Car iPod stereo installation
Question:
Your columns and information are fantastic. They are a great help and are very interesting.
I was wondering if you could help me with one project. I want to add an MP3 jack to my existing car stereo so that I can play my iPOD directly through the system from the iPOD’s headphones output. I know that there are ready-to-use commercial converters that can play my iPOD through the radio, but I do get radio interference from these devices and the sound quality is not as good as a direct plug device (I have another car that is newer that is already equipped with an MP3 input jack and it sounds much better through it than through a FM transmitter device).
I realize what I am talking about involves pulling the stereo out of the car and doing some level of electrical soldering. I thought of two methods on how this might be done. They are really theories at this point since I never have done this and I am not an electronics person. Therefore, I would appreciate your comments on how to do this or tell me if its not possible. Method/theory 1 involves using the iPOD’s headphone jack as the output and adding a jack that is connected to the to the stereo’s “AUX” function button for the input. I presume I would solder the jack wires to it to the AUX connections somewhere if I can find them. Or even if I didn’t have an AUX function, I theorize that I could add it to the same connections the “CD” function button is connected to and it would work so long as I am not attempting to play an actual CD and the iPOD as the same time. I realize with this method I would have to power the iPOD either from its own battery or use the car’s 12V power (cigarette lighter). Method/theory 2 is that I could wire a full iPOD cradle connection (the bottom port of the iPOD) directly into the car stereo/CD so that it not only connects the output of the iPOD to the input of the stereo, but it would also power the iPOD for a cleaner system (eliminates the separate power cord). Can you provide some advice on how to do either of these tasks, specifically how to locate and identify the connections?
Answer:
I can provide a little advice, but not the detail you asked for on how to locate and identify the connections for your stereo. That all depends on your stereo model itself. If it’s an aftermarket model, it should come with a manual with that detail. If it’s the original car stereo, then either your car manual will have the info, or just take your car to a dealership for that brand, and ask a technician. I’m guessing they’ll give you that information for free, or may have a manual you can use. Finally, another option is the Chilton or Hayes car repair books. I’m not sure if they have that level of information, but you can find them free at a library, or browse through them at any big bookstore or Autozone shop.
Method/theory 1 involves using the iPOD’s headphone jack as the output and adding a jack that is connected to the to the stereo’s “AUX” function button for the input.
This seems the easiest, most logical method of doing what you want, and is probably what I would try.
A note that if your stereo plays cassettes, you can also get a stereo-output-to-cassette-converter, so that you plug your iPod output directly into your tape desk. I have this on another car and it works great (far better than the iPod radio rebroadcast devices).
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