AdamK

My unit just "glitched" tonight. It did this once before but fixed itself after a few hours?? Got it in the car and expected the unit to continue where it left off like it always does. Nothing... So I hit the mode button and it toggles through AM and the 2 FMs but never gets to EX1?? Turned everything off, toggled the power, rebooted the iPod. Nothing seems to want to bring it back. The unit has power because the iPod says it's charging when it's plugged into the unit. The stereo just doesn't seem to see it. Any ideas?? Broken unit??

MrWigggles

AdamK,

Remove your positive (or negative) battery terminal and that should reset everything.

Next time it doesn't play your music when you turn on the car press the play/pause button once or twice on the IPOD before doing anything else.

Good luck,

-Mr. Wigggles

AdamK

I searched back through the thread and found the referece to that, thanks! That did do the trick!

First I tried unplugging the 30amp audio fuse in the engine compartment, no luck. The radio was dead, but the system didn't reset and the clock kept running. I pulled the audio fuse in the engine compartment, the audio fuse in by the driver side door, and the two misc fuses in the engine compactment. No luck there either. Finally just pulled the negative battery terminal and bingo. This did also reset the clock and the odometer. If I can find <that> fuse that should be the one to reset the system. Anyone find the exact fuse?

Guess I'll be investing the $5 for the upgrade chip to see if this problem gets cured.

scoreo99

iTrader: (1)

[B]THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL THAT IT WILL REACH THE REAR HIDDEN COMPARTMENT WITHOUT SPLICING THE WIRES!!!! you are better off splicing the wires and putting the black box in the hidden compartment, that way you can have the ipod in the hidden compartment OR in the cupholders.

scoreo99

iTrader: (1)

oh yeah green thunder 18, i put the infamous "screw" back in, it took me 20 minutes to find the hole. I know I know, find the hole ha ha ha very funny muthaf&#kr.

andrenolan

How much and when available. I am guessing I can use the line in for my XM?Cannot believe any 21st century car audio system does not come with a line input.

Still love my 8
andre

falcontx

iTrader: (1)

Hmm? Check the first post for pricing an ordering details. It's available now. And yes, you can use the line-in for an external satellite radio unit.

justbrent

Finally got mine installed. Since I didn't want to run the wires through the cupholder, I spliced about 18 inches on to the main wire coming out of the head unit and put the "black box" under the secret compartment and ran the wires out through the back where the power port is located. I can put both my iPod and my Sirius receiver in the secret compartment and go 100% stealth mode.

The lead from the head unit to the black box needs to be at least 12 inches longer. Running the wires directly into the secret compartment is definitely the best option.

Let me know if anyone wants pictures.

dupa12345

week of 20th .. cant wait to get mine

KAtC10

I do!

L-Co

Is anyone using skin or cover of some sort on their Ipod? I want one, but am not sure which would be the best to use with this Audio Link and Pro Clip setup.

AdamK

I don't use the cup holder for drinks, so I like having the iPod there. I can slide the lid back and see the display or operate the unit. Not sure that would be easily done with it in the secret compartment??

justbrent

It is somewhat inconvenient to access the iPod, you have to leave the door to the secret compartment, but the ability to control the iPod with the steering wheel controls was the major reason that I bought it in the first place, so easy access to the iPod isn't a major concern for me anyway.

Also, after spending the money for this car, which I love so much, I wasn't crazy about the idea of having wires running through the cup holder where anyone could see them.

I'll try to post picture tonight.

PPMouze

Just an FYI there is a bit of engine noise if you use the ipod adaptor with your satellite radio or other mp3 player with the headphone connection.

AdamK

If I had the "other" iPod interface announced a few days ago it would be fine in the hidden compartment. You can see what's playing on the digital display above the stereo. No need to look at the iPod that way.

Aipex8

iTrader: (1)

Take a look at the front wall of the secret compartment, there is a notch for a cord. I'm assuming this is for a cell phone charger cord, but it will work perfect for an iPod cord also. With the secret compartment door closed, but the cup holder open, the cord will run into the cup holder area. I plan on running the adapter to the secret compartment, the iPod will stay in there most of the time, I'll use the playlists and steering wheel buttons to do most navigation. When I need the iPod, I can pull it out to the drink holder with the cord running into the compartment. Best of both worlds.

falcontx

iTrader: (1)

Yes, if your external device is being powered by a cigarette lighter adapter or something other than it's own battery, there may be some ground loop noise. This is a common occurance when audio devices do not share the same ground point. If you experience this problem, a ground loop isolator (available at Radio Shack, etc) will solve the problem.

Green Thunder18

20 minutes, huh? I'll send my condolences to your wife!

PPMouze

anyone know where you would you connect the ground loop isolator to and which one to get?

hondaboi

I've been following this thread for quite a while now, and I installed my unit this weekend. The installation for the NEO device that can be found in this thread were very helpful. The only mishap I encountered was that the 'bolt' was not there on my head unit, lucky me I guess, but I did spend an awfull amount of time looking for it.

I had brought the car back for a defective headunit a few month before and they had given me a new one, they must've not put that bolt back! Well either way, the headunit sits secure and all so I guess that bolt is not critical. After all, I did drive the car for months without it. The upside was that I basically received a free firmware upgrade to 9.87 (??) on my '04 through the new headunit.

As for placement, I connected the unit to the head unit and put the black box and all in the glovebox. I figured that way I have easy access to the box if need be (new/better firmware)without tearing the whole car apart again. I'm currently using it with my PDA and I did notice that volume is a little lower compared to CD (could be my PDA's weak output) and a hint of noise at lower volume levels that can easily be solved (turn it up!).

BTW, what is this 'secret compartment' referred to on this thread?? The cupholder compartment? Minor mods I'm thinking of include a quick velcro fix in glovebox/black box to keep it in place in the glovebox and maybe running a stereo extension from glovebox through the little hole (covered by a tab) next to the glovebox and head unit (what is that for anyways...) for easier laptop other mp3 devices hook up.

All in all, a solid product for the price, playlist changes, timer all work with Ipod, text/song name/info support through LCD/LED (not going to argue what it is called>>>next to temp readout) would be nice (future firmware upgrade hint hint??) but not critical.

Would buy again. Hope someone finds this post useful.

justbrent

Finally got around to posting pictures of my installation. The orange part is where I spliced about 18 inches of wire to reach back to the "secret compartment" The depression is where the cupholder is in the console.

The black box sits right below the secret compartment and fits perfectly between the two supports for the screws.

The final picture is the iPod in the secret compartment after installation. The wire for the interface comes through the tab at the bottom of the flap for the 12v power outlet.

The splicing was time consuming, but not hard. And if I can do it, anybody can do it.



Oh crap! Now I know what happened to that screw that I was missing when I put it back together!

quaggy

any concern about heat within the console area? I was reluctant to place mine in the console box because Apple recommends keeping the ipod close to room temperature for maximum battery life. I ended up running my cable to the glove box... not as convenient though.

RichardK

That interface, I have an idea for.

The iPod is the size of a cassette.

So, with that interface in the cassette bay, why not mould a docking station that sits in the lower media bay and lets you slide the iPod into the dash?

That device is still months away, and will be a hell of a lot more involved to install - I'd probably end up having both!

AdamK

I don't know why it would be more involved?? Should access the display just like the Sirius through the same connector......

dupa12345

any info on shipping of the new orders? im so itching for some mp3s