Ipod in my Altima

[androp]

Hi everyone,

Ok, got my 20GB 3G working with iTrip in my car but I have to admit the sound quality is poor. Question, I Have a 2002 Nissan Altima with the Bose sound system. How can I find out if there is a way to hook the iPOD into my car stereo via inputs? What are my options? I'm reading the forums for some answers in the mean time.

Thanks in advance.

[Mediahound]

i don't know off hand if your car stereo has inputs, but if it does, a car stereo install person could wire it with an accessible jack to plug the iPod into.

if it does not, then you can get a wired FM modulator that is wired between the car radio and the antenna. Alpine makes a pretty good one that has easy controls to change tune the station and is also XM Satellite radio ready. Having this professionally installed will probably run you about $80. + the cost of the modulator which is $100. I believe.

[lupowolf]

Have you tried calling a Nissan dealer? I have a 1999 Altima, and I'm planning to call the dealer to see if I can get an AUX adapter or connection hooked up to my factory stereo.

[sink]

I had the same question about an AUX jack (I've got an Altima 2003, but with Stock stereo). I checked out the forums at www.altimas.net to find out that the stock stereo DOES NOT have an AUX... ####.

[Liam-Gallagher]

Originally posted by sink
I had the same question about an AUX jack (I've got an Altima 2003, but with Stock stereo). I checked out the forums at www.altimas.net to find out that the stock stereo DOES NOT have an AUX... ####.
I've a '03 v6 altima as well

so it means there isn't any way to plug my ipod to the car stereo?


if you've found a way please let me know.

[sink]

Apparently, you're buying a new deck, or you're buying an FM transmitter.

[Liam-Gallagher]

NOP... i've just hooked up my ipod to my nissan altima v6 2003 using a switch , rca cables

and it rocks!

[sink]

What kind of "switch"? Do you have any pics? Do you have the stock deck?

Info please!!

[Liam-Gallagher]

Originally posted by sink
What kind of "switch"? Do you have any pics? Do you have the stock deck?

Info please!!

it is a switch that changes from FM/AM /CD to AUX
and yes I do have the stock deck and pics as well

I posted the pics in the "For Nissan Altima" Drivers

[chorus]

Can you post a link? I can't find the "For Nissan Altima" drivers you mentioned.


thanks

[chorus]

Originally posted by chorus
Can you post a link? I can't find the "For Nissan Altima" drivers you mentioned.


thanks

Found it:
http://www.ipodlounge.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18808&highlight=nissan+altima

[Pnkrck83]

i made a custom cable that I soldered directly to some pins on the cd changer plug. I also added a switch that would change the head unit into aux mode. I had a detailed post on here but it was lost when the forum crashed. Oh yeah, it is a 98 and i think the unit is a calrion so this probaly doesn't help.

[DoobyDoo]

It seems like the stock stereo for 03 and up doesn't have the aux ins. I have a 04 and it didn't have the aux in.

In the end I went with an alpine deck and arkon mount. Its awesome. Just recently I tried an itrip and found a fairly good working signal in the LA area. The Aux in sounds a little more clearer but I do miss the stock look and I might just part with the Alpine and go back to Stock and use an Itrip....

[sink]

I'm about to attempt this, but I'm no electronics wiz. Can anyone fill me in on the ins- and outs-?

Does anyone have any pics of the actual cable? Or a better description of it?

Thanks!

[dbett]

You don't specify which Bose system you have. If it has the ability to control a CD changer, there is the possibility that you can get an adapter that will change an RCA input to the CD changer input.

But, if you have the Bose system with an in-dash CD changer (like I do), you can't get such an adapter because the stereo doesn't have the CD changer connection.

But, you can use a hardwired fm modulator. That would be installed between the car antenna and the stereo. It then directly "broadcasts" through the antenna wire. Here's what one looks like:



However, if you use one in a Nissan, you will probably need two antenna adapter cables. The Nissans use a special antenna plug that has two prongs - instead of the standard bullet type plug. You'll need one to change the two prong plug from the antenna to a bullet plug that can then be plugged into the modulator. And a second that will change the bullet plug output cable from the modulator and change it to a two prong plug that will fit into the stereo.

I have used the above modulator in my 2002 Maxima that has the Bose 6 disc in-dash cd system and it works great.

Check out my thread (http://www.ipodlounge.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22948) for details.

[sink]

Sorry, but I was referring to the earlier part of the thread. I have a 03 Altima with the stock deck. I've heard that some people have had success in creating a custom cable to plug into the CD changer jack.

Anyone have any ideas?

[DoobyDoo]

I think I read something like that awhile back. A search might help. Or you can try, http://www.altimas.net/forum/.

I think someone soldered cables directly to the chip board on the stock stereo. I don't have enough knowledge and I didnt' want to fry the board so I just went with an Alpine deck.

[spiff]

Hi Dbett, I take it you are happy with the Audiovox modulator. Does it cut out the regular antenna when in use or does it over power the other signals? Did you have any problems finding a cord to convert the regular headphone jack into two RCA's left and right (or is only one RCA input?) Pretty slick install by the way, I wish I was talented enough to do something like that :-)

Spiff

[sink]

As far as the cable, a mini-jack to RCA is pretty common. Hit Radio Shack.

[sink]

I think I might be not quite understanding... does the Audivox modulator hook directly to the car antenna, thus eliminating static? Does it also need additional hardware to get it to work? Does it work with any car stereo?

Thanks!

[dbett]

Originally posted by spiff
Hi Dbett, I take it you are happy with the Audiovox modulator. Does it cut out the regular antenna when in use or does it over power the other signals? Did you have any problems finding a cord to convert the regular headphone jack into two RCA's left and right (or is only one RCA input?) Pretty slick install by the way, I wish I was talented enough to do something like that :-)

Spiff

The Audiovox cuts off the regular antenna - or at least it does at and around the frequency (89.1) that it broadcasts on. I still get some, but not good, reception at other frequencies. But, regardless, there is absolutely no interference at 89.1 - the iPod signal is crystal clear.

I used the miniplug to RCA plug cable (made by Monster) that came with the iPod Stereo connection kit that Apple sells. I bought the kit because I needed the extra dock for my car install, and I wanted the extra AC adapter for travel use.

[dbett]

Originally posted by sink
I think I might be not quite understanding... does the Audivox modulator hook directly to the car antenna, thus eliminating static? Does it also need additional hardware to get it to work? Does it work with any car stereo?

Thanks!

The Audiovox has the following connections:

(1) "Female" antenna cable that you connects to the antenna cable which currently goes into the back of the car's stereo.

(2) "Male" antenna cable that then plugs into the back of the car stereo.

Note: On my Maxima (and I think most, if not all, Nissans) you need two antenna cable adapters. The modulators all use standard "bullet" type antenna connectors - they look like thin cigarette lighter adapters. But Nissan uses a different connection that has a 2 prong plug - more like a regular AC power plug. One adapter takes the male end of the cable from the antenna and converts it to a male bullet plug that fits into the modulator's antenna input cable. The other adapter takes the male bullet plug that comes out of the modulator and converts it to a male 2 prong plug that fits into the factory Nissan stereo.

(3) Two power cables. One "hot" (+12 volts DC) and one ground. I tapped those into the two wires that feed the car's cigarette lighter jack. I first ran the tapped lines through a DC power noise filter from Radio Shack. That same tap also powers a second cigarette lighter jack I installed behind the dash. A Belkin car adapter plugs into that second adapter.

(4) Two "Female" RCA jacks. One for the left channel and one right channel. One end of the miniplug to RCA plug adapter cable plugs into the dock's line out and then the other connects with the modulator's RCA jacks.

[YoungClay]

I too have a 2002 Altima and have been using the iTrip with some success, but the static and low fidelity aer really starting to annoy me.

I found this on the web and am thinking of ordering one. Has anyone else tried this product?

http://www.virtualo.net/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=57

-Clay

[YoungClay]

I ordered the cable I mentioned above and it sounds great.

Here are some of my installation pics:

http://www.thelandrumfamily.com/index.php?set_albumName=album22&option=com_gallery&Itemid=42&include=view_album.php

-Clay

[StarkRavingCalm]

i made a custom cable that I soldered directly to some pins on the cd changer plug. I also added a switch that would change the head unit into aux mode. I had a detailed post on here but it was lost when the forum crashed. Oh yeah, it is a 98 and i think the unit is a calrion so this probaly doesn't help.
Help me Pnkrck83, you're my only hope.



I have a 98 Altima (Clarion) and am trying to hardwire it into the CD Changer plug in the back. One of the challenges I face is telling the unit to switch to CD Change mode.
Do you have pics from how you did this?

[StarkRavingCalm]

In one of 'chorus's replies to this thread:

http://forums.ilounge.com/showthread.php?t=8652

He claims he has some circuitry for the Nissan Bose radio to switch to AUX mode by hitting the CHG buttin in the HU. He never posted back his results and he no longer seems to be a regular poster here.

Did anyone get the circuit from him?
Does it work?
Does anyone know how to get in touch with him? (pm me please)

[zeyado2000]

Hi guys,

I went to a car stereo shop today to see if I can get a descent solution to play iphone through my car bose stereo without having to use an FM transmitter. I was told that USA SPEC, DICE, Prephiral are all not compatible with my Altima 2002 bose stereo. My stereo is the basic one with a CD dash and radio (identical to the one clay is showing in his pics).

Is there any other option that can allow me to use my iphone through my car stereo and through my steering wheel control?

Clay, How is your RCA AUX installation works? The shop told me that it is the only soluction. How clear is it and do you recommend it? It will cost me 180$ to install so I want to make sure that it worths it.

Thanks
Zain