Stereo "Aux"

OldGuyPete · December 27, 2006

On my stereo (AM/FM/CD (no tape)) I have a button that says AUX (and something else I can't remember)...

Anyway with that button is there a way that I can hookup my iPod?

Or... how do folks use their iPod with this truck? I bought a FM Transmitter... but heard they don't work so good...

What's the scoop?

Thanks,

Pete

SoCalChris · December 27, 2006

There are a few ipod adapters sold for these trucks. There's a pretty long thread on here discussing one of the models.

I just bought an ipod adapter for mine (USA Spec adapter, $139 from Crutchfield). It's pretty nice, but if you want the song information to display on the radio, you have to use playlists. That isn't a big deal for me, I've got my ipod set up to use a handful of playlists all the time so it worked good for the way I use my ipod.

Expect to spend about $100-$150 for an adapter to hook the ipod directly to your stereo.

The FM transmitters work ok if you live in an area that has some free airspace. My FM transmitter works decent up here in Montana, but was worthless when I lived in Southern California. If you get an FM transmitter, get one that plugs into the cigarette lighter, and doesn't use batteries. WalMart sells a decent one for about $25.

OldGuyPete · December 27, 2006

Thanks for the info... I'm learning about them now...

Could you take a look at this thread:

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=60191

and let me know if there is anything there you could help with? I'm not able to get the full story...

I may just end up getting the Crutchfield deal like you have. I was told it won't display the names/title, etc. like it is advertised to do, but now you're saying it *will* so now I'm really confused!

Thanks for any help,

Pete

SoCalChris · December 27, 2006

From what I understand, as long as you have a radio that is XM ready, and can display text, the newer USA Spec adapter does display the artist name, and the track name. For them to display though, you can't use the "direct mode", you have to use the "playlist mode". You also have to use the XM connection method, and not the CD changer method. That probably sounds a lot more complicated than it really is.

As far as the other thread, I haven't used the Metra product, so I couldn't answer any questions on it. I would call Crutchfield and talk to them. They can tell you exactly what will work, and will take it back without any charges if it doesn't. Also, if you buy one from them, you get free shipping right now, and if you use the coupon code "3A706", you'll get $20 off, bringing the cost of the USA Spec adapter to $119, shipped.

OldGuyPete · December 27, 2006

Ok. I'm on the phone with Crutchfield as I type. This guy really doesn't know either. He says that as long as I have a "Bank" button on my radio, then it will work. He is checking if it will display play info...

What radio fo you have in your truck, Chris, IIRC we have the same truck...

OldGuyPete · December 27, 2006

Good Golly!

Ok. I have the *FINAL* word on this BS.

The folks at Axxess have zero clue. I got 3 different answers to the same info.

Crustchfield was worse. They REALLY had no clue. I was told that with the AM/FM/CD unit the USA Spec would not display song info.

In the end. It is ALL mis-information.

The USA Spec WILL display info and it WILL work. I got a hold of guy at USA Spec in CA and turns out you can use the plain AM/FM/CD unit in one of two ways. You can use the CD Changer way and the XM way.

If you use the XM way, you get to the iPod but pushing the "Band" button. Once the unit is connected you'll see a new option for for the iPod (Does it say XM or iPod -- that I don't know) -- anyway. That is the one you want to use if you want to get song/title, etc. info on the radio display. I was told to se Dip Switch #3 to "Off" for XM mode. This is the way I'll go.

The other way to use it is via the CD/AUX button. The first time you press it you'll get the CD the second time you press it you'll get the iPod. The jury is still out on if you can get title/track info with this method.

I'm trying to get the real story on the Axxess, but they are a nightmare in the tech area. JP has been the only one that seems to have a clue and I have them on the phone right now...

SoCalChris · December 27, 2006

I've got the AM/FM/6 CD head unit. It's in a 2006 work truck, without XM. To get to the ipod, I just click the band button. When I get to XM1, I stop pressing the band button, and within about half a second the XM1 display changes to "ipod".

As long as your radio has a text display, it should be able to display the song name & artist, if you use the XM mode. The CD changer mode will not display any information, except the playlist number (Shows up as disc number), and the song number within the playlist (Shows up as the track #). They only recommend this method if your radio doesn't support XM.

I just installed it last night (Christmas gift to myself), so I haven't had a lot of time to play with it. Unfortunately, this morning, my ipod had a run in with a rather powerful magnet and died, so I'm not sure when I'll get a chance to play with it some more. I'll probably steal my wifes ipod

OldGuyPete · December 27, 2006

Thanks Chris. I had ordered the Axxess, but after reading your replies I canceled that order and ordered the USA Spec -- I think it *should* work.

I have GM Part Number #15850275 for the radio. I'm being told that if it has the "Band Button" it will work. I figure Crutchfield was only $11.00 more expensive than the cheapest place for the Axxess, and it works for you. So, heck, it'll be worth it.

Thanks again.

Pete

OldGuyPete · December 30, 2006

Just got done installing it. All I can say is HOW COOL! Ok. Here's my info.

1) The unit instruction need to be read a couple times. Actually Chris gave a clearer explanation. XM mode and playlist combo is the way to go!!!! If you look hard enough it does tell you so in the instructions, but it doesn't pop right out at ya!

2) The unit looks small... until you try and find a place to put it! I ended up putting it to the left of the glovebox... you drop the glovebox all the way down and then put the unit down - sort of behind the cigarette lighter. It'll probably rattle there, so I'll be wrapping it in foam or something to shut it up... we'll see.

3) The major bitch part - there's a lot of crap you have get in behind the factory radio (harnesses, etc.) it isn't easy and sometimes it won't go in at all, other times it almost goes in. Natiurally you have to get it right. It's a challenge, but it can be done. Took me a bunch of tries, but in the end, it does work.

4) The unit sounds amazing. And you still have the factory look. Which is what I was after.

5) I *think* that you might want to shut off the backlight on the ipod. Each time I changed track the light came on... so I figure the best thing to do is shut it off, and turn it on when you grab the iPod for the gym or something.

6) The title/artist. YES YES YES, it does work. The peeve I think most people have is that you have to push the "Info" button (tuner button) oin the radio to get the info. It isn't a big deal, but something to keep in mind. I think it would be cooler, if when you changed song it would comeup automatically -- still... very cool, none-the-less

7) I paid $119 delivered, which wasn't too bad. I found the axxess one for $110 delivered, but I wasn't happy when I had to deal with the company. Plus buying it from Crutchfield I know I'm covered.

That's about it. I thought about just changing the whole head-unit for not much more money, but in the end I really like keeping the factory look.

On a scale of 1-100 I would give it a solid 90. (Mostly because of the artist/title thing.)

Thanks for the help and for having such a great forum,

Pete

SoCalChris · December 30, 2006

Just got done installing it. All I can say is HOW COOL! Ok. Here's my info.
2) The unit looks small... until you try and find a place to put it! I ended up putting it to the left of the glovebox... you drop the glovebox all the way down and then put the unit down - sort of behind the cigarette lighter. It'll probably rattle there, so I'll be wrapping it in foam or something to shut it up... we'll see.

I used velcro with an adhesive back to attach the unit to a metal brace in about the area that you're talking about. That way, it won't rattle, and I can easily remove it if I want to change any of the dip switches.

3) The major bitch part - there's a lot of crap you have get in behind the factory radio (harnesses, etc.) it isn't easy and sometimes it won't go in at all, other times it almost goes in. Natiurally you have to get it right. It's a challenge, but it can be done. Took me a bunch of tries, but in the end, it does work.

I think getting it all back in the dash was by far the hardest part. I just wrapped all of my cables together with nylon ties, and routed them to the left of the brace behind the stereo. It still took a while to get it in though. I hope I don't ever have to take it back out though.

6) The title/artist. YES YES YES, it does work. The peeve I think most people have is that you have to push the "Info" button (tuner button) oin the radio to get the info. It isn't a big deal, but something to keep in mind. I think it would be cooler, if when you changed song it would comeup automatically -- still... very cool, none-the-less

Hit the info button until the song title comes up, and then press and hold the info button for a few seconds. It will program it to stay on the song title by doing that, instead of showing the track number.

That's about it. I thought about just changing the whole head-unit for not much more money, but in the end I really like keeping the factory look.

I agree about the factory look. I think most aftermarket decks look like crap installed in a newer vehicle. They look very cheap in my opinion. I'm happy with my new radio (6CD in dash changer, bought from ebay for $110, + $40 programming). It replaced the plain AM/FM radio that the truck came with.

I just ordered all new speakers to go in my truck, they should get here next week. Once again, I was able to get free shipping, and use the $20 off coupon on the speakers, so I got another good deal there. Crutchfield is a little more expensive than you can get at other places, but the instructions and free accessories that they include more than make up for the price difference.

jjrho · December 30, 2006

i just used my 1/8" 12" patch cord into Aux. and look at the iPod display for song info.

$2.99 @ radio shack...

jR

OldGuyPete · January 2, 2007

Thanks for the tip on holding the info button Chris!!! I'll try it when I go in the truck later.

I think we may have a draw-back to the thing...

How do you turn your unit off? It seems that it stays on after I turn the truck off... I read someplace that after an hour it should turn off on it's own. Well, not in my case. I turned the truck off with the radio on, came out the next day and the ipod is still on...

What did I miss?

Pete

OldGuyPete · January 2, 2007

i just used my 1/8" 12" patch cord into Aux. and look at the iPod display for song info.
$2.99 @ radio shack...

jR

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's super. You show me where to plug my 1/8" 12" patch cord into my radio and I'll buy you a beer.

mdub · January 3, 2007

For those that are installing AUX audio adapters to factory GM radios, do you need to remove the stereo to reach the rear (12-pin?) connector?

Here is another supplier of Ipod and MP3 adapters for a factory GM radio:

Audio adapters

As I understand, if you use the AAI-GM12 unit, you only need the BAND button, or AUX button on the factory GM radio (must by 2003 or up). Once the adapter is energized, the factory radio will allow selection of the auxiliary device.

I recently noted several reasonably priced PAC adapters on Ebay, if you don't mind sacrificing support/service. I purchased one and will soon know how well it works out.