How you can add an aux input/mp3 player without an adapter - LS1TECH

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How you can add an aux input/mp3 player without an adapter

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Page 1 of 24 1 2 3 11 > Last Thread Tools 04-02-2007, 07:28 PM Search this Thread #1 How you can add an aux input/mp3 player without an adapter

Jason Novak
On The Tree 1998 Chevrolet Camaro Trader Rating: 0 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rice Lake, WI Posts: 173

I've finally decided to switch my 98 Camaro CD unit out for an aftermarket HU, and now I'd like to move it into my Grand Am. Since I don't have to worry about killing it now, I've decided to take it part and try to add an aux input (which isn't even possible with adapters in a 98). I've done something similar to an old head unit before, here's what I've found so far. The amp seems to be on the main board board, so there isn't an easy way to tap in there like there was on my old head unit. No easy route from the radio, either. However, the CD player is a self-contained unit with a ribbon cable, so audio must be passing over it. Here's a picture of the bottom of the CD player, with the CD connector circled:

Now, here's a closeup of the connector. I tapped in a couple of leads to a set of powered speakers to locate the wires carrying sound. I've labeled the left and right channels. It appears that some later models may have a connector with more pins, but the 1st and 3rd pins are still correct. Use the metal stereo chassis as a ground.

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6/2/2012 7:04 PM

How you can add an aux input/mp3 player without an adapter - LS1TECH

http://ls1tech.com/forums/stereo-electronics/688297-how-you-can-add-aux-input-mp3-player-wi...

So it's just a simple matter of splicing into those three wires with a special jack. This will allow the CD audio to pass through the jack fine when nothing is plugged in. When you plug in a cable into it from your MP3 player or whatever, it physically disconnects the audio to the CD player, and instead passes along the signal from your cable. You will need to have your CD player playing for this to work, even though it's using audio from your MP3 player. I know some of the aftermarket adapters that plug in between the HU and the cd changer work the same way, the changer plays, but it replaces the audio. A quick search of radio shack.com returns the 274-246 for $2.99 jack However, unlike the old HU I modified, I don't think you can easily put a jack into the face of this head unit, since there is a circuit board running behind plate. You can't just drill a hole and stick it through. See here:

So I think the solution would be to run a 6ft+ wire through the back of the HU with a jack at the end you could run into glove box or into the console. The panel mount jack from radio shack isn't really the best for that, but it would work. I'm sure one of the big online electronics suppliers have something better. So for a couple of bucks and fairly basic electronics knowledge, splicing into three wires, you should be able to an an aux-input to any 98+ camaro HU. What do you guys think? __________________ 1998 Camaro Z28 Red A4, T-Tops, 3.23, Fully Loaded, 24,000GVW B&M Transmission Cooler, Midwest 3600 2.5STR Torque Convertor, SLP Airlid, SLP Loudmouth Exhaust with Dynomax Bullet, BMR Boxed Subframes, BMR LCA Brackets, DMS Springs, Bilstein HD Shocks, JL Audio Stealthbox, Firebird Power Antenna http://www.jason-novak.com
Last edited by Jason Novak; 01-05-2008 at 02:12 AM..

04-06-2007, 10:59 PM

#2

fredmr39
TECH Fanatic Garage is empty, add now

Jason - post your results from CamaroZ28.com here as well! I know many here will appreciate it immensely. __________________ F r e d MR __1997 CAMARO Z28 M6__
THE Z: SLP CAI, iCAGS, Flowmaster 80, TB bypass, 160* stat, p/p/c MAF, Walbro 255, pro5.0, Pacesetter LTs, ORY, Taylor OTVC, full 3", cutout, tuned

Trader Rating: 0 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Champaign/Chicagoland

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6/2/2012 7:04 PM

How you can add an aux input/mp3 player without an adapter - LS1TECH

http://ls1tech.com/forums/stereo-electronics/688297-how-you-can-add-aux-input-mp3-player-wi...

Posts: 1,006

04-14-2007, 07:56 PM

#3

Tom99SS
TECH Apprentice Garage is empty, add now

Well I followed the instructions from the other website you posted on and it worked great. Bought the Radio Shack 274-246 and a cable for my iPod. Total cost was roughly $8. The only thing is you have to have a CD in the radio first then plug in the iPod. Once the iPod is connected you control it as normal and it plays through the radio. Alot better then FM modulators, nice clean sound. I located the 274-246 jack in the panel next to the convertible top switch (did not want to screw up the radio if I messed up by trying to put it there). Not having a HU that was able to control a CD Changer this is a great option. And for the price you cannot go wrong.
Last edited by Tom99SS; 04-14-2007 at 08:04 PM..

Trader Rating: 2 Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: IL Posts: 324

04-14-2007, 08:33 PM

#4

Jason Novak
On The Tree 1998 Chevrolet Camaro Trader Rating: 0 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rice Lake, WI Posts: 173

Glad to hear it's working well for you It's probably best to mount the jack remotely. Not a lot of room in the face plate, and it would be easy to mess up and pretty hard to fix. Saves a lot of time, too. I'll update this thread with all the instructions __________________ 1998 Camaro Z28 Red A4, T-Tops, 3.23, Fully Loaded, 24,000GVW B&M Transmission Cooler, Midwest 3600 2.5STR Torque Convertor, SLP Airlid, SLP Loudmouth Exhaust with Dynomax Bullet, BMR Boxed Subframes, BMR LCA Brackets, DMS Springs, Bilstein HD Shocks, JL Audio Stealthbox, Firebird Power Antenna http://www.jason-novak.com

04-14-2007, 09:05 PM

#5

Jason Novak
On The Tree 1998 Chevrolet Camaro Trader Rating: 0 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rice Lake, WI Posts: 173

Ok, I've completed this project and it works great. Although I put the jack directly into the faceplate, I'd recommend against it since it's hard to find space to install it that can be used once the stereo is installed. The switch is radio shack part #274-246 for $2.99 link I recommend using a piece of networking/cat5 for the wiring. I had planned to have use solid colors as circuit board connections, but switched two when I was soldering so you may want to ignore the colors. Here's a picture of the jack soldered up

Here are the details on the connections:

Pin Pin Pin Pin Pin

1 2 3 4 5

Ground - connect to the stereo chassis Left Channel - wire from CD connector on main circuit board Left Channel - wire coming from CD player module Right Channel - wire coming from CD player module Right Channel - wire from CD connector on main circuit board

Here is the jack wired into the CD connector. Note my wires run into the face, you'll probably drill a hole in the back of the case and run the wire out there. Soldered everything and taped it.

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6/2/2012 7:04 PM

How you can add an aux input/mp3 player without an adapter - LS1TECH

http://ls1tech.com/forums/stereo-electronics/688297-how-you-can-add-aux-input-mp3-player-wi...

__________________ 1998 Camaro Z28 Red A4, T-Tops, 3.23, Fully Loaded, 24,000GVW B&M Transmission Cooler, Midwest 3600 2.5STR Torque Convertor, SLP Airlid, SLP Loudmouth Exhaust with Dynomax Bullet, BMR Boxed Subframes, BMR LCA Brackets, DMS Springs, Bilstein HD Shocks, JL Audio Stealthbox, Firebird Power Antenna http://www.jason-novak.com
Last edited by Jason Novak; 01-05-2008 at 02:12 AM..

04-14-2007, 09:28 PM

#6

pentavolvo
TECH Fanatic Garage is empty, add now Trader Rating: 0 Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,257

great writeup

04-29-2007, 08:00 PM

#7

z28man2005
Teching In Garage is empty, add now Trader Rating: 0 Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 12

This is a really great post. I have a question. Right now, my HU doesn't play CDs if it is real cold and humid. It isn't affected when it's hot and humid. So, I get the Err message during these conditions. In your opinion will this mod not work when I am having that trouble?

04-30-2007, 01:03 AM

#8

Jason Novak
On The Tree 1998 Chevrolet Camaro Trader Rating: 0 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rice Lake, WI Posts: 173

I'd say if it gets the ERR code then it probably won't be able to pass through the audio. __________________ 1998 Camaro Z28 Red A4, T-Tops, 3.23, Fully Loaded, 24,000GVW B&M Transmission Cooler, Midwest 3600 2.5STR Torque Convertor, SLP Airlid, SLP Loudmouth Exhaust with Dynomax Bullet, BMR Boxed Subframes, BMR LCA Brackets, DMS Springs, Bilstein HD Shocks, JL Audio Stealthbox, Firebird Power Antenna http://www.jason-novak.com

04-30-2007, 10:30 AM

#9

pentavolvo
TECH Fanatic Garage is empty, add now Trader Rating: 0 Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,257

i wonder if all you have to do is send a signal down one of those wires to make it think the cd player is working, i just dont know

04-30-2007, 04:30 PM

#10

thingthatgoes
Launching! Garage is empty, add now

Great writeup, I think I'm about to do this. I vote to "sticky". This is great stuff. __________________ http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s...es/tiffcar.jpg I am not the driver in this car. This is not me. FASTLSX.COM WHACKBAG.COM SPREAD THE VIRUS

Trader Rating: 1 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: new york Posts: 265

04-30-2007, 07:03 PM

#11

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6/2/2012 7:04 PM