This is a follow up from a previous post.

Installed my IPOD2CAR interphase this afternoon. My setup runs my video ipod through the facory head unit running the factory Bose speakers.

First the bad:

Originally bought the IPOD2CAR install kit at the Best Buy after reading the claims on the box that said 'everything included nothing extra needed'. Turned out I did, in fact, need an extra plug because my car did not come with factory pre run CD changer cables installed. Wasted a bunch of time pulling carpets, center console and radio not to mention hold time on the phone waiting for tech support for some help.

Now some good:

Peripheral products (makers of this interphase) acknowledged this was their error and sent me part number GMH20TC, which was the extra cable I needed, free of charge.

Now some really good:

After installing and firing up the IPOD the sound was absolutely what I expected. It was just like listening to a CD. It was fantastic. Folks, this is the only way to listen to your MP3s/IPOD. Throw away your FM modulators imidiately.

Hold on now, a little bad:

I noticed, what I beleive to be, the Peripheral interphase picking up some backround noise and possibly generating some of it's own. It is only discernable if no music is playing and the volume is crancked at between 80%-100%. It sounds like a light/mild buzz/humm, (this may or may not be be interphase generated), coupled with what seems to be seconds, as in time passing, ticking away (this may be backround noise from the head unit's clock).

I doubled checked and rechecked all my new conections and its associated wiring and can not get rid of this mild backround noise. It continues with either the engine operating or shutdown.

Time for good news again:

As I said this noise is only audible if nothing is playing and at abnormally loud (for me anyway, and I love my music LOUD...I play guitar), volume setting. Again, for all practical porpouses, this noise is almost a non issue, ...almost...I'm a damn perfectionist.


For sound quality, on a scale of 1.0 to 5.0, I would rated this a 4.9.
But because of the mild backround buzz/humm/ticking (that you normally can't hear anyway) I am only giving this a 4.5

As far as working as advertised, I only give this a 4.2. Sometimes this thing won't shift to the next/previous song when comanded via the factory head unit. You have to try it several times before it obeys you. However, to me, it does not matter since I can control the ipod via the ipod itself. This will be my primary means of controlling my set up.



Has anyone else experienced any backround noise with this thing?

Enjoy

Matt

 

i use the fm more than anything else. i have a 6 disc cd changer, a cassette, XM, Am, and yes...even an 8 track. but i have to say i use the fm the most. i use the cd and xm a lot to...but generally its fm. and yes...i even use the 8 track and cassette. the 8 track is separate..but it works and its right under the regular stereo so its easy to access. when you live right outside of philadelphia... you dont need anything else...because you get the trenton stations, philadelphia stations, and the allentown stations. levittown has it all. the best classic rock radio station in the northeast and 3rd in the USA comes from princeton new jersey (97.5 THE HAWK). it has a VERY strong signal and serves trenton, allentown. philadelphia, levittown/bristol, All of bucks county and even parts of deleware. also...we have the third best station for classic rock on the east coast (102.9 WMGK) and 7th in the USA. it comes from philly and serves almost the exact same range as 97.5.

 

Sounds like you have a lot of chanels to choose from up there. I'm originally from NY and there was always some good stuff playing up there too.

When I said throw away your FM modulators I didn't mean to stop listening to or disabling your FM radio :0) What I meant was that if you have your IPOD sending signals to your head unit via an "FM modulator" type device, that the sound quality is of a lesser quantity than if you had your IPOD directly plugged into your head unit.

Oh and dude, what's an 8Track?

Enjoy

 

I have not experienced the hum you mention. After reading your post, I went out and tested it by cranking the volume between tracks -- I didn't notice any hum or ticking (but my ears are probably a lot older, and worn out from standing in front of a bass amp while playing).

My iPod2car replaces the factory 12-disc changer, so I already had the cable, plus, I leave the iPod in the back, and just work the radio. On a few rare occasions, it has also messed up on a "next track" or "previous track" command.

 

I installed mine on Wednesday and it sucks. Half the time it just stops working...the IPOD is still working but the display switches back to Track 1 Song 1 and I get nothing. Turn the radio off and then back on and it sometimes comes back. Sometimes I have to unplug the Ipod and plug it back in. Mine is going back. Thankfully I had already decided to replace the whole audio system and bought the Kenwood interface for the Ipod. Hopefully it works better.

 

lol. an 8 track is a form of tape that was around along with records...only records are better...and they are still being made when 8 tracks are not

 

Are there any jumper switches on your adapter box? If so, are you sure that they are set correctly?

 

Yes, jumpers 3 and 8 are on, per the instructions.

 

Ok good; another thing to try: disconnect one of the AUX plugs to the adapter box (at the passenger footwell fusebox) for a few seconds and reconnect. The one that is readily accessible and has three wires (orange, green, and black w/white stripe). I believe this is the power plug...

Mine had wigged out after I had replaced my car battery and this cured my issue (similar to yours)

 

Hey thanks for doing this for me. I'll call their tech dept and see if this has been reported to them before. Maybe mine is defective.

I also took the vette out today since it was just a beutifull day here in Indi. This was the first time I got to listen to this thing out on the road since my instal. Man this thing sounds so good even with the stock speakers. I could only imagine what it would sound like if I were to upgrade the speakers.

Great having my 3500+ song music colection with me at my finger tips as well.


Matt

Matt

 

 

I'm using the iPod adapter marketed by mp3yourcar.com but I believe it is identical to the iPod2car adapter you guys are using (says Peripheral on it right?); well, I don't have the buzz/hum/ticking noise that you are experiencing so hopefully it's either a bad connection somewhere or a defective unit

Have you verified all of your connections?

 

Boeingman- I'm actually going through an install right now, and don't want to pay the $40+ to have the shop do it... I don't have CD changer wires run either, is there any way I can keep all the wiring in the dash?

You mentioned that Peripheral had to send you another cable, is this all I will need to keep it in the dash?

 

If your vette did not come with a OEM 6CD changer in the trunk, you most likely do not have the pre run CD changer wires installed. If you DO NOT have the pre run wires installed, then you will need an extra harness. That is, if your installing the IPOD2CAR interface "KIT". I suggest you call Peripheral products, makers if this interface and tell what you got and ask for some help.

If you bought the kit that 'said everything needed for an install, nothing else to purchase', as I did, I would call them an explain that they made a mistake in advertising and that they should honor their claims by sending you the extra harnes free of charge. You may get lucky and they may honor this request.

You also asked if there was any chance you can keep all the wiring in the dash. Sorry, not sure if your asking wether you will have to rip out any existing wires that are already installed in your dash, but the answer to that is no.

If your asking if after getting the extra harnes will you be able to install the extra harnes in the dash, the answer to that is yes. This harnes is maybe 1 foot long and will easly fit behind the radio. In fact this harness is meant ot hook up to the radio. This harness should not be confused with the pre run CD changer harness. The harness they will send you makes the so caled "pre existing CD changer wiring" not necessary.

Sorry if all this sounds confusing but I am in Atlanta this evening and I am kind of tired.

Again, call Peripheral products they will tell you exactly what you need.

You can do this instal yourself. It's not hard to do. The 40$ the instaler is asking to instal this thing for you is not a bad price considering they will probably do it faster than you can and they probably have these secret cables somewhere in their stash to make any set up work. As for me, I like to do all instals and mods myself 'cause it's just plane fun for me. How else are you going to learn to work on your car unles you do it yourself.

Enjoy
Matt

 

Thanks for the info. Yes I checked and tripled checked all my new conections before I put everything back together. Also checked that I had the right DIP switched turned on and off.

Thanks again

Matt

 

Sounds good

I pulled my dash apart on Saturday only to find out that I did not have the right cables, so I know I can handle the install. I just want to be able to have the ipod up front as opposed to in the trunk.

There was plenty of room behind the A/C controls, so I'll try to stuff all the wiring there if I can.

Thanks for the help and I'll call peripheral tomorrow...

 

I think having your IPOD right in front of you is the right choice. You will find that, until someone comes out with a better mouse trap, controling your ipod music selections thorugh the IPOD itself is the best way to manage your selections.

Have fun
Matt

 

i placed my little interface box right on top of one of the modules under the a/c unit. works just fine there. That way I had plenty of room for all those bulky connectors to stick behind the a/c unit.

 

Just a followup to what DPG mentioned, I found a nice cubby hole/spot along the passenger side wall in the footwell area (remove the panel hanging above the passenger footwell area, there's a courtesy light attached to this panel). To remove this panel, you simply pull down on each side (there are two plastic fasteners holding it to the dash).

Be careful not to yank too hard on the panel once you have the fasteners loose so as not to damage the electrical connection to the courtesy light; there should be enough slack in the courtesy light harness to allow you to leave it in place.

Once you have the panel removed (I left mine hanging while I stuffed the cables), if you look up and to the far right (along the fender wall), there is a perfect spot to stuff the adapter box and the excess COR-HAR CD-changer harness cabling

I bought some thin black mesh (air filter) material at Home Depot and wrapped the adapter box and the excess cabling in this stuff to minimize unwanted squeaks/rattles...

Larry

 

As you can see I am a tad new here.
I have had a 78 pace car and the original C5 Roadster (1998).

I am taking delivery of an '06 vert with cd changer Bose, etc. I gather this is located in the trunk.
Being neither mechanically or electrically inclined, I have no intention of ripping out interior panels and factory radios.

Do I gather from this thread that adding my Ipod (video) at the cd changer in the trunk will be rather easy BUT (1) the Ipod will then be located in the trunk in torrid Texas weather,and (2) that the factory radio head will control the Ipod somewhat inconsistently? All if I buy the ipod2car setup?

Are there other proven options which would
(1) involve no interior modifications
(2) keep the Ipod inside the car
(3) be better music quality than the common everyday FM mod