Ok so i know i'm gonna get flamed for this but i searched and couldn't find an answer......


I baught the Mazda ipod adapter, And after the dealership dicked me for a couple months, saying *o we can't work you in at this time, come back later and we'll get it installed.....* (which since i know the dealership owner, they all got their asses chewed for it).........Anyway, i got tired of it so i decided to install it myself *I.E. i finally got the time to do it*. So to begin with, when i openned the box i noticed it did not come with instructions of ANY kind for the RX8.......After i installed it, i have noticed this....

The Ipod is controlled by the head unit, But theres no control of what playlist it plays. I looked it up on the forum and on google and everyone says, that your supposed to put it on a playlist and then plug it in. Its supposed to play that list, and then when you hit next cd, its supposed to goto the next playlist down. Well mine won't do that. At first it would goto *all artists* and when u hit next cd it would go to a random artist *like it would skip from 12 stones (at top) all the way down to sevendust........* Now it doesn't even do that. Now it just makes up its own random playlist, most of which only have 1 or 2 songs......


Can anyone help fix this? Or am i missing something?

 

Try this, last paragraph.

https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...0&postcount=11

 

Thanks man. Thats worked.....lol...

I dunno why i never found that when i searched...lol

 

No problem. I help when I can.

 

PLEASE need help ! Desperate to find a solution...

My Ipod xcartlink (audiolink) isnt working on my RX8 2004 (Radio v9.55)

I tried installing 2 different Ipod Xcartlink unit to my RX8 and it's not working.
My ipod is only charging but nothing happens when I press twice on the CD button ... it's like if the radio wasnt detecting new the AUX.

First I thought that the unit I pursached was defective, and I returned it, got a new one and I installed it with the guys that sell it and it's still not working.

ANY idea? I even tried contacting the manufacturer in China but he didnt really help yet...

Anyone experienced this kind of behavior?

It seems that im the only one since everyone managed to make it work from the 1st time pretty easily ...

I already removed the HU twice to try it with no success ...
(Thanks a lot for the explanation and all the details on how to remove the HU and how to find the "bolt", you guys are amazing! =) )

 

Where did you plug it in? Can you post a picture?

 

Dont have any picture since I returned both units I tried and I resintalled the radio.

Im positive it was plugged in the right port (only one available) on the low-left when facin the HU or on the low-right when looking from the back of the HU. Again it's the only port available. I dont have Navigation system so it was already empty and ready to use.

I followed the instructions posted on this website to connect it...

Again, my Ipod was only charging .. but wasnt detected (actually the xcartlink unit itself wasnt detected by the radio).

I can provide you with any additional information....

Thank you

 

I suppose it's possible that the head unit has issues...
Did you inspect the connectors for bent or broken pins?

 

No I didnt look for any broken pins on the HU since I didnt completly take it off. I managed to sqeeze my hand behind the HU to plug in the xcarlink connector.

I'll take a look if I find anything unusual.

What else could be wrong with the HU ?

When you get the OEM Ipod Connector from Mazda, when they install, do they do anything to the firmwire of the HU ? any update? Or they also simply plug in the connector and that's it?

I called the dealer today to ask about their Ipod Connector ... It cost 189$ + tx without installation (I dont mind that) BUT their version cannot let you control the ipod from the steering wheel buttons!!!! What a rip off!

 

Sorry this is such a nightmare for you!
It was plug and pray for mine with no mods required.

You can control the IPOD play lists and everything with the OEM unit but you must do it from the HU.
The advantage is that the IPOD is out of sight.
Check the forum vendors for pricing. Where are you located?

 

My guess is that you did not have the proper firmware for that particular interface module.

 

From personal experience... the dealer tried 3 new ipod modules in the summer of '07, and finally replaced the head unit. iPod now works fine. No idea of firmware, but the car was built in the spring of '06.


edit: The steering wheel buttons work for track up/down.

 

Im from Montreal, Quebec Canada.

I tried ordering the module from the official reseller of RPM in Canada but it was out-of-stock .. so I found a bunch of local guys who are selling it for cheaper (120$).

Im really against buying ANYTHING from the dealer... First they charge you the double for any mechanical part you need .. then they charge you more than 10x the labour really needed. They said it would take 1h30 to install the ipod unit. It took me 15m on my second try....

All that said, I really want to buy an aftermarket unit for my Ipod and install it myself.

How can I determine for sure if there's smthing wrong with my HU ? And if it's the case, updating the firmware won't do it?

Thank you again guys.... your help is very appreciated.

 

So I guess your radio was still covered by the warranty?

I dont see why they would agree on replacing mine...

 

Well v9.55 to v 10.something is required. Mine is v9.55 ... and its the same interface module everyone else is using : xcartlink (previoulsy known as audiolink).

How can I ask the dealer to look into that? What should he be looking for ? Keep in mind they dont miss any occasion to charge you for anything they can...