-programmed (by the people with the source code, not me..) to simply always send out the disk1-track one playing message. That would at least prevent the nav system from taking over after failing to find a disc..

Regards,

OverLOAD

liqiud

hmm...here is an odd thought...the people with 6 disk changers that have it fail after 30 seconds...are you changers fully loaded with 6 disks? If not, what happens when you put all 6 disks in and then try it. Just a thought...since everytime i have used my aux the disk changer has been fully loaded...

when i get some time today, i will try pulling some disks and see what happens...

rockhead

Hey everyone. Quick question.

Does anybody have this working with a bose system, 6 CD changer and NAV?

Thanks.

Rockhead