iPod adaptor installation on Mazda6

[CLLee]

Thought I'll put this up again after the crash:

Bought the iPod adaptor through a group-by organised by Doddsy in May 2006.


It connects the iPod directly to the car's head unit stereo through the CD-changer port at the back. Features:
1) Direct line-in, play iPod through car's stereo
2) Charges the iPod
3) Allows for control of the iPod through car's stereo and steering wheel
4) Allows full control from iPod itself

For facelift Mazda6/MPS6 models, all you have to do is:
1) Remove the glove box
2) Locate the CD-Changer port at the back of the stereo unit
3) Plug it in
4) Run the cable into the glovebox, or anywhere you want to store your iPod

For earlier models (like my 2005), you might need to do a short circuit on the stereo's main circuit board to enable the CD-Changer port... big hassle!
Try the above first to see if it works before taking everything apart.
Detail instruction on How-To remove Headunit can be found here:
http://mazda6tech.com/index.php?opti...d=36&Itemid=49

YOU DO NOT NEED TO DO THIS WITH THE FACELIFT MODEL MAZDA6 AND MPS6

Simplified:
1) Remove Gear knob (anti-clock-wise)
2) Remove the cup-holder (this is infact the most difficult part, almost broke all my fingers and I’m a pianist).
3) Pull up the gear-shift cover + ashtray and move to one side. Careful not to rib off the cables underneath.
4) Remove the cigarette lighter bulb (with a plier – carefully), and the cigarette lighter power source (it’s clip on)
5) Immediately behind where the ashtray was there are 2 screws holding the console into place. Remove those.


6) Now you need to move on to the glovebox. It needs to be removed because there's a single screw behind the console that needs to be removed.


7) Before removing the HU, cover the gear-shifter rod to prevent it from scratching your HU.
8) Now, pull out the HU from bottom.


9) Unclip all the cables


10) Remove the HU and put it on a soft clean surface:


11) The following are diagrams from the Mazda6 Workshop manual, showing the structure of the Stereo


12) After disassembling the stereo unit, locate L716 and short circuit it by dropping a solder between the 2 points. Please be very very careful. I practised for a number of times on an old graphics card b4 proceeding to the real thing. Oh… I’ve never solder anything b4. Scary…



13) Put the whole unit back together, and push the HU back into place.

14) Plug the iPod adaptor cable into the CD-changer port at the back


15) For my installation, I decided to run it to the cup holder. Run the wire behind the centre console to under the cup-holder. Tape the main unit securely to avoid rattling.


16) Put the ashtray and gear-shifter cover back. Run the iPod adaptor cable with the dock connector bit through the cup holder. Put the cup-holder back.


17) Finish… LCD Display

[RED3VIL]

Thanks alot mate
Its certainly helping the site back to to level we need
Stickied :D

That is so insane....but so cool as well!

I've been trying forever to get the ipod in my Car. We called the dealership today and they said that they will be finish building the official ipod connections in December and it'd cost around $200 and $200 to install.

I went to N-tunes(an audio store) in my area and they said they don't have the parts but I am going to take the print out of this to them and see if they can do it... A few questions tho...

Does this work with the 2007 Mazda6i?

Where can I buy it? The link on the picture isn't working...

How much is it?

[CLLee]

It should work on the 2007 model. Basically, I think the stock stereo unit is the same across the range. This same unit work for both the Bose and non-Bose stereo.

The advantage for 2007 model is that you DO NOT need to do the short circuit. JUST PLUG AND PLAY.

The unit was from a supplier who also sell on eBay. Doddsy (OMC member)stocks them, but seems to have disappeared recently.

Oh... I'm 100% sure Mazda has an iPod adaptor available. Go to another dealer.
http://www.mazda.com.au/accessories_...eSize=7&page=2

thanks so much for the help. I'm from the US, is it ok that i'm here? Anyway tho I looked at the US site and they had it for 149!! I'm going to buy it from the Mazda site and get it installed. Thanks again!!

[CLLee]

Sorry mate, I'm not familiar with the US spec Mazda6.

Good luck with purchase

[rustycaps]

I have an 03 MY (complianced 04) Mazda6 with this unit plugged in (USB version) and it reads the USB stick, but doesn't switch to EX on the HU display.
What would be the best advice to solve this problem?

[CLLee]

how do you know it reads the USB? Does it display anything on the LCD?
If pressing the CD button doesn't toggle the display between CD and EX, you'll probably need to do what I did above....

2004 Mazda6 has the CD Exchange port disabled. Why, I donno...
Your adapter is working, but the signal can't get through to the HU. You might need to hot wire L716.

[rustycaps]

There's a light on the USB stick which flashes when being read. Will have to take it somewhere to get done properly, and while I'm at it, get the cig lighter rewired to the top section of the dash (that bit with the lid).

[CLLee]

Originally Posted by rustycaps

Will have to take it somewhere to get done properly, and while I'm at it, get the cig lighter rewired to the top section of the dash (that bit with the lid).

I did that too... and now my Tomtom sits in the compartment.

Wiring GPS to Centre Dash Storage: Mazda6 ONLY

[rustycaps]

Well..... I was supposed to be getting it done this morning, but the audio place I took it to doesn't do the internals of the head unit (the guy isn't qualified to do it in case something goes wrong). At the moment I have the unit attached to the side of the glovebox, where it will likely stay, but I am after a rough idea of how much is involved in the removal/solder of the unit, as well as doing the cig extension time wise - seeing as you have done both, I figured this was the best place to ask, or should I have PM'd?

[Kikuchi]

I'm going to give it a try tomorrow, so I'll report back after I do it.

[rustycaps]

Just to clarify my last post.
I have the USB version of the Xcarlink, and I have the 04, which needs the solder mod. It would be working now if it didn't need the mod, as I have it plugged in via the glove box anyway.

[CLLee]

Originally Posted by rustycaps

... but I am after a rough idea of how much is involved in the removal/solder of the unit, as well as doing the cig extension time wise - seeing as you have done both, I figured this was the best place to ask, or should I have PM'd?

The ipod adaptor took 5 hours to install. It was the first time I took the HU apart, so was doing it very very very carefully. I had no previous soldering experience, so I spent an hour practising on an old video card.

The cig extension took about 1 hour...

I have to say, it's bloody scary doing the soldering, esp if you've never done it.
If you're gonna DIY, make sure you line up the screws properly as you take the internal of the HU apart. OH... make sure you cover the shifter. Otherwise it'll make a big scratch on your HU faceplate.

Good Luck!!!

[s65481]

with the soldering,

can u still use the cd player after this is done, incase i want to listen to a cd for a change?

im thinking not as i did electrotechnology in high school

[CLLee]

I can still use my CD player/changer... the entire stereo functions as normal. Not a single problem for over 2 years now.

[billinator]

I have a 2004 Mazda 6 with Bose stereo. The CD changer is broken. It is being replaced on warranty. I would like to take this opportunity to have an ipod installed directly into the system. I have read here and elsewhere that some kind of modification to the circuit board is required for the 2004s:

"NOTE: 2004 Mazda 6 head units require a small modification to the circuit board in order to enable use of the external CD changer port. This was not an issue in 2003 and was resolved for the 2005 model year. If you have a 2004 Mazda 6 and would like to know exactly what is required, the modification is detailed on this site: HU Modification (L716) -- To summarize, there is a location on the circuit labeled L716. This location must be jumpered in order for the external CD changer port to function. Placing a tiny bead of solder across the two leads is all that is required."

Since my CD player is broken will I get be getting a new head unit? Is it possible that they have fixed this problem for the replacement units?

Can someone help? As you can surely tell, I don't know anything.

[CLLee]

Hi, welcome to Oz forum...

I'm not 100% sure about this...
When I removed mine, the CD changer unit (see diagram: #3:Upper module) is seperate from the main audio unit (#8: Base unit).


L716 is located in the Base Unit...
My guess is that, changing just the CD changer unit won't help.
However, if your entire audio unit is replaced... then it might work.

Any chance of asking the techicians/shop who's doing the replacement?

[SaKaI]

i am concidering buying one of these for my 2002 6, but before i spend the money, i want to know that it will definatly work in my car. when i bought the car (8 months ago) the dealership (McPherson Mazda Shepparton) told me it was fine, and charged me $400 for it. when i picked the car up, i found that they had installed a VERY expensive FM transmitter. not happy jan! i made it quite clear to the guy i was dealing with that i did not want an FM transmitter, as i have tried many of them and have never been happy with the audio quality, and thats why i was willing to pay $400 for a direct connection. it took some fighting, but i did eventually manage to get it taken out and getting a full refund. after that i did look into putting an aftermarket head unit that has integrated ipod support, but after finding out the facia kit cost $400, i decided to give it a miss, and gave up, happy to put up with using 6 CDs in the changer.

so if anyone can tell me that i can use these xcarlinks in my car, i will buy one. i have no problem soldering any parts inside the head unit, i do consider myself fairly skilled with a soldering iron.