Discountcarstereo.com

How to add an iPod to my car radio

Peripheral PXAMG-H iPod/HD Radio adapter for Select 2007-Up VW displays text on all VW Radios with SAT button
Click here for more details.

1. The easiest way is to plug the iPod into the input jack on the car stereo. Unfortunately, many car stereos do not have an input jack so we must use a different solution to connect our iPod to the car stereo.

2. Cassette adapter:

A cassette adapter connects to your iPod's headphone output, plays on your car's cassette deck.

3. FM Transmitters:

For those who do not have an input jack or a cassette player there is still one last solution. A couple of companies make short-range FM transmitters. The wireless FM transmitter, like the cassette adapter, plug into your iPod's headphone output, the transmitter sends a low-powered FM signal to your car radio. Wireless FM transmitter signals are susceptible to static and outside interference, and can vary in strength and quality depending on your location.

4. Auxiliary inputs adapters:
An auxiliary input adapter takes audio information from the audio device (iPod, MP3 Player, DVD, Game, Computer and etc) and makes a direct connection to the radio CD Changer or SAT port. Most if not all auxiliary input adapters require that you disconnect the external cd changer or xm tuner .
They are two types of auxiliary input adapters: Aftermarket and Factory (OEM).

a. Aftermarket Auxiliary Input:

RCA- line level input: Usually located on the back of a car radio, (though certain models offer a convenient front-panel input), you'll have to run a mini jack-to-RCA cable from under the dash for the iPod to plug into.
CD Changer port input: Usually located on the back of the aftermarket radio, you'll have to run a manufacturer specific adapter cable from the radio CD Changer port to the audio device. ( Any device making use of the CD Changer port must be disconnected to use these adapters).

To further illustrate this connection, we will be connecting an iPod to an aftermarket Pioneer P-Bus headunit.
1. Purchase a PIO/P-3.5m Pioneer P-Bus to 3.5mm adapter cable (this cable is 6ft long with a right angle 3.5mm (headphone-type) jack on one end (See Fig. 02) and a male P-BUS connector on the other [See Fig. 03 (right)]. Connect the 3.5mm end to the iPod headphone output jack (See Fig. 02).
2. Route the PIO/P-3.5m male P-Bus plug to the back of the dash and connect it to the headunit female P-BUS connector (located on the rear of the radio or radio harness) (See Fig. 03)
3.Turn on the Pioneer stereo and enable the "AUX" option as outlined in the stereo's user manual.
Note: If the audio device does not have a 3.5mm jack output (ie. DVD player, Game system etc) a Pioneer PIO/P-RCA must be used along with a patch long enough to extend from behind the radio to the audio source.

You may apply the above procedure when connecting an iPod, satellite radio, DVD Player, Game systems etc to Alpine, Sony, Kenwood, Eclipse, Clarion, Blaupunkt, JVC etc aftermarket radios with a CD changer port AND auxiliary input capabilities. Each manufacturer requires a unique cable available here!

Auxiliary inputs provide a direct connection from the iPod or audio device to the receiver, they give you the cleanest and most detailed possible sound in your car.

Note: Auxiliary input adapters do not control or charge the external device (iPod, DVD player, SAT radio, MP3 etc), they only transfer the audio from the external device to your stereo, you control external devices from their buttons or remote controls.

b. Factory (OEM):

 These adapters, make use of the CD changer port on the back of factory (OEM) radios and in most cases you must disconnect the †CD Changer to install these devices. And like aftermarket auxiliary inputs, you'll have to run a 3.5mm-to-RCA cable from under the dash for the iPod or audio device to plug into, they also give you the cleanest and most detailed possible sound in your car.

To further illustrate this connection, we will be connecting an iPod to a Honda factory radio using the DF-HON dual auxiliary input adapter.

1. Purchase one or two 3.5m jack-to-RCA adapter cables.

2. Connect the 3.5mm end to the iPod headphone output (See Fig. 02)

3. Install the DF-HON as per manufacturers instructions (usually behind the dashboard, glove box or any convenient location)

4. Route the male RCA-end of the adapter cable to the DF-HON and connect them to the DF-HON audio input jacks (See Fig. 05)

5. The DF-HON includes a CB-H78 harness (See Fig.04). This harness has an 8-pin DIN connector and a 14-pin MOLEX connector on one end  and an 8-pin connector on the other.

6. 1997-Older Honda/Acura radios:
Remove the rubber cover with the silver warning tape and plug the round metal end of the CB-H78 to the back of the radio. (see Fig. 2)
1998-Up Accords and all other 99 and Up Hondas:
Connect the blue 14-pin Male Connector on the CAS-H78 cable (see Fig. 1) to the CD Changer connector on the back of the radio. (see Fig. 3)
Note: This interface will not fit Honda 14-pin white connector found in recent models.

7. Connect the round DIN plug on the other end of the CAS-H78i cable to the DF-HON interface adapter box labeled "TO RADIO" (see Fig. 06)

8. Turn on the Honda radio and press TRACK UP/DOWN buttons to switch between Aux1 & Aux2. [radio display shows "CD6 Track 1" for Aux1 & "CD6 Track 2" for Aux2.]

You may apply the above procedure when connecting an iPod, satellite radio, DVD player, Game system, etc in Audi, Acura, BMW, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Mini, Nissan, Scion, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo factory radio with CD changer controls. Each vehicle manufacturer requires a unique interface available here!

Note: Auxiliary input adapters do not control or charge the external device (iPod, DVD player, SAT radio, MP3 etc), they only transfer the audio from the external device to your stereo, you control external devices from their buttons or remote controls.

† You can install an auxiliary input device and retain the factory cd changer in select vehicles [see our docking station for more details]

5. iPod Adapters:

These interfaces are made specifically to connect your iPod to your factory radio or aftermarket radio. Like Auxiliary input adapters, iPod Adapters connect to your factory radio CD changer port and to the iPod, so the sound quality is optimal. They can display* the information on your iPod's menu on your factory radio's screen, and allow you to navigate through your iPod's song collection using your factory radio controls, including steering wheel controls -- and contribute significantly to safer driving. iPod Adapters also charges your iPod automatically, making it the ideal solution for long trips.

Check out this short installation tutorial created to help our customers get a better understanding of this simple and easy process. Please understand that your vehicle setup may differ, but the basics are the same.

Fig 01

Fig. 02

Fig. 03

Fig. 04

Fig. 05

Fig. 06

 USASPEC PA11-HON (PA11-HON2)
HONDA/ACURA/VOLVO/MERCEDES BENZ iPod Adapter Installation Tutorial
(also helpful when installing the DF-HON, HON-AUX, HON98-AUX, auxiliary interface adapter)

Fig. 0

1. For your safety we ask you disconnect the negative battery terminal.
(Some radios are coded so please have the radio code handy, you will need to enter this code when your done).

2. Remove radio from the dash. (USASpec does not include radio removal instruction)

Honda/Acura/ radios with 8-pin CD Changer Connectors:
On the CB-H78 harness --- remove the rubber cover with silver warning tape and connect it to the 8-Pin back of the radio. (see Fig. 2)

1998-02 Accords and all other 99 and Up Hondas:
Leave rubber cover on the 8-pin connector -- Take the blue 14-pin Male Connector on the CAS-H78 cable (see Fig. 1) and connect it to the 14-pin  CD Changer connector on the back of the radio. (see Fig. 3)
WARNING!!: The PA11-HON interface does not work/fit Honda 14-pin white connector found in recent 2003-Up Accord and others---  see the PA11-HON2

1991-05 Volvo
The CAS-VOL harness (purchased separately) is used instead of the CA-SH78 harness. Connect the mini 8-Pin round connector on the CAS-VOL harness to the 8-pin mini connector on the back of the Volvo radio (see Fig. 3A). On radio harness locate the ignition wire (this wire is +12v when the ignition is set to "ON") and connect the red wire of the CAS-VOL to it. Next locate the battery wire (this wire is +12v regardless of the key position in the ignition) and connect the yellow wire of the CAS-VOL to it. Failure to connects these wires as described may cause the car battery to die if the iPod is left connected overnight or for an extended time period.

1994-98 Mercedes Benz
The CAS-M4 or CB-PM4 harness (purchased separately) is used instead of the CA-SH78 harness. Connect the rectangular 12-Pin connector on the CAS-M4 or CB-PM4 harness to the 12-Pin connector in the trunk

1995-00 CHRYSLER
The CDL-CJ harness (purchased separately) is used instead of the CA-SH78 harness. Connect the 8-Pin DIN plug of the CDL-CJ harness to the 8-Pin connector on the back of the Radio

3. Connect the round DIN plug on the other end of the CAS-H78i cable to the PA11-HON interface adapter box labeled "RADIO" (see Fig. 4)

4. Optional: The PA11-HON interface is capable of controlling the iPod and also capable or accepting a single auxiliary audio input. The additional audio source connects to the RCA input jack labeled "AUX AUDIO INPUT" (see Fig 5).  If you choose to use the Auxiliary audio option, dip switch #1 must be set to "OFF" (it is preset to "ON" at the factory) see Fig.4. See the PA11-HON user manual for more details.

5. Decide what mode of operation best suits your style (Direct mode or Playlist mode).. see user manual for mode selection

6. Connect the mini DIN plug on the CB-PA14 (see Fig. 6) to the PA11-HON box connector labeled "iPod" (see Fig 5)

7. Route the CB-PA14 dock-connector-plug to the iPod location (i.e. center console, glove box, cup holder etc), DO NOT CONNECT iPod YET.

8. Reconnect Negative battery terminal

9. Connect the CB-PA14 dock-connector-plug to the iPod. The battery charging symbol will show next to the battery indicator.

10. Wait a few seconds while the iPod interfaces searches for all the playlist (s), searching time may vary depending on the number or playlists (s) or mode selected in step 5.

11. If set to DIRECT MODE: After connecting the iPod to the interface, the iPod will show a "HONDA OK to disconnect" (Playlist mode) (See Fig.7). This message means the iPod or iPod mini is in external mode control and proper synchronization is done. Or a regular ipod display (Direct mode) (see Fig. 1A)
 

12. If a few minutes has passed and the message does not appear, disconnect the iPod or iPod mini and re-connect.

13. Press the "CD" button on your radio to engage CD-Changer/iPod mode. If the iPod is not connected to the dock-connector or to the interface, the radio will display "NO MAGAZINE".

14. Once in the CD Changer/iPod mode, the radio will display "DISC 1 TR 1", this means the radio is playing the 1st song of the 1st playlist.
 

15. Once radio is in the right mode, simply press SEEK ► and SEEK◄ buttons to change between songs or use the button on the iPod (depending on mode selection in step 5)

16. Use the different presets 1-6 (See Fig.8) to change playlist (s) (Playlist mode)

The "on the go" feature of the iPod is not supported. (playlist mode)

This concludes this brief installation tutorial, we hope this helps in your decision to purchase this easy-to-install and safe-to-use option. DIY and save $50-100 on installation charges.

Your feedback is appreciated.

Discount Car Stereo.com
Serving the internet community since 1995
Now in our 11th year of online service and support.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 3A

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

Fig. 6

Fig. 7

Fig. 7A

Fig. 8

Footnotes
* This interface does not display artist name, track name or any such information on Honda/Volvo/Mercedes Benz factory (OEM) radios, they will display track number and playlist number.