Audio Link USB/MP3 install with pics!
- Thread starter skeppley
- Start date
This is how the panel look up to this point.
Then you should follow the removal of the central panel. I didn't include any photos, as skeppley did it very well. I do include a diagram of the removal.
The diagram suggest beginning with the 2 "B clips". I did as skeppley, which, if you remove the shift panel posted before, you don't need a two bend screwdriver. A plain one will do. However, the 2 "B clips" are very different of the "A clips", being the former metal ones.
The removal of the central panel was the most delicate step. The remove the stereo, plug the Audio link, run the audiolink to the bottom and then you are all set.
Then you should follow the removal of the central panel. I didn't include any photos, as skeppley did it very well. I do include a diagram of the removal.
The diagram suggest beginning with the 2 "B clips". I did as skeppley, which, if you remove the shift panel posted before, you don't need a two bend screwdriver. A plain one will do. However, the 2 "B clips" are very different of the "A clips", being the former metal ones.
The removal of the central panel was the most delicate step. The remove the stereo, plug the Audio link, run the audiolink to the bottom and then you are all set.
Attachments
Then you remove the central console, basically unscrewing eight screws and removing two fasteners (my only mistake was breaking one of the two plastic fasteners; it should be an easy repair; my problem was that I didn't new the nature of those fasteners). I have to say that two of the screws, the ones under the stereo rack, are hex heads and you need a long hex screwdriver, and I was lucky that matched the only one I have.
I drilled a hole in the central armrest, from where a run the audio link / ipod cable. Then, you can run it outside the console, or leave the ipod inside. The beauty is that you can lock the ipod inside. The ipod starts and shuts down automatically when you turn off the car.
Back to the installation: Going back to my experience, It might be possible, but I am not sure, that you can skip the removal of the central console and still do the installation. Maybe if you "guide" the ipod cable once you drill the hole, you can do it. As I say, I am not sure.
I did not remove completely the central console. You can say that I just moved it around to see the bottom, to search for best drill location, and to make sure I wouldn't screw up anything.
Everything went as planned, and there is a certain relief once you place everything in its place. Hope this would help.
Thanks again, skeppley.
I drilled a hole in the central armrest, from where a run the audio link / ipod cable. Then, you can run it outside the console, or leave the ipod inside. The beauty is that you can lock the ipod inside. The ipod starts and shuts down automatically when you turn off the car.
Back to the installation: Going back to my experience, It might be possible, but I am not sure, that you can skip the removal of the central console and still do the installation. Maybe if you "guide" the ipod cable once you drill the hole, you can do it. As I say, I am not sure.
I did not remove completely the central console. You can say that I just moved it around to see the bottom, to search for best drill location, and to make sure I wouldn't screw up anything.
Everything went as planned, and there is a certain relief once you place everything in its place. Hope this would help.
Thanks again, skeppley.
Attachments
![Foto_092207_011[1].webp](/forum/data/attachments/70/70145-7cd4de88a1573791382183d1d9875e4c.jpg?hash=YRzdjozP0x)
Last edited:
Just got mine today, and tore into the dash when I got home to install it.
Has anyone else gotten a buzzing sound out of this thing when it's connected and active through the head unit? I ran the connector wire from under the dash next to the driver's right knee (thinking I might attach it to that side panel so it's conveniently located), then tried the other footwell in case the buzz was caused by interference from something under the driver-side dash. I'm getting the buzz from both sides.
And, naturally, RPM is closed for the day.
Anyone?
Has anyone else gotten a buzzing sound out of this thing when it's connected and active through the head unit? I ran the connector wire from under the dash next to the driver's right knee (thinking I might attach it to that side panel so it's conveniently located), then tried the other footwell in case the buzz was caused by interference from something under the driver-side dash. I'm getting the buzz from both sides.
And, naturally, RPM is closed for the day.
Anyone?
try this.. it worked for me
http://www.radioshack.com/sm-more-product-information-for-the-ground-loop-isolator--pi-2062214.html
http://www.radioshack.com/sm-more-product-information-for-the-ground-loop-isolator--pi-2062214.html
Chillum: If you're suggesting that the RS device might help with the hum, I don't think I should be forced to buy something else because the Audio Link isn't well-designed enough to avoid creating the hum in the first place. And if you're suggesting that I should've bought the RS device in the first place to attach my player (iRiver Clix), then you may be right, but I already have the RPM device and I expect it to work. (If it doesn't, and I return it, I'll look into the RS device, though.) Thanks for the suggestion, though.
Anyone else have this problem with the RPM device? Did I miss something in the install, or did I just get a defective unit?
Anyone else have this problem with the RPM device? Did I miss something in the install, or did I just get a defective unit?
i guess that is what i am suggesting. i had the problem when i plugged in something that was powered from the cigarrette lighter - must have been 'dirty' power. when i used a rechargable battery powered device i had no hum. when i used a usb flash drive i had no problem either. with the ground loop isolator it cleaned it up without trouble. i think it is a common issue with many such devices when powering them in a car. like that whining you can sometimes hear in some cars which changes pitch as you accelerate. im not sure if it reflects on the design or quality of the device.
are you only getting the hum if you are using a cigarette lighter powered device or non powered devices too?
are you only getting the hum if you are using a cigarette lighter powered device or non powered devices too?
There's nothing poorly designed about the RPM product. The fact is that if you are powering a device through the cigarette lighter you will get a hum. I don't know the technical reason, but I do know that this is simply how these things work in car stereos. We went through this when we installed the aux mod in my roommate's Speed6. However, we were warned by the manufacturer of his aux mod to purchase it ahead of time. That is why the Radio Shack device exists. RPM should have told you that you would need it if you were going to be playing something powered by the lighter.
Unplug your iRiver from the power cord, run it on it's own battery and I bet the hum disappears.
Oh and by the way, you'll have to play with the volume of your player and the volume of your car to find a happy medium with the least amount of hum. Even with the Radio Shack device you may get some hum at louder volumes.
I have not attached anything powered by the lighter to the RPM link -- the iRiver was running on its own battery power. Further, the hum occurs even when nothing is attached to the RPM device.
I contacted RPM about the problem, and the response was that there should be no hum. RPM says it will send me a replacement device on Monday; I'll report back after I install it.
I contacted RPM about the problem, and the response was that there should be no hum. RPM says it will send me a replacement device on Monday; I'll report back after I install it.
OK, I received the replacement unit today, installed it this evening, and... no hum! Excellent! I'll report back if there are any other issues worth noting.
I mounted the device with Velcro next to my right knee. A neat touch is that, when the device is on/active, a blue light glows, not unlike the overhead blue light, illuminating the driver's footwell.
And, BTW, I found removing the center bezel less than easy. Worth it, yes, but easy, no.
I mounted the device with Velcro next to my right knee. A neat touch is that, when the device is on/active, a blue light glows, not unlike the overhead blue light, illuminating the driver's footwell.
And, BTW, I found removing the center bezel less than easy. Worth it, yes, but easy, no.
VirginMazdaOwne
Member
I would lke to than Skeppley for this posting (and Tirapapas). This is a nice little device I doubt I would of ever found it on my own. But I wanted some way to jack into the radio even before I purchased the car and almost considered not buying because of it! The installation went without a hitch thanks to both your detailed info. My wife was pretty dam scarred but I must say I've tried taking apart interior way back in the day and never did it without breaking somthing and never got it back to factory.
So again thank you both!
I ended up running mine into the center console drilled a nice round hole at the bottom directly under the cig lighter then mounted the player right below the cig lighter the install looks very clean and dam near pro imho
The device works very nice and I think it sounds better than the cd's. I have only 2 things in con sort of way but imo they are really not worth mentioning but hey for those of you that want to do it this forum is great on detailed info. When I pulled the main bezel off I checked all the clips and I was missing one(shocked)! Second from the bottom right hand side on the vertical run. I looked at the left side and the clip was bent out pretty hard I got a little worried but looked for it right away and there it was near the bottom of the floorboard stuck between the center cosole and the carpet! (bow) Both of these clips took a pretty hard bend and when I bent them back I got that feeling that one more bend and they might break so be careful. I wonder if applying pressure some other way than just pulling from bottome up would be less tramatic any who the other thing is when I advance songs some times it advances the number but stays on the song, a simple back advance then fwd again takes care of the problem this seems to me to be lag much like a computer I'm a bit more savey on the cpu side than the automotive. I use to work on cars but that was back before a computer was even dreamed of being in a car!
Thanks again I highley recommend this if your looking to jack in!
So again thank you both!
I ended up running mine into the center console drilled a nice round hole at the bottom directly under the cig lighter then mounted the player right below the cig lighter the install looks very clean and dam near pro imho
The device works very nice and I think it sounds better than the cd's. I have only 2 things in con sort of way but imo they are really not worth mentioning but hey for those of you that want to do it this forum is great on detailed info. When I pulled the main bezel off I checked all the clips and I was missing one(shocked)! Second from the bottom right hand side on the vertical run. I looked at the left side and the clip was bent out pretty hard I got a little worried but looked for it right away and there it was near the bottom of the floorboard stuck between the center cosole and the carpet! (bow) Both of these clips took a pretty hard bend and when I bent them back I got that feeling that one more bend and they might break so be careful. I wonder if applying pressure some other way than just pulling from bottome up would be less tramatic any who the other thing is when I advance songs some times it advances the number but stays on the song, a simple back advance then fwd again takes care of the problem this seems to me to be lag much like a computer I'm a bit more savey on the cpu side than the automotive. I use to work on cars but that was back before a computer was even dreamed of being in a car!
Thanks again I highley recommend this if your looking to jack in!
THOUGHT OUT
Member
Let me help everyone out with old but useful post...with a discount too.
About a year ago I worked this all out with a very useful post on company news site. We (I) made use of our FlexPED (a Flexible iPod holder that can be configured to hold iPod or iPhones with cases or skin) and the Audiolink connector that we offer a $15 discount code with purchase of the FlexPED.
About a year ago I worked this all out with a very useful post on company news site. We (I) made use of our FlexPED (a Flexible iPod holder that can be configured to hold iPod or iPhones with cases or skin) and the Audiolink connector that we offer a $15 discount code with purchase of the FlexPED.
VirginMazdaOwne
Member
I'm just anit Ipod I hate secure MP3's I understand why but such a hassle for the honest joe. The idea of having to buy a high end apple product when there are so many other options just sucks. I also like how the install I did is hidden no gadget showing so I don't have to worry about leaving it in. I understand the want for having it mounted there but for me there are enough distractions on the road avoiding the people talking on cell phones and flipping through their play lists either way its just great to have the options.
either way its just great to have the options.CeeExSeven
Member
- :
- 2007 CX7
First off, thanks to all who posted instructions on how to pull up the center console and the bezel around the HVAC/Stereo cluster. I'm talking to you Skepply and Tirapapas. MOST helpful!
Second, thanks to RPM for taking care of me when the first unit I ordered got lost in the mail. David was quick to respond through e-mail and made a follow-up phone call to make sure everything was right.
Finally, some questions: For anyone that has used the USB/MP3 player, what file system did you use for your jump drive? I tried one drive that was formatted as FAT and had no luck, I then tried FAT32 and after a few minutes that one started working properly.
I'll do some more experimenting today but maybe someone here knows; Does the file system matter? Was I just not patient enough with the FAT drive? Perhaps the AudioLink has to index the files on the drive before it can start playing? So many questions! Anyone who can direct me to some technical papers on this unit would be doing this nerd a huge service
Second, thanks to RPM for taking care of me when the first unit I ordered got lost in the mail. David was quick to respond through e-mail and made a follow-up phone call to make sure everything was right.
Finally, some questions: For anyone that has used the USB/MP3 player, what file system did you use for your jump drive? I tried one drive that was formatted as FAT and had no luck, I then tried FAT32 and after a few minutes that one started working properly.
I'll do some more experimenting today but maybe someone here knows; Does the file system matter? Was I just not patient enough with the FAT drive? Perhaps the AudioLink has to index the files on the drive before it can start playing? So many questions! Anyone who can direct me to some technical papers on this unit would be doing this nerd a huge service
VirginMazdaOwne
Member
I just plugged in my thunmb drive created the folders and started dragging and dropping I'm going to guess Fat32 but my wife is out driving so heck it could be ntfs? I doubt it, I'd say fire off a email to RPM about what should work best.
Good luck
Good luck
I would lke to than Skeppley for this posting (and Tirapapas). This is a nice little device I doubt I would of ever found it on my own. But I wanted some way to jack into the radio even before I purchased the car and almost considered not buying because of it! The installation went without a hitch thanks to both your detailed info. My wife was pretty dam scarred but I must say I've tried taking apart interior way back in the day and never did it without breaking somthing and never got it back to factory.
So again thank you both!
I ended up running mine into the center console drilled a nice round hole at the bottom directly under the cig lighter then mounted the player right below the cig lighter the install looks very clean and dam near pro imho
The device works very nice and I think it sounds better than the cd's. I have only 2 things in con sort of way but imo they are really not worth mentioning but hey for those of you that want to do it this forum is great on detailed info. When I pulled the main bezel off I checked all the clips and I was missing one(shocked)! Second from the bottom right hand side on the vertical run. I looked at the left side and the clip was bent out pretty hard I got a little worried but looked for it right away and there it was near the bottom of the floorboard stuck between the center cosole and the carpet! (bow) Both of these clips took a pretty hard bend and when I bent them back I got that feeling that one more bend and they might break so be careful. I wonder if applying pressure some other way than just pulling from bottome up would be less tramatic any who the other thing is when I advance songs some times it advances the number but stays on the song, a simple back advance then fwd again takes care of the problem this seems to me to be lag much like a computer I'm a bit more savey on the cpu side than the automotive. I use to work on cars but that was back before a computer was even dreamed of being in a car!
Thanks again I highley recommend this if your looking to jack in!
I also had problems with the "B" clips on the factory face-plate cover. Apparently these clips need to be "uncliped" with a screw-driver. They will not let go without bending. Both my "B" clips got bent, I removed them completely. Everything fit snug -no issues.
Once again thank the OP for the info and pictures on the install. It helped me big time this last weekend. Audio-Link sounds better than CDs!
Eric
