Hello!

I have a GP with a HU that does not read MP3 and does not support an AUX input. I already tried, took it out, saw the diagram, made the cable... it just doesn't give the AUX option, it must be the most basic HU.
I want to keep my steering wheel controls and I want an aux input with good quality. I already tried one of those fm transmitters but sound quality is just terrible.

I saw this today on a car shop:


This is a FM modulator that connects straight in the back of the HU's antenna input. So it kinda' goes between the HU and the antenna. I presume it will deliver better quality than the standard fm transmitters, 'radio-like' quality.

Has anyone ever seen/heard one of this in action? Is it any good?

I though I'd ask here first before going through the trouble of spending money (almost 50 Euro!) and time installing it only to realize it's the same as the fm transmitters.

One more question, if I was to buy this and install it, where can I (easily) get 12v? I know the cigarette lighter is one option but that only works when the car is on, I'd like a source that's is on even if the car is off.

Any advice is much appreciated!

Thanks!

I've never seen one. Could they not get it fired up in the shop?

As for power you could come straight from the battery. Depending on how much power it pulls you may be able to tap straight into the head units power.

volxstu said:

Could they not get it fired up in the shop?

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Unlikely. I asked if they've ever seen it work or if they would install it and the answer was no... And it's a sealed package, I don't think they'll be happy to open it...

volxstu said:

As for power you could come straight from the battery. Depending on how much power it pulls you may be able to tap straight into the head units power.

Click to expand...

I wouldn't think it consumes that much, straight into the HU's power could work...

Hopefully someone who has seen it work will stumble upon this thread and tell us whether it delivers good sound quality or not....

To me that looks a bit like the adaptor you got with the old PS1's to hook it up to the tv aerial input which you then tuned the tv in to the PS1 'channel' and saved it.

I did a lot of googleing and couldn't find a good review on this. But saw this on a Astra Owners forum thread which suggests this fm modulators deliver pretty good sound.
I might go for the stab during the weekend and buy/install this... I hope someone reads this before that and let me know if it is a good or a bad option.

I wouldnt trust anything on the heresay of that pillock TBH.

Well I bought this device and installed it yesterday, an I have to say, I'm happy enough with it. Faaaar better than a standard fm transmitter. This is as good as one of those audio cassette thingys.

This is a good solution for someone who wants to connect an mp3 player and has a HU with no aux input capabilities.

So if you take out the HU and it has this diagram:

Then it means you probably have no way of adding an aux input to the back of the HU. Try pressing the source button, most likely it will never go to aux mode.

At the end I took the power source from the cigarette lighter. Very easy to install. The easiest way is to remove the glove compartment and the lower plastic side on the right of the passenger's feet. Then you can stick your hand up under the center console to flick the gear stick cover loose and then unplug the cigarette lighter cable and work from there. And of course you need to take out the HU to connect the aerial.

Oh yes, I had to by to aerial adapters, one ISO to DIN and one DIN to ISO. Got these from Maplins.

Hello Lunatico,

Thank you so much for this guide!

I just bought an entry model Fiat 500, and my stereo has the same problem as yours. Even thought the diagram on the stereo indicates 'Aux 2' I have tried the plugs both on the left and the right (equivalent to the blue and yello ISO connectors) however pressing the CD button does not show an 'aux' option.

I have considered that the aux function this may need to be 'activated' by the dealership, however I figured that playing my MP3 device through something like you have would be cheaper, just as effective, and removes the need for another wire getting in the way to plug into MP3 device.

I do have a question about the power wiring. I have no knowledge about electronics, and wondered how you wired it to your cigarette lighter power plug?

Once you did that, were you still able to use the plug for other in car devices such as sat nav and mobile phone charger?

Also what did you need to buy those extra cables from maplin for?

Finally what brand was the FM modulator, and how much did you pay?

I'd be very grateful to hear back from you.

Thanks!

Hi,

I don't have my Fiat anymore but I'll try to help in what I can.

Tmo said:

I do have a question about the power wiring. I have no knowledge about electronics, and wondered how you wired it to your cigarette lighter power plug?

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Well I used the cigarette lighter because they normally have a high amp fuse so there's no change of blowing the fuse with a device, and these devices don't draw much power anyway, they're like 0.5 amp tops.
I just pulled it out to get access to the cables, peeled them off and connected the device to it, matching positive and negative. Tape them good and wires go hidden inside up to the HU.

Tmo said:

Once you did that, were you still able to use the plug for other in car devices such as sat nav and mobile phone charger?

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Yes, absolutely! For peace of mind you can check how much it can hold. The car's user manual will tell you, look at the fuse section, locate the fuse for the lighter and see how many amps it is. Let's say the fuse is 12amps and the audio modulator is 1amp, you still can connect an 11amp device.

Tmo said:

Also what did you need to buy those extra cables from maplin for?

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It was just an adapter for the antenna.... the one on the back of the HU and the car's antenna cable did not match the plugs on the audio modulator. They used different standards. Like the difference between an Italian power lead to a UK one, you need an adapter.
Might not be the case with you, you'll know once you're there.

Tmo said:

Finally what brand was the FM modulator, and how much did you pay?

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See the picture on the first post, that's the one. I can't remeber exactly, it was something like 40 euro I think....

Thank you so much for getting back to me and explaining everything!
I have obsessed and spent hours researching on how to get around this aux problem, I shall give this a shot. Thanks again! :worship: