Read this first: A guide to installing an ipod in your car

[nddl05]

Thanks for the response. I'll have to go to best buy or circuit city to make sure I could get the right converter for what I have in my car. I've heard trouble stories about the focus before. Thanks again for the info.

[Mcguirefan]

Thanks for the instructions on how to install the ipod in my car. I did find that crutchfield has the AInet adaptor and the MBus adaptor for around $15, I think the shipping was around $5. I ordered my ainet cable Fri and it got here today, so I will be completing my installation (minus the car mount) tonight. I can't wait to never have to carry around my whole CD collection on road trips again.

[tgower]

more great info. thanks Mcguirefan! tgower

[Mcguirefan]

OK, so I installed the connectors and adaptors, and ran the stereo cable under my center console to the opening on my emergency brake. I use the rubber flap that is covering the extra space created when the brake is up as a hiding spot for the cable when not in use, I just feed the excess cable back in and hide it to deter theft (I've had two brake in's, only the first time did they get anything, but the second time they bent the top of my door back and I had to pay the $250 deductible ) now with my CD player face and IPOD with me they have nothing to steal. Do any of you think that once I install the Radio Shack car mount, that will encourage theft? It will expose the stereo wire once I do. Helpful hint to deter theft of CD players, the little holes on the side of the players used to screw in the small support screws, there are usually way more holes than you can use to attach the player to the car. However, they can be used to screw razor blades (the rectangular ones with the hole in the middle) into for another guard against theft. Imagine the look on the face of a thief when they rip your console off and reach back to pull your radio out
PS: TG, I think Crutchfield is in VA so I would imagine very fast shipping to you

[bhb399mm]

crutchfield is in Charlottesville VA

[Fry-man22]

Originally posted by pobzilla
Thanks for your nice post.

I have an older Alpine cda 7839 headunit in my maxima. I have attached the correct ainet adapter to the back of the stereo, to the radio shack 3' rca converter. I have that wire attached to the SiK auto kit so it connects directly to my 3rd gen ipod.

Anyone have any idea why my car stereo isn't recognizing there's a plug in the back? I hit source and also cd-changer on my remote and it's not changing any mode other than radio and CD.

Please help me figure it out if you have any ideas.

Well, this is probably about a month late in coming, but I had the same problem with my cda-9813. The thing is, the default setting for the auxilary input is off. I guess they don't want all the people who don't use that feature having to scroll through it when switching functions. Anyway, I'm sure by now you've probably figured out how to turn the AUX input on (I never would have figured it out without the manual), but if you have lost you user manual or something, just post back/email me and I'll walk you through how to do it.
deuce22@prodigy.net

[pobzilla]

Unfortunately I don't see anything in the guide on auxillary for my unit. I think it may be a switch on the bottom of the unit but not sure.

It's probably just too old

[JazzyMac]

Hey guys--the ones that got their iPods installed at Best Buy/Circuit City--could you post your city? I went to 5-10 Best Buys/Circuit Cities in three states/six cities and they ALL looked at me silly when I asked them about hardwiring the iPod.

They said IT COULDN'T BE DONE--IMPOSSIBLE...

So perhaps if I could just call a different store. I'm still at a loss here.

Thanks!

[tgower]

Ms Jewelle:
I have not done that yet so have no idea where these could be done.
tgower

[MG315]

Originally posted by Ms_Jewelle
Hey guys--the ones that got their iPods installed at Best Buy/Circuit City--could you post your city? I went to 5-10 Best Buys/Circuit Cities in three states/six cities and they ALL looked at me silly when I asked them about hardwiring the iPod.

They said IT COULDN'T BE DONE--IMPOSSIBLE...

So perhaps if I could just call a different store. I'm still at a loss here.

Thanks!

I first went to mobile one (where I got my head unit) and asked them what was the best way to do it. They said the only way I could do it was with a FM Transmitter (they obviously don't have much experience in it) or buying a new, expensive head unit with AUX input. But then i read about the FM Modulator on this board and went up to best buy to investigate. I brought the iPod dock and told the guy in the sound department that I heard an FM Modulator could help me connect my iPod to my stereo. He said "yeah, it should work pretty good. All you would need is the fm modulator and an RCA-to-3.5mm cable. I'm sure we can do it." So they did, and it's great. I probably wouldve done the install myself but I'd probably mess something up in the car and they needed to do some custom work. I wanted the dock to be in the ash tray and that required some skills I don't have. The installation itself ended up costing more than all the parts needed, but it was cheaper than buying a new head unit.



just go there with a printout that has an FM Modulator, RCA-to-3.5mm cable, and an iPod dock and tell them to put it all together

[cptodd]

I just ordered a new Mazda 3. When I looked I noticed a "Tape/MD" button (see here: http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/mazd...jsp?car=4&id=6). Do you think that that MD stands for MiniDisk as in Sony MiniDisk? If so, what could that mean for hooking up an iPod to a Mazda 3?

[yoda_20]

I bought the Itrip and was disappointed by the sound quality. Finally I stumbled across your artical and the links you provided lead me to the cable for my Alpine CDA 7875 that i could not find. Now i am just waitting for Ups. Thanks Again!!

[bhb399mm]

Originally posted by cptodd
I just ordered a new Mazda 3. When I looked I noticed a "Tape/MD" button (see here: http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/mazd...jsp?car=4&id=6). Do you think that that MD stands for MiniDisk as in Sony MiniDisk? If so, what could that mean for hooking up an iPod to a Mazda 3?

i would assume that there would be some kind of input for a tape or MD player behind the head unit somewhere. i'd email mazda or go to a dealer and ask how they would install a tape player if you wanted one. maybe you'll get lukcy and there will be RCA inputs back there. if not, i'm sure somone (blitz or pie) will be coming out with an adapter soon

[cptodd]

Originally posted by bhb399mm
i would assume that there would be some kind of input for a tape or MD player behind the head unit somewhere. i'd email mazda or go to a dealer and ask how they would install a tape player if you wanted one. maybe you'll get lukcy and there will be RCA inputs back there. if not, i'm sure somone (blitz or pie) will be coming out with an adapter soon

I looked over at the Mazda forums and the MD/Aux port does not seem to provide an advantage. Oh well.

[snaw]

I think I know the answer already but I just want to be sure.

I live in NYC, I don't own a car (Unusually enough in in Manhattan), but do find myself renting one several times a year, for big roadtrips. These hire cars always seem to come with CD players.

I want to use my iPod (Else why post here), and I'm thinking my only real option is an FM transmitter. Do I guess right? (Please say no, cause I'm not liking what I'm hearing about them)

-J-