Non Functional AUX port

[akumadiavolo]

So I just picked up a 2007 MS3 and am generally very happy, but when I press the Media button on the stereo nothing happens. I have my ipod hooked up but when I press media I get nothing and when I use the mode button the the wheel it just skips AUX. I get CD/SAT/Radio, but not AUX. Is there something I am missing? Why does the AUX port not seem to work?

Thanks.

 

[AgFrost]

Aux is disabled if you have sat radio. It's one or the other. On the other hand, there must be a way to have both. Hmmmm...

 

[akumadiavolo]

Yeah I was seeing that stuff, but I just couldn't fathom the fact that any company would would be stupid enough to have two advertised features, but them not let you use them both, so I had to ask. Why should I pay 200 bucks and go through a hassle to do what many other car can do right away? I love the car, but my god is that a stupid thing for them to do.

 

[Grommish]

Its because on the SAT Cable that runs to the Sirius box, there is no Pin 13 in the cable, which is what Activates the MEDIA button. (At least, if its the same HU at the Speed6)

I'm looking at pulling the connector apart at the HU and inserting a female connector into the empty slot and vamp-tapping the 1-3-5-7 pins on the harness.

Honestly, I'm thinking about doing the 1 to 13 bridge at the HU and then doing the 3-5-7 Tap to a bluetooth dongle in the trunk for the "aux" signal.. I don't have a iPOD/Zune, but I do have a Phone with Unlimited data and streaming music, so AD2P Bluetooth would work well for me. Then i can run a 12v to 5v converter for USB charging of the dongle..

Either that, or having the dongle on the visor, tapping the rear-view mirror (I've got the powered one) and storing the stepdown converter in the sunglass visor since I never use it.. that'll give me a hands-free on the Aux channel.

 

[icspots]

Both the sirius and the ACI (Auxiliary Console Input) use the same port on the back of the HU. So having sirius hooked up means that the ACI gets unplugged. Yes it's lame that Mazda designed it that way.... really they were late to the scene in including an input so I think they just kind of shoe horned it in at the last second vs. actually designing it well. They fixed it in ...... the '08.5 I think and put a second plug (or a passthrough) or something for the ACI to still be connected with the sirius.

Okay now that said you still have some options. There is an OEM "switchbox" you can get for about $110 that plugs into that single port on the HU and then allows you to plug in both the sirius and ACI. Alternately you could get an AuxMod basic audio input. This plugs in through the TAPE/MD port on the bottom of the HU so you'd be able to use both the sirius and an external device. The plug in the armrest would no longer function, but you could run your cable out to wherever you'd like. Third option is if you'd prefer to have the input and don't really care about sirius you can just unplug the sirius and plug the ACI cable back in. Really what you do is up to you. Swapping the plugs would be the cheapest, AuxMod would be around ~$60, and obviously the OEM method would be the priciest.