Audio Link USB/MP3 install with pics!

[skeppley]

Got my audiolink MP3 player from RPM.
http://www.therpmstore.com/product_info.php?cPath=116&products_id=141

One of the nicest upgrades for playing mp3's directly through the system and controlled via the steering wheel buttons.

I was a bit hesitant of removing the center bezel, but was assured by a few forum members that it wasnt to difficult. I went and bought a pack of plastic putty knives to slip through the cracks of the bezel and release the clips, but found out a trusty 2 bend screwdriver was all that i needed to do the job.

I'll just post some pics of the very simple removal, and show the position of the enormous amount of clips and there location for others doing this job.

Below is the screwdriver, with a bit of electrical tape around it:

 

[skeppley]

Put the screwdriver in the tiny slot at the bottom of the bezel, and gently pull straight out toward the shifter. Mine popped all 3 lower clips right out with no problems.

 

[skeppley]

After the 3 lower clips popped, i just firmly pulled out on both sides and followed through all the way up until the entire bezel came off.
Here is a pic of the large amount of clips holding it on!!

 

[skeppley]

When the bezels off, it's just 4 phillips heads holding in the head unit, then pull it out and insert the Audiolink cable directly into the back of the unit.

 

[skeppley]

I just ran my audiolink directly to the glove box since it really isnt needed sitting out in the open. Just toss in a jump drive, or any card with a USB reader, or even headphone/line in and close the glove box and go (cool)

 

[skeppley]

Here are the pictures of the holes the clips go into when the bezel is removed.

Hope this helps anyone worried about tearing into there new car!!

Took about 20 minutes for the entire job.

 

[krekc]

Nice work mate but we need this for the bose/nav package.

 

[skeppley]

This is for the 6CD Bose package.
Cant help ya with the Nav though.

 

[CX-7owner]

THANK YOU For the info! I am going to tear into my dash today, I was hesitant to remove the bezel too, the ipod is going to sound so good through my cars new audio system. Great info man!

 

[Alpha Wolf]

Nice pictures and instructions...


What is the advantage of the Audio link over the Mazda Ipod link?


Both end up in the glove box...


Cost?
Are there other features?
Since it appears to allow any flash drive MP3 device to connect

How does this work through to bose system? Is is just on? Or can you switch through how it orders the songs (band, type, playlist)

Just curious as the Mazda Ipod link specifically tells you that a shuffle for example lacks features to run through the systems controls?


Just curious as I have the Mazda IPod unit in mine....

 

[skeppley]

Nice pictures and instructions...


What is the advantage of the Audio link over the Mazda Ipod link?

The only real difference is the MP3 unit allows any flash type memory card to be inserted via the usb port/cardreader and allows full functions on the steering wheel to control it.

The Ipod does the same, from what i've read, but only can control an ipod. No Flash cards at all.

They both have line in, so anyone with a headphone jack and a player like a CD or MP3 player can hook directly into the stereo, but the steering wheel controls cant control the line in.

Price is the same too. As a matter of fact, the ipod could be played through the line in jack on the MP3 unit using the headphone jack, but it would lack the nice steering wheel controls.


Glad this has helped a few people.
Shane

 

[AWmustang]

If you used the USB cable with the IPOD would it work and alllow steering wheel control?

 

[Alpha Wolf]

The only real difference is the MP3 unit allows any flash type memory card to be inserted via the usb port/cardreader and allows full functions on the steering wheel to control it.

The Ipod does the same, from what i've read, but only can control an ipod. No Flash cards at all.

They both have line in, so anyone with a headphone jack and a player like a CD or MP3 player can hook directly into the stereo, but the steering wheel controls cant control the line in.

Price is the same too. As a matter of fact, the ipod could be played through the line in jack on the MP3 unit using the headphone jack, but it would lack the nice steering wheel controls.


Glad this has helped a few people.
Shane

You are correct, the Mazda IPOD can only do Nano and IPOD, not the shuffle or memory sticks etc.

It does allow you to choose mode of play etc using the car controls but it does not display song / artist etc on display just numbers.

Nice idea for those without the $200+ Ipod...

 

[naldoca]

CD changer error

I instaled this weekend the ipod integration by audio link and the cd changer stopped working.. I get an error (Check CD).

 

[cricket1977]

I ran my audiolink connector all along the underneath of the center console. I took out that entire console and unscrewed the bottom of the storage from the frame surround. Basically if you open up that center console armrest and run you finger along where it latches you will feel a gap; well that is where I ran my Ipod line through so now my Ipod sits in that little moveable cup/change holder. It was a biatch to figure out how to do that when I started since there was no walk-thru on how to remove that center console storage and separate it from the frame without breaking anything. I 3m doubleside taped the audiolink box to the metal framework that lies beneath all that center console/shifter plastic. I guess I could have gone the easier route to the glove box but I didn't want to have to lean over if I wanted to change my playlists and what not.

 

[chillum]

Is it esy to get the antenna wire back into the head unit after pulling it out? Is there enought slack? Thinking about installing one of these: Sirus FM direct connector

 

[]BW[]

I 've bought the same usb/line in device then from connects2.com, for my mazda2 (october 2003). According to their specifications it should work also work for a mazda2. The carstereo exits only out the fabric carradio.
Have tested the usb device on other carradio and the results were postive.

So I insert the Audiolink directly into the backup of the unit.
Got no signal on the device. Also the button to select cd or cdc didn't work. (pissed)

The mazadadealer told my that the cd button will work when a cd player is installed. But if the carstereo can be extened modulair then this would be functional there it use the same audiolink in as the usb device. He also told my that this mazda2 is not from the S series so isn't supporting this. But he couldn't explain my exactly why it would not work.
And payin' 300 euro for just a cdplayer..(uhm) (uhm)

So could it be that the radio is the problem?

 

[BugDude10]

Skepply, you da man! (bowdown)

Question: I can't tell from your pictures, but would it have been feasible to put a hole in the bottom of the radio-area so that the device could sit in the "tray" in front of the shifter? (I'd probably use mine to connect my iRiver Clix through the audio jack, and would want them sitting closer than in the glove compartment.)

Also, how does the "box" connect to the cable that runs to the back of the head unit -- is it permanently attached, or does it plug & unplug?

Finally, how does it sound?

Thanks for going to the effort to help the rest of us out!

 

[chillum]

For sale

I have the mp3 version for sale. like new. I decided to go with the sirius instead and you cant have both installed at the same time.
PM me if interested.

 

[Tirapapas]

Thanks to this post by skeppley I decided to buy and install the Audiolink myself. I did about the same as cricket1977 did, running the connector underneath the center console. This post would like to complement with pictures and diagrams the original skeppley post.

I would recommend this video, that certainly gave me confidence:

http://www.howdudothat.com/view/13/audiolink-ipod-mp3-adapter-installation-for-mazda-6/

First, I disconnected the negative battery cable because I kept reading about it, so I did.

Then, I dismounted the lateral panels of the center console, as the diagrams and photos show.