iPod Connection

[Danos]

Not sure why Toyota did not include an input jack connection for external music players. Most other toyota models have a input jack however the Aurion's audio unti does not.

Has anyone figured a way to connect an iPod to the head unit. Currently I'm using a Griffin transmitter however the sound quality is not 100% since it's using the FM transmission. Is there an input jack in the rear of the headunit ? If someone has pulled there out maybe they would know. I don't want to pull mine out to find that there is none.

[DJKOR]

Not sure why Toyota did not include an input jack connection for external music players. Most other toyota models have a input jack however the Aurion's audio unti does not.

Has anyone figured a way to connect an iPod to the head unit. Currently I'm using a Griffin transmitter however the sound quality is not 100% since it's using the FM transmission. Is there an input jack in the rear of the headunit ? If someone has pulled there out maybe they would know. I don't want to pull mine out to find that there is none.

I've pulled my head unit out before and there is no AUX IN socket. You should be able to add one in if you can connect onto the pins on the back of the head unit however. It's either the socket with no plug on it, or if it has a plug on it, there are no pins on the connector itself, if you get what I mean. I was going to add in the AUX port myself but couldn't be bothered since it's easy enough for me to use the CD changer with MP3 CD's.

Edited April 28, 2008 by DJKOR

[azn_foolz]

I recently bought one of these Neo Pro links

I haven't actually had the chance to install it, but from what i've heard it just hooks up inside the headunit and u just plug ur ipod in it, or use the aux

[AcoustiK]

Not sure why Toyota did not include an input jack connection for external music players. Most other toyota models have a input jack however the Aurion's audio unti does not.

Has anyone figured a way to connect an iPod to the head unit. Currently I'm using a Griffin transmitter however the sound quality is not 100% since it's using the FM transmission. Is there an input jack in the rear of the headunit ? If someone has pulled there out maybe they would know. I don't want to pull mine out to find that there is none.

The moto for Toyota is, that if you can afford an Aurion, most likely the buyer can afford the HU upgrade, they are just upselling to get more out of you.

[Leroy]

Yeah...stupid optional extras.

How much is said optional upgrade??

Perhaps it would be cheaper just to put in a new HU of your choice...

[dannywss]

as what i will tell all car audio enthusiastic, change the HU and continue from there(unless your car is top range lexus or bmw). You can save more money with playing with the original with lots of junkies, and later ended up again buying a HU. Then having troubles selling those things tat u bought to SUIT the original HU.. i have been there, done that, wasted time and money.

[dannywss]

by the way.. buying those stuff to get your ipod to work on it, u better off just burn all the songs into a CD in mp3 format. I think it can hold mostt of your songs.

[mc223]

by the way.. buying those stuff to get your ipod to work on it, u better off just burn all the songs into a CD in mp3 format. I think it can hold mostt of your songs.

Im not sure quite how many mp3 cd's i will need to hold my 125gig of music but it's close to 180cds which i might have trouble fitting into the glove box...hehe

[DJKOR]

as what i will tell all car audio enthusiastic, change the HU and continue from there(unless your car is top range lexus or bmw). You can save more money with playing with the original with lots of junkies, and later ended up again buying a HU. Then having troubles selling those things tat u bought to SUIT the original HU.. i have been there, done that, wasted time and money.

That was the option I was going to take. I've been using a Pioneer head unit with Bluetooth capabilities, AUX IN, and iPod control and that worked wonders. I was just about to pick up double DIN fascia kit from eBay then install a double DIN head unit with bluetooth and navigation capabilities. After looking scouting around forums and seeing just what it would look like; I wasn't 100% satisfied with the integration and backed off from the idea. I think it might be the fact that the edge of the LCD doesn't directly join to the fascia and that there are a lack of buttons on the sides like the OEM version. Just doesn't seem to look the best in my opinion. Plus I also want to keep my steering wheel controls and don't want to mess around with one of those IR type boxes (SWI-X Universal Steering Wheel Audio Control Interface).

Edited April 28, 2008 by DJKOR

[Danos]

Yeah - I got an 80Gb iPod, not that it's full but it's far easier to plug in a pod than search through numerous MP3 CDs. With the 20Gb I have on my pod now I'd need 14 CDs.

Might give the guys a visit that sell the Neo Pro links, they are around the corner from me. But it seems strange that they say it just plugs into a socket but DJKOR saids:

"I've pulled my head unit out before and there is no AUX IN socket"

Edited April 28, 2008 by Danos

[DJKOR]

Yeah - I got an 80Gb iPod, not that it's full but it's far easier to plug in a pod than search through numerous MP3 CDs. With the 20Gb I have on my pod now I'd need 14 CDs.

Might give the guys a visit that sell the Neo Pro links, they are around the corner from me. But it seems strange that they say it just plugs into a socket but DJKOR saids:

"I've pulled my head unit out before and there is no AUX IN socket"

I should have been a little more specific. There is no 3.5mm or RCA AUX in socket on the back of the factory unit. I do believe you can get AUX in, you just need to connect onto the right pins on one of the three wiring harness sockets at the back of the head unit. There are many "blank" pins there, and I'm pretty sure 4 or 5 of them are used for the AUX in. That's probably where the Neo Pro comes in; to plug into those unused pins.

Edited April 28, 2008 by DJKOR

[riftime]

Not sure why Toyota did not include an input jack connection for external music players. Most other toyota models have a input jack however the Aurion's audio unti does not.

Hmm... this is one of the bones I have to pick with Toyota. This item was a requirement on my list when buying the new car and I had to compromise and drop it in lieu of the Aurion satisfying so many of my other requirements in comparison with the other cars I looked at. Seriously, how much would that have cost Toyota to implement, very little, all they had to do is select a unit that supports it and add the 3.5mm jack?

I'm still not over it though, I love my iPod. I listen to a lot of audio books, and like the ability to be walking while listening, then getting into the car and continuing. I have a Presara which has 4 CDs capacity, and in MP3 format still doesn't come close to the iPod, not to mention that I can't duplicate content and expect to change between iPod and Car mid-book without spending an unreasonable amount of time trying to figure out where I left off... So at the moment I listen to two different "books" in parallel to avoid the continuity issue. Frustrating, but it's probably helping my brain multitask and improving my patience. :)

The Presara unit I hear is something like a $4000 option, it infuriates me that it has no iPod proper connection (capable of charging and navigating iPod), or at least a 3.5mm input. Even if they had designed it as an optional extra, I'd be happy to pay another few hundred dollars to get it done! I know that there are ways (around that price range) that can utilise the audio feeds from CD to augment the unit by way of a switch for an additional audio in input, but it involves modifying, don't know about warranty implications, wouldn't want for Toyota to not cough up for a new head unit if required just because I've added a 3.5mm jack.

I think the reason is the re-use of an existing head unit (out of Lexus older model) which obviously didn't have iPod input - 3-4 years ago iPod wasn't as popular. Leaving design as-is was cheaper than modifying it, and probably had to do with the overall price of the Aurion even if minor (enough minor price items add up).

I still love my Presara despite the lack of iPod interface.

Edited April 29, 2008 by riftime

[David the Viking]

Hi everyone new to the Aurion section. Thought some of you may be interested in this pdf file that I found on the Toyota New Zealand site, as it has a listing for an aux input for the sat-nav systems.

Toyota_Satellite_Navigation_and_Audio_Upgrade_Programme_01_Aug_07_to_01_Feb_08.pdf

[Troy]

Does anyone have the SoundLinq2 SL2i installed in to their sat nav optioned or Presara Aurions? Does it work? Do you get iPod information and control on the touch screen?

[dannywss]

as what i will tell all car audio enthusiastic, change the HU and continue from there(unless your car is top range lexus or bmw). You can save more money with playing with the original with lots of junkies, and later ended up again buying a HU. Then having troubles selling those things tat u bought to SUIT the original HU.. i have been there, done that, wasted time and money.

That was the option I was going to take. I've been using a Pioneer head unit with Bluetooth capabilities, AUX IN, and iPod control and that worked wonders. I was just about to pick up double DIN fascia kit from eBay then install a double DIN head unit with bluetooth and navigation capabilities. After looking scouting around forums and seeing just what it would look like; I wasn't 100% satisfied with the integration and backed off from the idea. I think it might be the fact that the edge of the LCD doesn't directly join to the fascia and that there are a lack of buttons on the sides like the OEM version. Just doesn't seem to look the best in my opinion. Plus I also want to keep my steering wheel controls and don't want to mess around with one of those IR type boxes (SWI-X Universal Steering Wheel Audio Control Interface).

about the interface, we can get audio back, but not the right button(the petrol consumption button back) right? Thats why i got a new idea to solve it.. quoted for labour.. found not very worth it..

[DJKOR]

as what i will tell all car audio enthusiastic, change the HU and continue from there(unless your car is top range lexus or bmw). You can save more money with playing with the original with lots of junkies, and later ended up again buying a HU. Then having troubles selling those things tat u bought to SUIT the original HU.. i have been there, done that, wasted time and money.

That was the option I was going to take. I've been using a Pioneer head unit with Bluetooth capabilities, AUX IN, and iPod control and that worked wonders. I was just about to pick up double DIN fascia kit from eBay then install a double DIN head unit with bluetooth and navigation capabilities. After looking scouting around forums and seeing just what it would look like; I wasn't 100% satisfied with the integration and backed off from the idea. I think it might be the fact that the edge of the LCD doesn't directly join to the fascia and that there are a lack of buttons on the sides like the OEM version. Just doesn't seem to look the best in my opinion. Plus I also want to keep my steering wheel controls and don't want to mess around with one of those IR type boxes (SWI-X Universal Steering Wheel Audio Control Interface).

about the interface, we can get audio back, but not the right button(the petrol consumption button back) right? Thats why i got a new idea to solve it.. quoted for labour.. found not very worth it..

If you were to put in an aftermarket head unit, you would only loose the steering wheel audio control functionality. The 'DISP' button connects to the gauge cluster and as a result, that button on the steering wheel will still function. The SWI X interface that I listed previously is a box which connects to the audio controls on the steering wheel that were disconnected when you remove the OEM head unit. Think of it as a universal remote in which you place an IR sender led somewhere in the car so that if faces the head unit. You then program the box with the IR remote that comes with the head unit (most now come with one) then the box sends out the signals whenever you press the appropriate button on the steering wheel. Not really a clean integration in my opinion.

[dannywss]

If you were to put in an aftermarket head unit, you would only loose the steering wheel audio control functionality. The 'DISP' button connects to the gauge cluster and as a result, that button on the steering wheel will still function. The SWI X interface that I listed previously is a box which connects to the audio controls on the steering wheel that were disconnected when you remove the OEM head unit. Think of it as a universal remote in which you place an IR sender led somewhere in the car so that if faces the head unit. You then program the box with the IR remote that comes with the head unit (most now come with one) then the box sends out the signals whenever you press the appropriate button on the steering wheel. Not really a clean integration in my opinion.

omg.. i didn't know this, i thought it is normal for tat right button not to work anymore.. r u sure? if so, i will need to send my car back to 'fix' tat up!

[DJKOR]

If you were to put in an aftermarket head unit, you would only loose the steering wheel audio control functionality. The 'DISP' button connects to the gauge cluster and as a result, that button on the steering wheel will still function. The SWI X interface that I listed previously is a box which connects to the audio controls on the steering wheel that were disconnected when you remove the OEM head unit. Think of it as a universal remote in which you place an IR sender led somewhere in the car so that if faces the head unit. You then program the box with the IR remote that comes with the head unit (most now come with one) then the box sends out the signals whenever you press the appropriate button on the steering wheel. Not really a clean integration in my opinion.

omg.. i didn't know this, i thought it is normal for tat right button not to work anymore.. r u sure? if so, i will need to send my car back to 'fix' tat up!

Don't take my word for it since I'm not best with automotive wiring diagrams (they are always more confusing to me), but it doesn't appear that the audio control bus from the steering wheel shares the display control. But this then brings up the question; if it no longer works for you, why would it have been disconnected? It could depend on the type of head unit you had before. Did it have the phone function?

My curiosity always gets the best of me. As a result, I'm going to try this for myself. I only have the 6-CD changer however with no phone function. I'm going to unplug the wiring harness from it and see what result I get from the DISP button.

[DJKOR]

Well I disconnected the stereo and the DISP button still worked. Though one strange thing did occur. My temp display on the dash said "E" degrees. Weird.

Edit: When I started the car, the problem went away. Was fine when I stopped it and turned the key back to on.

Edited April 30, 2008 by DJKOR

[ZZR88]

I have a friend with a 2006 camry, also has the buttons on the steering wheel. He got a After market head unit installed and the buttons didnt work anymore.

The guys who installed it said its normal.

[dannywss]

DJKOR, are you sure that the display works, coz the temperature has nothing to do with that.

And looking at ZZR88 he also said that the display button wont work.

This is very confusing here. I remember the audio shop was trying to figure out what to do, but ended up cant get the display working, and i doubt(very) they are that irresponsible.

[Aurion]

There was a place in Sutherland that had sign out the front "iPod your car here". Not to sure if there still there or how they did it though.

[DJKOR]

DJKOR, are you sure that the display works, coz the temperature has nothing to do with that.

And looking at ZZR88 he also said that the display button wont work.

This is very confusing here. I remember the audio shop was trying to figure out what to do, but ended up cant get the display working, and i doubt(very) they are that irresponsible.

Sorry about that; just disregard what I said. When I unplugged the stereo, I unplugged it without pulling the stereo out (I can work my hands into cramped spaces). I pulled it all out today with a bit more light, and noticed I missed one plug which I had mistaken for the A/C control wiring. I have attached a photo of the plug that when removed, causes the DISP button to no longer work. The DISP button works fine when this is plugged into the head unit even when everything else in the head unit is unplugged. I got out my multimeter and tested the cables to see if I could work something out from it.

Unfortunately I couldn't obtain anything useful from my readings. It definitely seems like a digital type circuit and it is not just a simple join the wire job. I wonder why the unit for it is located in the head unit? Anyways, here is what I was able to record:

Purple: 0V when ignition is off - 10.97V when ignition is on.

Pink: 0V when ignition is on or off - 4.69V when DISP button is pressed - 10.97V when parker lights are on (will remain at 10.97V even if DISP is pressed)

Orange: 0V when ignition is on or off - 4.69V when DISP button is pressed - 10.97V when parker lights are on (will remain at 10.97V even if DISP is pressed)

Yellow: 0V when ignition is on or off - 4.69V when DISP button is pressed - 10.97V when parker lights are on (will remain at 10.97V even if DISP is pressed)

As you can see, the pink, orange, and yellow all behave the same when the DISP button is pressed. One interesting note is that pressing any of the audio buttons on the steering wheel gave no readings on those wires when pressed.

Edited May 1, 2008 by DJKOR

[dannywss]

Well, next time pull the whole thing out before saying something, coz it scares me, when thinking that i had destroyed some cables or plugs that killed my display button.

Simple saying, the display is connected to the HU, then the HU send signal(not using more/less volt, but another thingy, which i understood from MEA forum but forgot the name) to the ECU.

That is why, the HU plug must have some wire same with the display button's plug, and if we managed to connect them together, display will work again. This is what i thought, but was told not worth doing it as any wrong wire connect to power, big mess! and why the display plug has soo much different wires? If the plug only have 2 wires, then easy. DJKOR, mayb you can try find out which wire brings the display button back to life, i will pay for your findings! haha

Edited May 1, 2008 by dannywss

[riftime]

Does anyone have the SoundLinq2 SL2i installed in to their sat nav optioned or Presara Aurions? Does it work? Do you get iPod information and control on the touch screen?

I looked into this and the answer is unfortunately NO. On the Presara, you will NOT be able to get iPod information and control displayed on the nav screen.

This made it less attractive for me and did not go ahead with it.