capricefrk013
Toy Hauler
Figured I would Post this here cause of the type of radio used in our trucks.
Add AUX Input To Stock Radio
Add AUX Input To Stock Radio
Jason Novak said:I've finally decided to switch my 98 Camaro CD unit out for an aftermarket HU, and now I'd like to move it into my Grand Am. Since I don't have to worry about killing it now, I've decided to take it part and try to add an aux input (which isn't even possible with adapters in a 98). I've done something similar to an old head unit before, here's what I've found so far.
The amp seems to be on the main board board, so there isn't an easy way to tap in there like there was on my old head unit. No easy route from the radio, either. However, the CD player is a self-contained unit with a ribbon cable, so audio must be passing over it.
Here's a picture of the bottom of the CD player, with the CD connector circled:
You must be registered for see images attach
Now, here's a closeup of the connector. I tapped in a couple of leads to a set of powered speakers to locate the wires carrying sound. I've labeled the left and right channels. It appears that some later models may have a connector with more pins, but the 1st and 3rd pins are still correct. Use the metal stereo chassis as a ground.
You must be registered for see images attach
So it's just a simple matter of splicing into those three wires with a special jack. This will allow the CD audio to pass through the jack fine when nothing is plugged in. When you plug in a cable into it from your MP3 player or whatever, it physically disconnects the audio to the CD player, and instead passes along the signal from your cable. You will need to have your CD player playing for this to work, even though it's using audio from your MP3 player. I know some of the aftermarket adapters that plug in between the HU and the cd changer work the same way, the changer plays, but it replaces the audio.
A quick search of radio shack.com returns the 274-246 for $2.99
jack
However, unlike the old HU I modified, I don't think you can easily put a jack into the face of this head unit, since there is a circuit board running behind plate. You can't just drill a hole and stick it through. See here:
You must be registered for see images attach
So I think the solution would be to run a 6ft+ wire through the back of the HU with a jack at the end you could run into glove box or into the console. The panel mount jack from radio shack isn't really the best for that, but it would work. I'm sure one of the big online electronics suppliers have something better.
So for a couple of bucks and fairly basic electronics knowledge, splicing into three wires, you should be able to an an aux-input to any 98+ camaro HU.
What do you guys think?
Jason Novak said:Ok, I've completed this project and it works great. Although I put the jack directly into the faceplate, I'd recommend against it since it's hard to find space to install it that can be used once the stereo is installed.
The switch is radio shack part #274-246 for $2.99 link
I recommend using a piece of networking/cat5 for the wiring. I had planned to have use solid colors as circuit board connections, but switched two when I was soldering so you may want to ignore the colors. Here's a picture of the jack soldered up
You must be registered for see images attach
Here are the details on the connections:
You must be registered for see images attach
Pin 1 - Ground - connect to the stereo chassis
Pin 2 - Left Channel - wire from CD connector on main circuit board
Pin 3 - Left Channel - wire coming from CD player module
Pin 4 - Right Channel - wire coming from CD player module
Pin 5 - Right Channel - wire from CD connector on main circuit board
Here is the jack wired into the CD connector. Note my wires run into the face, you'll probably drill a hole in the back of the case and run the wire out there.
Soldered everything and taped it.
You must be registered for see images attach