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I convinced myself that this box could not work like a Dension unit to replace the frunk CD changer and keep the original HU/amp in place as I had once hoped. So ... I bought a Transit Blu HF and couldn't be happier. $83 dollar solution (with the antenna adapters on Amazon) and a day under and behind the dash.
FM Modulators have certainly changed since I bought my first one a decade ago. The sound appears as good as the CD player IMO (reduced volume level, but ...) and the integration/operation is well thought out. You even get song title information through the HU/cluster via RDS. HF calling is simple and crystal clear. I had the added bonus of fixing the reception on my HU (the reason I started this endeavor in the first place), as I discovered during the install that the PO had left the antenna connection to the HU dangling behind the dash (probably removed their own Tranzit Blu before selling the car and forgot to plug it in!)
If you want to keep the original HU, this solution is a no-brainer IMO.
Thanks to all who replied to my earlier questions.
Steve
I did a similar approach using the following:
Scosche FM-MOD02 Universal Audio Input FM Modulator $36.94
Kinivo BTC450 Bluetooth Hands-Free Car Kit $34.99
Metra 40EU30 Antenna Adapters $$14.90
Mpow Ground Loop Noise Isolator $9.99 (eliminates any buzz or humming sounds)
Works great and good alternative for those with the MOST system.
Scosche FM-MOD02 Universal Audio Input FM Modulator $36.94
Kinivo BTC450 Bluetooth Hands-Free Car Kit $34.99
Metra 40EU30 Antenna Adapters $$14.90
Mpow Ground Loop Noise Isolator $9.99 (eliminates any buzz or humming sounds)
Works great and good alternative for those with the MOST system.
Don't know how the Scosche unit works, but what I like about the iSimple unit is that it installs in-line with the factory antenna amp and disconnects it when Bluetooth is enabled. Dension makes a similar unit.
Don't know how the Scosche unit works, but what I like about the iSimple unit is that it installs in-line with the factory antenna amp and disconnects it when Bluetooth is enabled. Dension makes a similar unit.
Steve
The Scosche is also an inline with factory antenna but has a toggle switch that switches off the FM antenna signal so as to pass through the new source signal to radio (this eliminates any FM interference). It is set up to use a mini plug from source (phone. I pad, ect) only so this is why I use in conjunction with the Bluetooth kit so that I have both Bluetooth and the mini plug.
The Scosche is also an inline with factory antenna but has a toggle switch that switches off the FM antenna signal so as to pass through the new source signal to radio (this eliminates any FM interference). It is set up to use a mini plug from source (phone. I pad, ect) only so this is why I use in conjunction with the Bluetooth kit so that I have both Bluetooth and the mini plug.
Got it.
I had a mini-plug I routed to the glove box of my A4 with a Parrot BT kit, but found I always connected via BT and never used the plug, so not having one with the Tranzit box wasn't a problem for me.
If your talking about the ACC wire, it goes to the orange wire on the ignition switch, be sure to add a fuse holder with a 5 amp fuse to it close to the ignition switch, this will allow the head unit to stay on till key is removed. If your talking about the Alpine head unit power wire (yellow) there is a live 12 volt wire at the radio connection, I didn't pay attention to that because I used CAI harness plug and play harness they make, bought the kit for 45 dollars which included the antenna adapter also. plus no cutting into the P-car harness. https://cai-store.com/collections/al...ant=3737574725
I hooked the metra harness up without connecting the powered speaker lines from the head unit to the metra harness going to the car. From what others have said the MOST lines are carrying the singnal to the amp.
However I realize some of you are using the CAI harness, and assume from the pictures I have seen online that they have connected the powered lines from the head unit to the metra harness to the car.
Any reason I should connect the powered head unit lines in addition to the MOST converter?
I'll be free later tonight to try both ways, just wondering if anyone else has already ventured down this?
'03 C4S - I took the plunge and ordered one of the digital to analog MOST translator boxes from China. I do not have the Bose system and absolutely could not stand the output of the CDR23. I figured the worst that could happen is that it would not work and I'd have to build everything from scratch, anyway. Surprise! After a few weeks the box arrived. I got in touch with Rod at CAI to discuss my options. I was looking for multiple rear USB ports and chose the single Din Kenwood X701, though the Alpine was a close second. After speaking with Rod, he suggested that I send him the mystery box and he'd configure a custom wiring harness. Holy smokes, I jumped at the chance. After a week or two, everything arrived and was ready for installation. I also purchased one of the $20 MEGA interior removal tool sets from amazon. The initial installation had a few stumbles along the way. All of the issues that I had were my own dumb fault, as I mis-wired one of the lines out of the box. The system worked fine for about an hour, then nothing. Of course I had to de-install the new stuff and reinstall the original HU to test what blew. The original stuff worked fine. Then spent the night doing more research and found the solution. There's an unused phone connector in the bottom of the center column just under the cubby box (4 wires with female plug). The female plug has a green/blk (switched) wire that is the perfect solution for the spare wire (of the three) coming out of the Chinese Most box. The third installation took about an hour and WOW it's impressive and worth the small expense. Keep in mind, that I'm using the original speakers so nothing state of the art here. But it does CRANK and sounds about 50% better than the original system. Sound quality is below average by any modern standard, but it's passable and for less than $400 I get modern connectivity and pretty good sound. Really, just what I was looking for. Thanks to Rod from CAI, this was as close to a simple plug and go as I could hope to find.
MrZoop, thanks for the pictures and great explanation. That helps me when I finally get started...just thinking up of what type of receiver for the double DIN route.
I ran a ACC 12v cable from my fuse box to the console then connected the B+ and Ground to the headunit harness. (did try to ground on a 10mm bolt too)
Problem is now if I touch the RCA connector with my finger I can hear noise from the speaker and just trying to plug my phone in make a loud bang in the speaker.
Feel like the signal sent from the device is way to strong. So really concern its going to blow up something...
If it works out I'll let everyone know. No rush as the Alpine wireless CarPlay receiver is still delayed due to Apple not allowing Alpine to release it, so I'm in the pre-order queue.
But my installer was unable to get it to work, despite all the proper wiring/grounding of the box, the music kept cutting in and out. We eventually went with the Alpine Amp solution, which was wiring all existing speakers to a new AMP.
I am not sure if it was just installed incorrectly, but i have a box for sale, and am willing to do the following in good faith.
Terms:
1. Whoever wants the box will pay for shipping.
2. If the box doesn't work for them, then maybe send it to CAI? and see if they can fix it? (I saw a post above here about someone who sent it to Rob at CAI for some custom wiring) If not, throw it away.
3. Should the box work, paypal me $50. (Honor System).
I paid $144.48 for this box with express shipping.
Send me an IM for whomever is interested. Pics of box to follow.
But my installer was unable to get it to work, despite all the proper wiring/grounding of the box, the music kept cutting in and out. We eventually went with the Alpine Amp solution, which was wiring all existing speakers to a new AMP.
I am not sure if it was just installed incorrectly, but i have a box for sale, and am willing to do the following in good faith.
Terms:
1. Whoever wants the box will pay for shipping.
2. If the box doesn't work for them, then maybe send it to CAI? and see if they can fix it? (I saw a post above here about someone who sent it to Rob at CAI for some custom wiring) If not, throw it away.
3. Should the box work, paypal me $50. (Honor System).
I paid $144.48 for this box with express shipping.
Send me an IM for whomever is interested. Pics of box to follow.
You / he was most likely "clipping" the factory amp by having the gain set to high on whatever output you were using. Was it hooked to a head unit or was it hooked to an iphone etc??? IF the output was not set to balanced on the iphone it could cause issues a some songs are encoded at different volume levels.
I did experience this with the original box which I started the thread with when the car was hooked directly to an ipad / iphone and the balanced output was not selected. If however it was setup correctly you could exceeded cleanly the factory sound level.
03-20-2017, 02:05 PM
