AUX input for car CD changer

[ranjeevmishra]

Need to figure out some way to hook on my mp3 player to my Corolla CD changer. FM transmitters work but offer poor sound qulity. Other solutions cost as much as or even more than the cost of a new Stereo system.

Can some show me how to hook up an AUX unit? I must do it on my own else the costs are $100 extra!!

[ECA]

find your AUX lines, should be 2, one for left, and one right..
Get an adaptor, for Stereo 1/8 plug to RCA(the aux connection)(should be female, so you WANT male).
Plug it in, select AUX on the stereo, and hit PLAY on the Mp3 player..

[ranjeevmishra]

What I meant is that Toyota corolla factory fitted 6 changer doesn't have AUX inputs. There are devices which can be installed to add these. Does anyone on the forum have any experience here? Is there a DIY kit available; one with step-by-step instructions?

And I'll need tons of help since on my own, I can't even figure to take the CD changer out!!

[ECA]

WELL, give us the make and model of radio... Or I may go to the toyota site and get the WRONG one.. You havent even given me a year on the car to look up, and I cant tell from here if its original equipment or after market unit.

Odds are, that you wont be able to do anything with what you have, and will need to add a preamp and mixer switch, to get what you want.

[ranjeevmishra]

I am positive there are stuff available out there for this system. Many of these promise full control of iPod from the Radio panel. My intention however is just to hook a mp3 player through the headphone socket and not to pay a total of $200 doing this.

Thanks!

[ECA]

you still havent answered any of my questions.
The headphone jack wont work, its for HEADPHONES, unless you are talking about an Audio input on the front, a 1/8" jack.. Thats EASY..1/8" jack to 1/8 jack to the Mp3 player and away you go...

I NEED the info..WHICH RADIO IS IT.

[ranjeevmishra]

This is a factory installed equipment and I see no branding marks to establish the OEM manufacturer of the CD changer :(

[ECA]

And I cant get anyplace on there site to find out MORE about the radio..

Only option I see, is setting a switch box and amp with the speakers.

[ranjeevmishra]

The local accessories dealer just needed 2 mins to look through some files and confirm that if I am OK to spend $205.99 for the device and another $90 for labour, he could do 2 AUX inputs for the OEM CD changer!

I am sure that there have to be a bunch of things that could offer the solution. It's just that the net seems to be devoid of such info.

I could try my contacts in India but posting anything form there would cost a fortune anyway.

Thanks for your efforts :)

[ranjeevmishra]

Hey Buddy.. check this link out:

http://www.partydown.com/items/item456.htm

I am almost certain that there have been no modifications to corolla after 2004. Why do these guys, and some others too, then stop at 2004? Any clues??

[ranjeevmishra]

Just posing the link below since Corolla is a popular car and many could be looking for a solution for hooking on AUX devices on to the stereo (better than FM modulation):

http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=705

But how well does this one work. Read tons of praises for this technique. Does someone have first-hand experience in intallation.. cos frankly I do not even know how to pull my OEM CD changer out!

[ranjeevmishra]

And look at this wiring diagram to see how simple installation of dual AUX input adapter is supposed to be:

http://store.yahoo.com/logjam/toy03auxdia.html

But the bottom line for me is.. how do you get the damn stereo out??

[ECA]

The first one is for the CD controller, not the CD internally loaded.

The last diagram, shows there IS a port back there that can be used.
It comes down to the idea,
HOW comfortable are you takeing your car apart.
Find a location to SCREW this together.
And TIME.

You WILL have to pull it apart, to SEE the back section to KNOW whats there, to get the correct Mounts.
Then purchase the correct one, and find a place to Mount it, under the dash. Then to run wires to it..
If you have never done this type of thing, I would say, about 2days work.
IF you have done this before, then I would say, about 1/2 days work.

[ranjeevmishra]

I tried to figure how to remove the stereo, removed the knobs etc. but couldn't locate any hidden screws ...

Tried the net and found great details on stereo removal but for 2002 Corolla stereo :(

[ECA]

THATS what you are paying for.. If you wish to pay..

[ranjeevmishra]

Thanks... even though nothing helped. I have now settled for a Sandisk 4GB flash player with a $15 transmitter which works fine.
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My punch - "Screw yourself" if that's what you call experimenting. Mind you - you'll rarely be defenceless enough to let others do that to you anyway!!
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[ranjeevmishra]

Finally managed to hook on my SanDisk4GB MP3 to my car. This is how I did it:

Step 1: Stereo Removal:
To remove the factory stereo:
1. Unscrew the handle on the transmission shift lever.
2. Lift up and remove the plastic plate covering the shift lever.
3. Pull the fan speed select knob out of the dash and remove the black plastic phillips screw.
4. Pull that plastic plate off, (It does take some effort.) Now you should see the 10mm bolts(3) that hold the radio trim and radio on
you'll need a 6" or 9" extension for your socket wrench to get them out.
5. Behind the radio are two standard Toyota wiring harness (White) plugs, press on the center tab to get them out.
6. Toyota radios are secured to mounting plates on the sides of the radio. Remove the screws, replace the radio, reconnect the harness to your adapter, (Remember the antenna lead.) and reassemble the trim pieces.

Rest was just related to figuring out which External CD changer leads could be used as AUX in!

Total cost $12! Effort 4 hrs!

------------------------------------------------------
My punch - "Screw yourself" if that's what you call experimenting. Mind you - you'll rarely be defenceless enough to let others do that to you anyway!!
------------------------------------------------------

[ECA]

YEP,
Fun isnt it..

[ranjeevmishra]

Sounds funny but I did have some fun screwing myself....

[ECA]

the fun part is remembering where all the screws go...

[soch]

Finally managed to hook on my SanDisk4GB MP3 to my car. This is how I did it:

Step 1: Stereo Removal:
To remove the factory stereo:
1. Unscrew the handle on the transmission shift lever.
2. Lift up and remove the plastic plate covering the shift lever.
3. Pull the fan speed select knob out of the dash and remove the black plastic phillips screw.
4. Pull that plastic plate off, (It does take some effort.) Now you should see the 10mm bolts(3) that hold the radio trim and radio on
you'll need a 6" or 9" extension for your socket wrench to get them out.
5. Behind the radio are two standard Toyota wiring harness (White) plugs, press on the center tab to get them out.
6. Toyota radios are secured to mounting plates on the sides of the radio. Remove the screws, replace the radio, reconnect the harness to your adapter, (Remember the antenna lead.) and reassemble the trim pieces.



CAUTION:

Don't remove the handle of the transmission shift lever, unless you have to.

I have a 1998 Corolla, and there is a overdirive button on the shift lever. While removing the handle the wire for the toggle switch broke and it is almost impossible to put the handle of the shift lever back on the mounting plastic triangular part (black). I might have to take it to the shop :-(

Later on I realized that I didn't have to remove the handle to remove the 3-indash-CD changer trim (for 1998 model)!!

http://www.mattgilbert.net/carstereoauxinput/ lists a method with photographs for hijacking the audio from cd to AMP unit.