converting CD input to AUX input the simple hacky way

Bangster

Dedicated LVC Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2005
Messages
537
Reaction score
44
Location
Tucson
I don't really have the time or the want to replace the factory/dealer setup in my 97. It is a cassette deck with a dealer installed 6 disc changer on the passenger side.

I have semi-reliably been using a cassette adapter plugged into a Bluetooth receiver, using my phone for streaming Pandora/Slacker or MP3s or Audiobooks.

Even after dialing in a cassette adapter (I grab any I find at the you-pull-it place) to work 95% of the time, it still was an annoyance. I found that I could reverse the insides, play it as side 2, and it rarely would eject or switch sides.

I planned on first trying to tap into the CD changer inputs, which means leaving the changer in the trunk (I burned a 74 minute silent track to a CD). I grabbed the connector to a radio that has the audio ins/outs. Releasing the back end of the plug, and using a dental pick to release the female pin, I took four of them out.
15117004429_16764ed2a1_b.jpg
20140918_161204
15303410272_d403c541ea_b.jpg
20140918_161308
15303775855_79baa2deda_b.jpg
20140918_161219
15300631751_55dd5b3bc9_b.jpg
20140918_161225

The car physically has a non CD changer connector, then TWO CD changer cables (I assume one is factory drivers side 10 disk, and the other is dealer passenger side 6 disc) that connect at a jumper harness, that goes to the radio.

15297368371_4d51a86b76_b.jpg
20140920_114030
15297372241_81e2290004_b.jpg
20140920_114225
15113746799_40b4f87876_b.jpg
20140920_114232
15113925648_59b161b0a9_b.jpg
20140920_114638
15113810040_019ce193a9_b.jpg
20140920_114648

I flipped open the back of the connector, and again used a dental pick to make it possible to pull out the 4 audio ins from the CD changer. I soldered the wires pulled from a junk harness temporarily to a set of female RCA jacks (this became permanent after it worked, as there is room for them). I then isolated the audio out from the CD changer wire(s).
15300165032_0f4456c2e5_b.jpg
20140920_122450
15297411611_facf0e5835_b.jpg
20140920_122455
15113783439_7c0efae224_b.jpg
20140920_122511

I then added a 12v->5v 3a USB power adapter and a 12v power point to the switched (and delay exit) power for the Bluetooth receiver and the DVR.
15116723260_4afc96cc31_b.jpg
20140920_151058
15300289611_7b830dfa43_b.jpg
20140920_151108
15280384166_c3d419360c_b.jpg
20140920_151121

I had already "mocked it up" and verified that it worked. I am not exactly sure what happens at the end of the one 74 minute song on the CD, but using one with 30 second "songs" it didn't affect the sound output.

Also my factory head unit was pretty messed up (as was much of my center console and dash). The passenger side spring retainer was bent and broken, I had to remove the message center and smash it to get the radio out. Also 75% of the time the passenger side output was half of what the drivers side was. I dremeled off a new spring retainer from another Ford radio I had from my 2000 Grand Marquis, cleaned up the wiring out to the amp, and the volume switch (I swapped it out with another, but it still won't turn off).

So now no more cassette adapter with wire hanging out of the dash. No more plugging and unplugging of the Bluetooth receiver. No more hitting a bump and the adapter ejecting.

It is pretty hacky, and the hours I spent doing it probably would have been better spend on installing an aftermarket head unit and bypassing the amp, but this is what I enjoy doing, and haven't been able to do anything to a car to make it more what I want in a while.

First time the radio has fit correctly in the dash since I have owned it
15303076062_1e4f1b8e0e_b.jpg
20140920_171927

I also had a broken ashtray lid. I got another, but it was ivory, so I decided to use the same carbon fiber sheet on it and the rest. I plan on doing the wood on the doors, I already have done the radio surround but need to fix a few things with it before installing it. I also added another non switched USB power adapter with two ports to the extension off the cigar lighter used for the optional phone.
15303069212_b1f4821218_b.jpg
20140920_151649
15116881517_b870db6134_b.jpg
20140920_151701
15300299531_d6afe4c34b_b.jpg
20140920_172435
15300306731_c5213bed64_b.jpg
20140920_183912
15303454515_0c1505095a_b.jpg
20140920_183923

If I don't like the carbon fiber, this at least lets me fix the broken Graphite ashtray drawer and filler piece. I am not sure I like it, or how it fits in with the carbon fiber covered radio surround, but it was 5 minutes work on 2 dollars worth of parts, and only about 15 minutes to remove the console and the ashtray/cup holder section.
15299641762_3c9783c4ff_b.jpg
20140920_112336
15113249019_1f24f565ee_b.jpg
20140920_112341
15276976926_b79c97ecf2_b.jpg
20140920_112348
15299663392_06f3b0473e_b.jpg
20140920_113724
15113336990_2ab168e486_b.jpg
20140920_113740
15113761739_e23b3e2b89_b.jpg
20140920_120224
15303452285_0f0130bda2_b.jpg
20140920_183855
15116863778_43f312d896_b.jpg
20140920_184014


I had expected a nasty looking collection of soda and stuff, but pretty clean:
15113899448_dcc5d75b3b_b.jpg
20140920_114012
15300504785_2fd0be3907_b.jpg
20140920_114024

The car camera/dash cam/DVR that I wired in to turn on with the key, and turn off with the delayed exit
15116849118_b1372c4253_b.jpg
20140920_171847
15300296201_f73420b62a_b.jpg
20140920_171901
15303074812_5e65408dc6_b.jpg
20140920_171922

Yes, I used T-taps, and butt connectors for some of the connections, and electrical tape instead of heat shrink tubing, but it is all solid, and if/when I get some actual time to work on it, I will improve on it. I have a couple more types of USB power points I want to add. In addition to the Bluetooth receiver, I always have at least 2 things to charge, sometimes use a GPS, and my family all have things to charge, so there is no such thing as too many USB chargers.

I would love to get rid of the CD changer. I thought I knew what type of signal this CD changer put out, and could emulate it with a board, but I found out the information I had was for newer changers. I could also tap into the cassette input and put in a dummy cassette, but it is a noisy mechanism.
 
Instead of the Bluetooth receiver, I plan on somehow incorporating one of these things, so I can use a thumb drive, SD card, aux in, or Bluetooth with the OEM radio. I have it mocked up to be on the ashtray lid, the panel the rear defroster is on, or embedded into the head unit where the cassette goes. Not sure how I want to proceed, and this is for another day, I have so many more important things to do on cars/house/etc but it felt good getting this out of the way.

15280527741_8085b9f8c9_b.jpg

15096887859_c6dfc08857_b.jpg


I originally planned to replace the factory head unit with these, but they have some quirks that I am not happy with, and as my only source of music/sound they would grow old quickly.
 
I looked at some of those solutions and would love to have an iPod classic 160 gig to control with it, but at that point I will just get an aftermarket head unit that has all that, and bypass the amp.
 
hahaha with an MSRP $600 less than I paid for the car, and 1395 more than I spent on current setup, I will pass.
 
I have tried out a few new Bluetooth solutions. From the DIY board that needed buttons (I created a button pack that filled in the tape deck opening)
917078866_692.jpg
but was too fussy (I had to program an attiny85 to send serial commands to it as I couldn't save a configuration), to a horribly named "HimBox"

16788588792_e4b124892c_b.jpg


Temporarily in place trying to find a good place for the mic, button usage, etc.
16763855236_d1c3293cf9_b.jpg


I think the "himbox" is going in another car, and I will try to refine my DIY board, or find a better one. I was okay with streaming music only (and GPS prompts) but now I think I need hands free.
 

Members online

No members online now.
Back
Top