3.5mm jack port to play thru factory radio/speakers - iphone

[jayindy]

Before I start google'n, I thought I'd start here (don't want to reinvent the wheel), I want a 3.5mm port/jack for my iphone to play mp3 thru the factory radio, and factory speakers...don't want new radio, don't want new stereo system, don't want the $9 play thru FM radio thing-e....just something simple I can pull radio, put in a plug and play harness, put radio back in, and wire tie my 3.5mm jack up near the dash, then use "AUX"? to play from iphone. (I use astro for business and I travel lots). I know they make them for other GM radios, but was wondering if anyone here has purchased such?

Advance thanks, Jay

[Jasen]

Try www.sonicelectronix.com or www.onlinecarstereo.com or www.dealercostcaraudio.com or www.crutchfield.com

[tedanderson]

On another car that I own, I removed the leads from the tape head and wired them into a jack. Then I removed the tape media from a cassette cartridge (leaving the wheels in place) so that I could engage that part of the system and switch back to the radio as needed. I've also seen a similar setup where someone permanently engaged the tape deck being that they use the iPod for everything.

[Black89cs]

On another car that I own, I removed the leads from the tape head and wired them into a jack. Then I removed the tape media from a cassette cartridge (leaving the wheels in place) so that I could engage that part of the system and switch back to the radio as needed. I've also seen a similar setup where someone permanently engaged the tape deck being that they use the iPod for everything.

If your radio has a tape player this would work. Maybe take one of those Cassette adapters for CD players and mod a female jack to it (or shorten the cord), then that'll save cutting the internal wiring.

[evil_motors]

whats so bad about using the thing that plugs into the back of your radio where the antenna plugs in so it will play through an FM station? they are only like $10

[Black89cs]

whats so bad about using the thing that plugs into the back of your radio where the antenna plugs in so it will play through an FM station? they are only like $10

Those don't sound bad, although if you live in a big city or places with lots of radio stations I could see it being somewhat of an issue. Those iPod FM Transmitters usually are pretty crappy. I had one that was really good (Griffin RoadTrip), but I sold it when my last iPod died. There's good and bad I suppose.

[evil_motors]

the transmitters arent as good as the ones that actually plug into your antenna plug. then you usually can pick the station you want on your handheld and tune your radio to it. they seem to amplify the signal a bit better. but yeah the big cities have alot of stations so it is harder to find one that will not overtake the signal.

[jayindy]

jasen, tedanderson, black89cs, evil_motors....I want to thank you ALL for reading, posting, and commenting to my question(s)....thanks again, I appreciate each post.

Compliments of corvetteforum.com is a link below with pics showing the installation of an ipod adapter into Mark's 2004 Corvette . I need the same harness for my Astro (I think). I'd be happy with a 3.5mm jack instead of the std. iphone's bottom port that doubles as a charging port, and com port (other end is USB, USB to 12volt, or USB to PC, or USB to AC adapter - methods of charge & charge/com).

This is what I'm looking at doing and when I get it done AND am pleased with its operation/function, I'll post back. I'll be confirming with the seller of the "Peripheral" harness(es) that it also works with our Astro/Safari Stereo units (visually it appears Astro/Safari/Vette Stereos are the same for that 2000-2004 time period).

Thanks again Gents & Merry CHRISTmas and Happy New Year!

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-gene ... anger.html

Another link to same "C5 Corvette IPod Install:"
http://mysite.verizon.net/res0aae8/webpage.html

[Black89cs]

Wow, that's a pretty good article. If I had a compatible radio in my van I'd definitely look into something like that.

[Bread Van]

Please let me know how this pans out. I am looking to do exactly the same thing. I just want to wire a 3.5 stereo jack into the factory "aux", it's available...may as well use it.
I have this setup on a blaupunkt unit in my other car, it blows the pants off of hassling with a FM transmitter.

[Samio187]

id say buy this http://www.crutchfield.com/p_142FMMOD02 ... ml?tp=1287 but you could get a new stereo for that much

[Corsemoto]

I checked Grom Audio where I just got an iPod & input jack adpater for my gf's Mazda3 factory head unit and they don't have any Chevy/GMC listing. I did come across this:

http://www.pie.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29&Itemid=37

http://www.installer.com/item/display_item.php?it=GM9-AUX

I've got a Blaupunkt Casablanca head unit from '03 that I've been taking with me from van to van and I upgraded to the iPod adapter cable last year (had to disconnect the cd changer) and thought that was really great. But the best money I've spent so far was last week I bought ($10) the auxiliary cable for the Blaupunkt with the 3.5mm input jack so I could hook up my phone and play Pandora radio - I haven't touched the iPod since!

[Bread Van]

DiModa,

Where did you get the blaupunkt adapter from. I have that exact setup in my VW and I really like it. A $9.99 3.5mm cable to the aux in on the back of the blaupunkt...cable runs to my center counsel...it's great!

I also have an extra Blaupunkt HU, and I'm thinking I may as well just install that to the Astro until I get around to a real system. But, before I install the Blaupunkt I want to pick up another Auxillary cable. I forgot where I ordered it from the first time.

[Corsemoto]

DiModa,

Where did you get the blaupunkt adapter from. I have that exact setup in my VW and I really like it. A $9.99 3.5mm cable to the aux in on the back of the blaupunkt...cable runs to my center counsel...it's great!

I also have an extra Blaupunkt HU, and I'm thinking I may as well just install that to the Astro until I get around to a real system. But, before I install the Blaupunkt I want to pick up another Auxillary cable. I forgot where I ordered it from the first time.

They are hard to find now, but eBay was my friend after cross-referencing some part #'s from Blaupunkt & Crutchfield...

I lied, I paid $7.99 for mine with free shipping, they are now $4.99 with free shipping, I just ordered a spare because I'm pretty sure they are discontinued from Blaupunkt!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Blaupunkt-AUX2-Car-Stereo-RCA-Auxiliary-AUX-2-Adaptor_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem45f1bf0c4cQQitemZ300408573004QQptZCarQ5fAudioQ5fVideo

Here is the 3.5mm aux input to RCA adapter to go with it for $2.09 & free shipping:

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-5mm-to-RCA-Audio-Adapter-Cable-Cord-for-iPod-Zune-MP3_W0QQitemZ390149218976QQcmdZViewItemQQptZOther_MP3_Player_Accessories?hash=item5ad6b4a2a0

I'm really itching to install some Polk Audio MM6501 component speakers front/rear and a nice 4-channel amp soon to go with the killer music selection now available!

[LEVE]

IF, again that is IF you have a schematic of the OEM Radio you can insert a 3.5mm jack into the circuitry quite simply. If you do it right, simply by inserting the cable into the jack would interrupt the audio from the radio and inject the audio from the auxiliary device. My suggestion would be into the audio pre-amplifier circuit.



The hardest part of this is getting the radio apart and finding the correct schematic (Sams Photofacts?) for the Delco radio. Truthfully, by the time you do this... and count the cost of the parts and the schematic you can get a less-expensive aftermarket radio with a 3.5 mm jack. As example, I installed a radio from WalMart last week in my '93 Astro (along with 4 new/used speakers) for the princely sum of $50. The radio sounds great, has AM, FM, a CD, aux RCA inputs, a 5vdc USB charger and the 3.5mm aux input jack.

I'm pretty good at electronics.. and could do the above modification, likely without the cost of the schematic, but why re-invent the wheel? That little WalMart radio is just fine for my needs. I really like having the ability to inject the audio from my Ipod or Sirius radio into the radio. IMHO, it's a cheap-workable alternative.

[Bread Van]

Agreed, that's why I've just decided to install another unit. Especially because my Delco has a bunch of burnt out lights and replacing bulbs wasn't as straightforward as I had hoped for.

Kudos for making the effort to fabricate though...I always like to see people really digging in.

[Bread Van]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BLAUPUNKT-7-607-540-500-MP3-8-PIN-AUX-JACK_W0QQitemZ200457315100QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCar_Audio_Video?hash=item2eac2fe31c

this is what I've used with my other unit in the VW...eliminates the RCA conversion piece, which may be good or bad depending on your specific needs.


http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ao8agSJo0Bj/popups/accessory.asp?i=023IPODCBL
I also found this unit at Crutchfield which is nice if you want to charge the ipod/iphone...limits your inputs to apple products, but is great if you want to stream audio over 3G. But not good for using van speakers when watching a DVD on the laptop. I've also heard that the charging introduces sound interference. Hmmm...decisions, Or I could just get both since the blaupunkt allows 2 aux inputs.

[Corsemoto]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BLAUPUNKT-7-607-540-500-MP3-8-PIN-AUX-JACK_W0QQitemZ200457315100QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCar_Audio_Video?hash=item2eac2fe31c

this is what I've used with my other unit in the VW...eliminates the RCA conversion piece, which may be good or bad depending on your specific needs.


http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ao8agSJo0Bj/popups/accessory.asp?i=023IPODCBL
I also found this unit at Crutchfield which is nice if you want to charge the ipod/iphone...limits your inputs to apple products, but is great if you want to stream audio over 3G. But not good for using van speakers when watching a DVD on the laptop. I've also heard that the charging introduces sound interference. Hmmm...decisions, Or I could just get both since the blaupunkt allows 2 aux inputs.

Yeah, I already had the ipod/iphone cable connected to the Aux1 port on my head unit, that's why I had to go with the Aux2 RCA adapter for the input jack - couldn't find a straight 3.5 input jack for the Aux2 port. I like having both options for sure, but 90% is listening to Pandora now though when I don't get good reception on road trips, it's back to the ipod. Yes, there is noise interference on the ipod/iphone cable setup, not so bad while music is playing, but in between songs it's really noticeable and annoying.

[ELDORADOV8]

Ok this solution is for factory delco stereos on gm cars i guess 1995-2005, No need messing around having a cd playing. Yeap this has been done yet and took it from impalasss forum with the same radio as our astros. It's DIY and pretty simple to do. Heres the step by step guide with pics link:

http://www.impalassforum.com/vBulletin/ ... p?t=240045

Have fun with your iPhone/ipod/mp3 and everything that can be plugged into your old factory delco

[chevymaher]

I been using this 13 dollar gadget now.Really sounds good broadcast on FM stereo.I got 8 gig card in it.i have the I-pod jack in mine.I got this because it was cheap just to see.well my music just part of the van now I never even bring the I-pod anymore I got same music on this gizmo.I have had it a month no issues except card vibrates loose about every week.Slamming the glovebox.