Hey all!

So after scouring the forum for a couple days to find a good idea for an Aux-IN iPod/iPhone connection. I've found the one that shows the DIY on how to hook up your CD player to the AUX-IN cables, as well as the DIYs for how to install iPod adapters and DIYs on how to take a tape deck module and then attach an auxiliary cable to it as well.

Now here's my question, that maybe an electrical engineer, or someone good with electronics and wiring harnesses can help me figure out. Is there a way to be able to splice an 3.5mm Male and RCA female so that it can go directly into the connectors in the back of the radio unit so that, when I press the tape button, a current runs, it feels like there's a tape there, but really, there is just a auxiliary cable.

Hopefully, I didn't confuse anyone too much here, but I really got thinking about this earlier and have been looking for a while now and haven't found anything.

Basically:
Connection at the back of the unit to wherever the tape player normally would be connected.
Someone presses Tape/MD who doesn't actually have a Tape player
The relay registers that there is a connection
The iPod/iPhone can be played through this relay
Life goes on a happy path and said user is jammin' out to tunes while actually using that damned useless button

 

Should be doable, after all its just a switch. Must be some wiring diagrams around?

 

That's why I'm unsure of what to look for. if I were to find the switch, I wouldn't know which contact does what, which to solder to what, where to run what.

 

http://www.gromaudio.com/store/aux_a...nterface_.html

Why not just get this? Mine came from a friend Which came with the red and white RCA cables instead of the 3.5mm connector.

 

^ +1

i have this great idea. it's called a wheel, and it's going to be round and roll real good. i already have this boulder, i just need to get my hands on a good hammer and chisel

 

you just described this, which works on all firmware head units http://www.sylfex.com/products/AuxMod/

 

Was hoping for like a 10 dollar solution, because I've seen both of those. The GROM one was my last resort, but from what I've seen, if you have the single disc non-mp3 player, things tend to not work with your ish. And keyword for most of this is "tape botton"

 

http://www.whatsmyip.org/ipodrx8/

i did this when i first bought my 8 only thing is you need a SMOOTH STEADY hand my friend who soders did it for me i took it all apart and all you need is a digital silence cd playing that can be downloaded anywhere for free and then just burn and plug your ipod in only thing is if you ruin it the stereo is DONE and your warranty will be voided if you have it

 

total cost if done CORRECTLY 3 bucks for the wire with 3.5 on one end from radio shack a blank cd and soder stuff if you dont have any

 

Ok, I've read all of these, and the issues are that I don't want to run it through my CD player. I want to try to utilize the tape deck. One of the biggest issues is that my CD player is very skippy for some reason, and if I were to do an AUX cable to the CD player, it would just skip I believe!

Hoping to be able to utilize the Tape Deck connections :-)

 

Dont you just love how everyone has to post something completely irrelevant tot he topic?

Anyways, I have thought about this in the past. I will further look into this and perhaps ask a few fellow electrical engineers after finals . I am currently running the CD player hack but I much prefer your idea.

 

Honestly, after reading this, I wanted to kiss you. I totally agree, I specifically put in the first post that I know people are going to suggest the CD one, but I love that they are trying to help.

The tape button isn't ever utilized in the car UNLESS you have a tape deck, so why not rig it to work. That way, I'll never hear my iPhone/iPod skip while I'm going over bumps, and I can still use the CD player without having to remove a cd, put the one I want back in, and go on with my life!

 

is what you want doable, short answer - YES

is it feasible for the vast mojority of people to do succesfully, no.

I'm confused why you're intent on using the Tape/MD route though...? There are loads of options that work in the same fashion but instead use the existing satellite/disc changer plug in the back of the radio...?

to step out on a limb here... lets say you're already using that plug for something and wont give it up. It would be easier to fab up a switching system between two things using that existing plug, than to do what you suggest with the Tape/MD function

 

Firstly, my car does not have the Sat/Disc Changer options, which most units need in order for these iPod units to be attached. Secondly, I want to use the Tape/MD route because it's an unused icon in my car that could eventually be used for something; hopefully I can give it a function in the car.

And I agree, if somethings using it that doesn't want to give up that slot, then unfortunately, I'll have to go a different route, but as far as I know, I shouldn't have that slot being used, right? No Tape Player means that slot should be using empty/slave units that can be replaced. Correct me if I'm wrong. If it's a project that's not feasible, then shoot, at least I tried it and it came to no avail, however, I'd rather discuss it and figure out why it can't work or how to make it work if it can.

 

ah, no sat/external changer. sucks. i wasnt even aware that you could get it without the plug in the back of the radio for it(and corresponding button)

Hell, i'd try to pursue it then also. at some point I may be able to help you in regards to general principles electrically, but right now i'm to drugged up and struggling to make coherant statements

 

Yeah, so the entire button layout is exactly the same from Single Disk to Multi Disk to w/Tape deck...Lol, it's weird. So I just have to deal with that I guess. But oh well.

Yeah, I'd like to work with someone on it, the general principle makes sense, I just don't know how to execute it. Another suggestion I want to try is connect like 6 RCA to Female 3.5mm so that I can make like a plug in in my console so I just don't have the wire always laying around. :-) That'd be awesome because I could get a retractable male to male 3.5mm :-D but that's a matter for a different day. :-o

But as long as it SEEMS feasible, then i know I'm at least on the right track.

 

wait, so you HAVE the button for the Sat/Aux/external?? just nothing actually there for it to do?

if so, then you'll also have the plug on the back of the radio.

i'm sorry, i'm confused and cant concentrate

 

I repair OEM stock radios everyday.
in order to inject a line level signal into the L&R tape ports, you need to activate them at the processor level. it looks like the piece below does that by supplying a surrogate "tape running" signal to the main processor.
the board in the link looks like it installs internally on the plug intended for the tape mecha, so no matter if you have tape capability or not.. the plug is still there.
ill be doing an "aux in" mod on one of these units without the tape mecha in the next couple of weeks. i can let you know how it goes. the below unit is the one ill reccommend to the owner.
(FYI- my business has no affiliation with them)
jim

http://www.sylfex.com/products/AuxMod/

 

[QUOTE=paulmasoner;3807102]wait, so you HAVE the button for the Sat/Aux/external?? just nothing actually there for it to do?

if so, then you'll also have the plug on the back of the radio.

i'm sorry, i'm confused and cant concentrate[/QUOTED]

DOesn't have the SAT buttons I don't think, but all the tape and CD functionality buttons. Load, Tape/MD, Change CD buttons, folder buttons, all the goodies.

 

No offense to you, but your credibility is a little low due to the fact that that was your first post...I saw that module before and it seemed very interesting. Maybe I'll have to read into it more.

 

I have the auxmod in my car, was very easy to install and works perfect. It was pretty cheap as well.

 

Jim is doing it on my car, His creditability is good with me, I am quite sure he knows what he is talking about. He is offering a solution and I am quite willing to except it.

 

So you're running the aux button through the tape player? Or how does it work for you?


I would love to see what he does with this, if he is bringing a solution which will ultimately do what I'm asking for then I will definitely work with him to find the answer! However, all I've been hearing is that there has been something done which isn't what I want to try. He has offered a reasonable explanation as to what I am trying to do would not necessarily work, and I hope to see evidence to what he is saying also :-)

If the Auxmod is the only way to go about doing what I am trying to do, then shoot, I'll spend the 60 bucks and go that route. But I wanted to try something new, and something a little cheaper (hopefully) for people who like doing these radio shack like DIY's. Like the Puddle lights, footwell lights, auto windows, and remote windows are all awesome modules someone can do and for the cheap. Hopefully we can do this with the Tape button also :-D

 

THe only reason why I am looking into this is because I want to tinker with it . Sure I can go buy a $60 module that basically plug and plays, but wheres the fun in that?

 

^ Thank you! S'how I feel, but I'm not very diagram savvy.