tominavl

I think you removed the wrong bolt. I did that, and nearly broke my HU, then when I found the correct bolt, voila! It slid out part way quite easily.

Go easy on it and look for the correct bolt - you'll probably "feel" it easier than trying to "see" it.

beers

scsi

cool, no big deal, i guess i just need to extend it myself.

i know there is another product (not made for this car though) that will charge for like 20 minutes after the car is turned off. it also picks up where it left off. again, not a big deal i guess. ill still get one, after i pick up the car and figure out the heat problem

thanks!

beelineuk

Ok dropping the glove box works and after about 20mins managed to get the plug in. Now... battery back in turned on, pressed mode a few times but no ipod, just cd changer, fm etc.

The light on the Audio Link doesn't even come on, any ideas? It was a bitch to get the plug out again!

vrpirata

Hi falcontx. I have been planning to buy the AudioLink for USB flash memory. Few months ago, I had a USB memory MP3 player that send the audio using RF, unfortunately, sound quality was low. That player didn't support folders, making it very inconvenient when having many songs, to the point that I would rather buy the CD-MP3 unit from Mazda.

Basically, before I buy the USB AudioLink, I need to know if the unit is going to support folders for sure by using the up/down buttons on the steering wheel. What is the maximum amount of MP3 files it supports? And when is it going to be available with all of that features? I don’t what to install it, and then have to disassemble everything to get a firmware update.

Thank you.

Hudson

To answer the last question about the USB Audiolink.... The newest version I received supports a total of 594 songs (99 tracks each EX1 thru EX6). You can have songs divided by folder but can't change from folder to folder by using disc up or down. To change folders you still have to skip individual songs with the steering whell buttons. The disc up and down button jumps you thru the EX numbers... this being broken up simply by tracks, not by folders. So far I have had no problems like I experienced with my first unit which had a limit of 99 tracks period. Im using a 2gb duo pro memory card (like is used in a psp) thru a memory card reader you would commonly use on your home PC. It looks like a 4 gb is gonna be your best bet if you want to be able to max out your song limit.. with the 2gb I have I get options EX1, EX2, and EX3. That is still a ton of songs. Hope this info helps.

Hudson

RichardK

Sounds like firmware 9.8 needs to be looked at too.

*sighs*

18bsTiRX8

I removed that same bolt and still had probs removing my head unit. There are some tabs that attach to the heater vents, etc etc that need to pop out. To be sure you don't break the trim, I actually reached behind the head unit from under the dash (where you removed that bolt) and gave it a slight nudge from the back and it popped out easily, with less risk of breaking the tabs than if you were pulling on it from the front.

Before you try that though, be sure you remembered to remove the 2 small inner screws on the lower front side of the radio!


EDIT: Have a couple questions for falcon....

1) If you switch to playlist mode, can you go back to normal mode without having to disconnect the ipod and manually changing it?

2) I noticed on the box it listed other makes...a friend is very interested in this unit and has a Nissan....is there a place that sells Audio Link for other vehicles, or can you order it through your shop?

beelineuk

I actually managed to pop the hu out in the end, it just needed some force. I couldn't actually get it out more than a few inches though as I couldn't get the plug out. Wouldn't budge and couldn't see if there's a tab holding it in.

In the end I went back to inserting the plug around that back which I managed a second time, but the unit just doesn't get recognised. Should the light come on? After all this effort still no tunes!

18bsTiRX8

I have read somewhere in this huge thread that you might have to disconnect your battery and reconnect it for the radio to recognize the new input??? For mine, I just had to switch to CD then back to EX and it picked up the new input. Did you double check your firmware??

Acclaim99

I bought mine forever ago, went to install it, couldn't find that hidden bolt and ended up cracking the chips behind the panel. Had no heat in the middle of winter.

So, 5 months later, the icelink+ is still sitting in a box next to my 60 gig vid ipod, will probably sell them both, not worth the trouble now that I'm reading about updates.

Aipex8

iTrader: (1)

This is good news. mounting the AudioLink next to the shifter and then running the iPod cable back to the secret compartment from there would be a nice option. it almost reaches now. A couple more inches and it would be perfect.

I have a question about the functionality of the AudioLink now that mine is installed and working (HU replaced under warranty). When I'm in playlist mode and I turn the car off and then on again, the AudioLink remembers the point in the song I was at, but it comes back on in iPod mode just playing that particular song in it's album folder.

So say I'm listening to EX3 12 1:34 when I turn the car off, when I turn it back on it starts the song right where it left off, but it displays EX1 88 0:00. When that song ends, it starts the next song on that particular album, not what was in playlist EX3.

I've tried it with both AudioLinks (the one you replaced under warranty isn't bad, it works fine) and it's the same. I also thought it might be because I'm using smart playlists in iTunes, but that didn't fix it either. Is anyone else experiencing this? Is this normal operation? I can live with it, I just thought it would work differently.

falcontx

iTrader: (1)

It is normal operation. I don't believe the AudioLink has the ability to tell the iPod to go back to playlist X and play song X. The iPod itself remembers the song it was playing when the car was turned off, rather than the AudioLink. I will mention it to the manufacturer and see if it's possible.

18bsTiRX8

Can you check with Audio Link if they have these for the other mfg's listed on the box?

Also...when you switch to playlist mode, is there a way to switch back to normal ipod mode without shutting the car off, or unplugging the ipod???

AdamK

I moved my iPod from my motorcycle to the car this evening and it wasn't recognized again? Last time this happened I had to disconnect the battery. Tried that, but this time it didn't work?!? No 'EX', just AM and the two FM settings when I hit the mode button. As you may recall I have the latest ROM in my unit. Help!!

falcontx

iTrader: (1)

Adam, I don't know what the problem is, but we can replace the unit for you if you'd like. Shoot us an email via the website with your original order number and we'll make arrangements for a replacement.

bassplayer

OK. Just as I predicted eons ago in this thread...
The extremely poor quality connector broke today. You know, the one with the white rectangular plug that has, oh, maybe 10 wires in it and the crappy rubber boot covering it (which actually does nothing. Arrgh!
So the brown wire separated from it's socket and I am not certain which of the several empty sockect it goes to. I guessed the empty socket on the end (closest to where the disconnected wire was, and managed to force the end of the wire back in. The Audiolink works again but...
the unit heats up quite a bit and I don't remember if this is expected. Is this normal?
And...
does anyone know which socket the brown wire should be in? A picture or diagram would be greatly appreciated.
This is a USB unit. Wish it came with a quality connector.
Thanks

scsi

this is bad news =( i just ordered mine the other day

seymore15074

I've had this happen once...I rebooted my iPod and everything was fine. Give that a shot.

Aipex8

iTrader: (1)

The connectors at both ends are quite fragile. Once you have your AudioLink connected and working, I don't suggest unplugging it for any reason. I personally had a problem with the other end of the wire, when I connected it to the HU it would pop the brown wire out of its socket. Then the HU wouldn't recognize either the AudioLink (EX) or CD, just AM and FM. I was quite scared at first after having fried my HU on the first try hooking up the AudioLink.

After close inspection I noticed that the brown wire was not pushed all the way in to the white connector, I pushed it in and then plugged into the HU again and watched as the pin from the HU connector pushed the brown wire out again. I disconnected, pushed the brown wire in again and then had to hold it in place while I connected it to the HU. It works now, but I wouldn't expect it to if I disconnected and reconnected.

AdamK, if your's is still not working, I suggest looking at all the wires at both ends of the cable connecting the HU to the AudioLink. From my personal experience, if the AudioLink is partially connected (not every wire making a connection) the HU will not only not recognize it, but will lose CD function too. Hope that helps and hope you are able to fix it.

Bassplayer, the brown wire goes at the very end of the white connector, adjacent to the orange wire. Sounds like you got it connected back correctly. The unit warms up when in use, I'm not sure if your's is over heating, but if it is, I doubt it has to do with the brown wire, as in my experience if it isn't connected the HU won't recognize the AudioLink or CD player.

scsi

dammit howcome nobody mentioned this before o_O

AdamK

I tried the iPod reboot. No luck.

I'll try and check the connectors next. I'm not sure if my CD player is working. I'll check that next and the connector to the HU. Did you say you fried an HU? Did you get it replaced??

Aipex8

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, I spliced some cable into the AudioLink so that it could reach the secret compartment... and, well, must of crossed a wire somewhere. Turned the car on and the whole center console went dark. Had it replaced 2 days later all under warranty (I actually have a decent dealership) and RPM replaced the AudioLink (thanks falcontx, that was really cool of you guys). Everything works great now. i'm too scared to try splicing again, so the iPod is now in the glove box.

AdamK

I just tried my CD player. Not working?? The CD loads, but only FM and AM when pressing teh mode buton. I opened my console and disconnected unit from the wiring harness and now the CD loads and the CD mode displays on the HU, but it won't play. At this point I would think there must be something wrong with the wiring harness as you suggested. Either that or the HU is now screwed up?!? I'll pull the HU next and make sure it works properly in the stock configuration, then inspect the wiring harness and see if I have similar issues with connectors popping out.

AdamK

Just spent some more quality time with the HU pulled from the dash. I can get the CD to work now if I disconnect the Audiolink and power cycle the HU. So, my HU is working properly now even with the wiring harness for the Audiolink installed. However, the minute I plug the Audiolink into the harness the CD stops functioning. The "In Use" light on the Audiolink never comes on. There is power passing through the unit though because the iPod continues to charge. I'll be contacting Falcontx to try and get a replacement.

I opened the Audiolink to inspect it and there is a <slight> smell of burned components, so maybe mine simply fried?? There's also a fair amount of components on the circuit board that appear to have been added after the design of the board. Patches?? Maybe there's a newer version available that's more stable??

More reports to follow after I obtain the replacement........

bassplayer

Aipex8:
Thanks for the confirmation on wire placement.
My Audiolink gets fairly hot. Can anyone else verify if the unit normally gets hot while in use?