The Great Switch-box Adventure

[wakblak]

As part of my deal, I got the dealer to through in the installation of a switch box so I could get back my use of the aux input in combination with the navigation and the Sirius satellite.

I waited a month for them to get the part in stock which they claimed was back ordered with no estimated arrival time.
I quickly located the switch box at another local dealer as well as online.
I notified my dealer that the could obtain the part from the other dealer which is not more then 30 miles away.

The next day, they claimed that the other dealer would not let them obtain the switch box since it was for their own customers.
I was like, what? Mazda dealers cannot swap parts between themselves? Is this part that hot, that they stockpile them when they get them?

The service lady then contacted me and remarked that the last time they had to do the switch box install, that it took 3 months!

F#*% that! I was not waiting 3 months to get the part installed!

I order the part from finishlineperformance.com and got it in 4 days.

I called the dealer and told them I had obtained the part, I needed it installed and to provide the refund for the part once everything was working.

They promptly scheduled my service and then all hell broke loose!

I my picked my CX-9 up after it was there all day. I barely got there as the joint was closing and grab the keys.

Fired up my Ipod through the Aux jack and hit the Media button...
Nothing... no sound no switching, nothing.

I started cursing and then tried some other tricks to see if something was wrong (powered down, resetting, etc.).
It still didn't work.

Went to call the service department to leave a message. The bluetooth button doesn't work!

Sh*t! I turn on the Sirius. It displays, but no sound!

The next morning I'm back at the dealer. I tell them that whatever they did, it did not work and they needed to fix my CX-9 NOW!

Sure, they say. They then have the SUV for 4 days!
They get the switch box to work and the restore the Sirius, but the bluetooth button has them stumped.

They now are going to replace the whole Navigation unit.
The part is supposed to be in within a week but I have lost confidence that these guys have any idea what they are doing.

I think my CX-9 is great, but I'm seriously doubting that the service guys at this dealership know what they are doing and that Mazda USA needs to train these guys better on how to work on the 9!

Pissed in the PacWest!

 

[aciurczak]

Crap. We're having the exact same install scheduled for this weekend. We have a GT AWD with factory navi, and they are installing Sirius as well as the switchbox so we can still use the aux port (to listen to iPod). If you find out any gotchas that would be helpful to the service guys here in northern california, please post them on this thread quickly. The dealership says they will be done in a day, but it will be an all day project.

 

[Craig-CX9]

I still think that Mazda owes us a true iPod solution instead of getting the AUX to work with the Sirius.. That's what they advertise.. and to boot even if you don't have Sirius and get the iPod module you still don't get data on the screen!

Craig

 

[wakblak]

My only suggestion is to make sure that they have done it before and if they haven't to check with Mazda's service hotline that dealer's can use.

Check everything before you leave the dealer and make sure the put everything back together.

The 12 volt socket under the heat controls on my 9 doesn't work either. They appear to not know the wiring for the everything.

 

[aciurczak]

All is well. We're up and running with a GT AWD with Navi, Sirius, and a working Aux port. The tech rep called us at noon saying that we would have to sign a statement agreeing that we could only use an iPod once they installed the Sirius and the switchbox; nothing else would work. This obviously makes no sense, as the Aux port can be used for anything that has a 1/8" stereo plug.

I went back to the dealership (we were taking a class only a few miles away) to figure out what the heck they were talking about. The technician who was installing things misunderstood, and thought we were looking to have the Mazda iPod Integration kit installed. Once we cleared up that all we were looking for was Sirius, the Aux port, and the factory Navi to work; he understood and stated that it would work no problem with the switchbox. And he was right. All power outlets work as before, Bluetooth works as before, we're happy with the install.

I wish they could have aligned the car today, but after saying they could they realized that their machine only works for 18" wheels and below; they are kinda screwed with the new 20" on the CX-9's and they farm out alignments (which they can't do on the weekend).

 

[wakblak]

Awesome that it worked out for you.
Are you using the 12 volt socket in the center console to charge the unit?

 

[aciurczak]

We tested to make sure that all 12V sockets still work, and they do. Frankly, we won't be using the aux port for day to day use; we'll only be using the iPod on long trips (my wife prefers satellite radio). On my other mazda, using the aux port while charging the ipod through that 12V socket causes a grouind loop buzz, so I've ordered two ground loop prevention cords to use in each car in case we'd want to charge the ipod while we are listening to it.

 

[wakblak]

Yea, the charging noise is what I was wondering about.
So I need to get the ground loop thing to cut the noise or don't use a charger?

 

[aciurczak]

I think that's right. If you want to charge the ipod and listen to it at the same time, the ground loop blocker seems to be necessary on my Mazdaspeed3. I'm assuming the CX-9 will behave the same way. The ground loop blockers are dirt cheap. Crutchfield will sell you one for $25 or so, but I ordered two on ebay for a total of $20 or so. I don't understand why it can't be already in the aux circuit built into the car, but if it's < $20 to fix, I'm not going to worry too much about it.

 

[DashingMax]

Crutchfield has it for $17.99 now.

 

[aarroneous]

You all should really check out this thread:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123663688

 

[kkm11]

Dealer says can't have Nav, Sirius and Aux

I have GT with Nav and Sirius....after reading these posts, I asked my dealer to install switch box so I could use Aux port. Instead of doing that, they just disconnected Sirius and plugged in Aux. When I told them Sirius was not working, they said I could not have both with Nav. I explained that I did not want ipod module, but they said it did not matter...that they can't hook up either Aux or ipod with Sirius, regardless of switching box. They have offered to do an aftermarket hook up, but I would like to show them it is possible to do this by just installing the switching box. Could someone provide the name of their dealership if they were able to get NAV + Sirius+ Aux to work?

Thanks in advance...

 

[aciurczak]

Oak Tree Mazda in San Jose California. I have the GT AWD with Nav. Aux port worked fine. Added Sirius and the switchbox, now have Nav/Aux/Sirius all working fine.

Go to this link:

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/instructions/cx9/index.html

and print out the instructions for the Satellite Radio install and the Switching Box install; it's clear as day that it's workable. Take them into your dealer and don't take no for an answer, they are wrong.

 

[kkm11]

Thanks, thanks, thanks...you ROCK!!!

 

[kkm11]

Just an FYI...I called Mazda customer service today to complain about this confusion and she was adamant that the switching box (so you can have both Satellite and Aux) will not work with a system that has navigation. She did state that Mazda is working on a fix for this for 2007 models. I inquired if this would be free, especially given that their "Spoiled" commercial markets all three options in its commercials. She said she could not give me a definitive date, but indicated that she thought this may be offered without cost.

I also gave the name of Oak Tree Mazda to my dealer and the link to manuals at Arlington Mazda in Virginia. I am not sure, though, how receptive they are being.

If the best thing I can get them to do is the wired fm modulator for the ipod, is this a bad result? Should I just take my car somewhere else?

 

[aciurczak]

It's a horrible result. You're talking to morons. Find another dealer.

What they are saying is true if you had a CX-7, but is not true for the CX-9's. We're not talking about finding the easter bunny or the tooth fairy, we're talking about having Nav/Sirius/Aux port working. Which the documentation says is possible, right on page 18 of the Sirius install docs.

If you're set on working with the moronic dealership that you're already at, then you need to threaten them that you will completely trash them on any customer service survey you ever receive from Mazda regarding your purchase experience and your service experience. That is real $ that you are taking from them, the results of those surveys affecting which cars they can order and will receive from the factory in the future. Keep fighting until you find someone who can read, and then make that person work to get your car working the way you are asking. OTD, this is a $40K purchase. It's obscene that they are treating you this way. The service advisor at Oak Tree who finally understood what I was talking about, and worked with the service techs to get mine installed correctly, was a guy named Robert.

EDIT: Just read your post. Don't just send them the links to the PDF's, download them yourself, read them, and then understand why this is possible. Heck, you can order the parts online and install it yourself if you have a few hours to kill on a Saturday morning.

 

[wakblak]

That is flat out not true.
The switch box does work with the Nav unit to enable the aux port and Sirius.
The dealers don't know how to do it, but one call to the tech service guys at Mazda can fix that.
The CS you got isn't up on things. I would call back and get another one.
Have them call your dealer to straighten things out.

 

[cx9er]

I think you need to go somewhere else. It seems that people do have the switch-box, Satalite and Aux port working. If your dealer can't figure it out I would try a different dealer before settling for aftermarket. I am currently trying to get XM connected to my GT with the NAV system. There is a company that make the interface to do so using the media button instead of the SAT button. The interface also allows use of a second input for ipod or other source. There is a plug sold for Mazda that will allow this to be done on most models but I have not confirmed if it will actually work for the CX9 with Navi...I need to pull out the nav unit and check for the plug...When I get a chance I will do so and post it....I do perfer XM over Sirus so hopefully it will work.

 

[kkm11]

Thanks for all the support. I do have the CX-9 (with just about everything on it, except rear entertainment) and am very frustrated. While I admit I don't have a lot of expertise with cars...I do have a lot of experience with computers. Their responses just didn't make sense, but it is so frustrating.

I will try one more time to educate them...then I think I am going to make them give me the switching box and have someone else install it, if they won't. I will remind them that I still have not completed the customer survey mentioned...and resolution of this issue will greatly affect how I respond.

Does anyone have a place to recommend in Chicago?

 

[l-miwa]

Does anyone have a place to recommend in Chicago?

I got my CX-9 from Oak Lawn Mazda. So far they have been pretty good (parts guy is really helpful), but I haven't needed the service department to do anything more difficult that an oil change!