Any way to get aux in for mp3 on 2003 corolla?

[benek]

I have a 2003 Toyota TS with factory stereo. There is a small number on the stereo that reads 37803.

I am looking to connect my mp3 player (not ipod) to the stereo. I know in the US they have devices like this: http://www.pie.net/store/index.cfm?acti ... &ItemID=26
or this: http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=705 which create aux inputs that allow for this. Is there anything like this available in NZ? Or will the US kits work?

[johntramp]

i made one for mine which connects to the m-bus (i think thats what its called) in the back... where a cd shuttler would plug in. cost about $2 and a little research.
it is an alpine headunit i have by the way

[Alex B]

easy options, replace it with a unit with AUX input, FM modulator, or if it has casset then use an adaptor.

[benek]

easy options, replace it with a unit with AUX input, FM modulator, or if it has casset then use an adaptor.

Yes, I'm aware of these options.
I'd rather avoid the cost of a new unit. FM modulator and cassette adapter sound is not very good. I'd really like a direct connection.

[benek]

Has anyone successfully gotten aux inputs from a factory toyota stereo, with a device like this or otherwise? I thought this sort of thing was common.

[DeeCee]

its becoming more common, more so in the states. I'd check out some american sites for DIY solutions.

The trick is to tap into the changer plug to get the input in. Do some research and find out the pin configuration on the plug to achieve this. The PIE unit does just that, taps into the factory changer plug and allows input into the factory headunit.

Email PIE and check the plug configuration. Supply pictures and lotsa info about your unit etc etc and they will most likely let you know whether their unit works with your system or not.

Alternativly you can try and import one of the following items but both will cost you $$ accordingly:
JL Cleansweep:

http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_clea ... page_id=79




Rockford Fosgate 3 Sixty:

http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/products ... cale=en_US

[benek]

Without ripping my dash apart to get to the back of the stereo, is there someplace I can get more information about the factory stereo in my car so that I know what I need to know to get the right part?

It's a 2003 Toyota Corolla TS, with single in-dash CD player. The only marks that look like they might be a part number are 37803.

[DeeCee]

not really - opening up the dash will let you know exactly what unit you have and the exact information you can then pass on to those interface suppliers.

Toyotas are easy to open up in terms of dash. If anything, find a friend who is knowledgeable about stereos or playing around in cars to help you open up the dash to access the headunit.

You'd still have to open up the dash to add the unit, so think of it as practice.

Go off to a retailer such as Botany Auto Sound and Security or Hotwire and talk with them and discuss the options of adding ipod/mp3 capability.

Anyway you look at it, you will pay to get what you desire. There is no "cheaper" option. If you intend to have the car for a while, invest and get it done properly through a place like Botany Auto Sound and be assured that it has been one professionally and is work that is backed up.

[benek]

Thanks for the advice DeeCee.

Go off to a retailer such as Botany Auto Sound and Security or Hotwire and talk with them and discuss the options of adding ipod/mp3 capability.

I have called many places about this, and they've all said that it can't be done on a factory stereo and they want me to buy a new head unit. I know this isn't true, because when I was in the states this was commonplace. So I don't know if the people I'm talking to are simply not aware of devices like the PIE unit because they are not sold here. Or maybe they are aware but they'd rather just get a sale on the new stereo unit?

[DeeCee]

In the states it is becoming more commonplace because more manufacturers are incorporating the factory systems into cars with the headunit directly interfaced with AC and security systems of the vehicle. As such, the unit is basically a closed loop unless access is gained through the changer interface as these other devices do.

To integrate anything into the closed loop without knowing the exact specifics of the factory radio would be overly time consuming and ultimately only applicable to the one stereo and imagine the mutlitudes of different OEM stereos in cars. Its just a nightmare to be honest. The amount of work to be done to integrate one portable device into the car after research, parts finding and final installation isn't worth the time in the end, esp. in NZ where target market for aftermarket in car audio equipment is low.

Retailers would be keen to push a newer unit on you to yes, make a sale, but to dcerease the amount of work that is required to get you up and running with an interfaced device.

So your options are then the interface that you have found and install yourself, get a modulator or to get one of the devices i pointed towards previously.

Personally if you are on a budget then i'd get a modulator. Saves having to import the interface and waiting for shipping time. Also, you wouldn't have to open up the dash (doesn't sound like you are confident in doing that) and would save you time.

If you were truly into sound quality then you would have already binned the factory unit in favour for a better unit and better equipment in general. The realisation that you get out what you get in applys greatly to MP3 devices, in the fact that unless your music is encoded to 192kbps VBR and above, you really aren't going to notice a great difference between lower kbps encoded MP3s and compressed radio.

Go the FM modulator. fastest and easiest route unless you want the specific interface and are willing to take the time to do the work yourself and find out which wire does which and what the change pin config is (i read in a foreign language that is pins 18/19/20? link

choice is yours.

[benek]

Thanks again for the advice.

My initial thought was that this would be easier because of my experience with it in the states. However, it seems like it might be too much work for me right now.

My mp3s are 192kbps. I have used FM modulators in the past and have been very dissapointed with sound quality.

Until I have the time and money for an entirly new stereo, I may just have to burn a bunch of CDs to use in the car for now.

[DeeCee]

are you from the states or know people over there? If so then get them to get one of those items and send it over as a gift. Then install it and be happy with the knowledge that you are one of the few in NZ to have a factory system pumping out your portable sounds.

Seriously, its not that hard to take apart the dash and figure out what unit you have. From there its an easy step to contact the manufacturers of the interface device and then its just a matter of plug and play to get it working.

Go for it i reckon.

[benek]

I am originally from the states so getting one of those sent over would not be difficult.

If I had some direction for taking apart the dash I think I'd feel confident enough to do it. Do you know if there is anything like that on toyspeed or other forums? A step by step list of how to remove the factory stereo?

Then all it takes would be verifying with PIE that their device is compatible. So I guess the hold-up for me is just having to take the dash apart to get info about the stereo knowing that there's a good chance their device may not be compatible and it was all for nothing.

But yeah, I'd love to go for it. After having a similar setup in my old car, it's hard to get used to going back to CDs!

[DeeCee]

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c25/n ... G_9467.jpg

^^ this your the way your dash looks with the headunit in place?
if so then its real simple to get it out.

let me know and i'll move on to the next step

[benek]

Mine looks a bit different. Girlfriend has the car today but I'll get a picture for you this evening.

[DeeCee]

all good

[benek]

Here's what mine looks like

[DeeCee]

bloody picture nazis..

Its the same unit BTW.. you just have a different radio but the dash piece is the same.

hmm- may have to get to a friends corolla and get you some specific pictures.. hopefully they are in wellington working instead of travelling round NZ..

basically that piece with the vents just clips in with some retention clips.
all you have to do is get a flat blade screw driver and gently pry underneath the trim piece and pop the dash fascia out.



this is a photo of whatis behind. The screw holes are where the retention clips pop into - so you know where to focus your prying

anyway - you shold be able to easily get to the headunit from heere on in

[benek]

do i need to pop out the air vents before prying off the the rest?

once that's all off, is the stereo just held in by screws?

[DeeCee]

nope - the vents and the fascia are one piece so all come off in one unit.

and then yes, the headuit is just held in by screws