i have an mp3 player that I want to be able to just use a tape adapter with, but for watever reason it won't work. I have the same problem in my new explorer. Is there a setting on the radio I need to select in order to use the mp3 player. I have a feeling that it has to do with the fact that both these new tape players are able to play both sides of the tape without taking it out. In both my 2K2 explorer and 2K1 Audi A4 the tape player keeps trying to figure out which side of the tape to play with the adapter in. What can I do? I dont care enough to wire the mp3 player in - maybe in a little while I'll replace the whole head unit, but right now I don't have the money. Thanks.

there is this product : www.mp3yourcar.com

From what I can tell it plugs in where the cd changer would plug into the harness.

I want to do a similar thing for my sirius hookup, the fm transmitter is useless and the tape adapter solution is horrible horrible quality.

Does anyone have the wiring diagram for the stereo?? I'm no electronics expert but I'm assuming that if I can get the headunit to 'think' there is a cd changer attached (close a circuit?) and feed the line out from the sirius unit into the cd changer line input I might be able to get something to work.

Any advice oh audi experts?

oh and as for your tape adapter problem, get a new better one.

The headunits in our cars are not so simple. Search for something called the Blitzsafe Adapter.
It plugs into the where our cd changer would normally plug into.

what about a non-ipod mp3 player....I want to wire my mp3 player into the car that is not an ipod....i have everything to convert it to left right channels (rca connectors). Is there anyway to hook this up into a 96-98 audi a4...what about if i want to keep my cd changer?

what about a non-ipod mp3 player....I want to wire my mp3 player into the car that is not an ipod....i have everything to convert it to left right channels (rca connectors). Is there anyway to hook this up into a 96-98 audi a4...what about if i want to keep my cd changer

YES! I have the same exact question. I own the wonderful "Rio Karma" MP3 player (Ogg only, thank you) which has RCA outputs.
I've read a lot about hooking up an external audio source in the past few days and I seem to have found 2 solutions:


1) Use an adapter that will take the CD changer input but I in that case I would lose the CD, and I don't want that.


2) Use the blitzsafe thingy which is basically a splitter, but I'm not exactyl sure how that works. Has anyone here used it? Please explain.
( http://www.blitzsafe.com/blitz_catalog/blitz_aux/blitz_aux_list/blitz_audi/blitz_audi.html )
( http://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/msgs/218162.phtml )


Please advise!
Cheers,
-Gianluca.

ORIGINAL: Gianluca
YES! I have the same exact question. I own the wonderful "Rio Karma" MP3 player (Ogg only, thank you) which has RCA outputs.
I've read a lot about hooking up an external audio source in the past few days and I seem to have found 2 solutions:

1) Use an adapter that will take the CD changer input but I in that case I would lose the CD, and I don't want that.

2) Use the blitzsafe thingy which is basically a splitter, but I'm not exactyl sure how that works. Has anyone here used it? Please explain.
( http://www.blitzsafe.com/blitz_catalog/blitz_aux/blitz_aux_list/blitz_audi/blitz_audi.html )
( http://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/msgs/218162.phtml )

Please advise!
Cheers,
-Gianluca.


We will solve this one :-)

http://www.logjamelectronics.com/blitzaudiauxdmxv1b.html
according to that site the blitzsafe can not be used with the cd player that does not suprise me at all

but...this --> http://www.logjamelectronics.com/soundsds1.html
used with this --> http://www.logjamelectronics.com/soundockvwf.html
sounds like it would work awsome.....have you seen this? i just stubled across it and from my search so far this is the best thing I have found.

ialso found this --> http://www.logjamelectronics.com/pieaudpcknnsr.html
but it doesnt sound nearly as promising

read that, tell me what you think....does anyone have any experince with these products/brands?

**edit:
After searching for user reviews I was able to find this combo to save a few bux:
http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=649
http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=639

i have never used ether companys but they are cheaper ;-)

If you use this you have to remove the cable to your changer. They also make one that you can plug in to your changer cable in the back of your car

http://www.logjamelectronics.com/blitzaudiauxdmxv1b.html
according to that site the blitzsafe can not be used with the cd player that does not suprise me at all

You have to click the switches to change your audio inputs

but...this --> http://www.logjamelectronics.com/soundsds1.html
used with this --> http://www.logjamelectronics.com/soundockvwf.html
sounds like it would work awsome.....have you seen this? i just stubled across it and from my search so far this is the best thing I have found.

ialso found this --> http://www.logjamelectronics.com/pieaudpcknnsr.html
but it doesnt sound nearly as promising

I have seen the Blitzsafe used in a VW with an after market cd changer and it worked and sounded just fine.

I ordered the cheaper version of that switch kit. I will keep you posted on how the install goes and what happens with my media player. I was going to go to the dealer to have them remove the sterio so I can attach it. I will try to post pics.

That's great, jent!
Please keep us updated with what you do and (Yes!) pictures would be great!
Thanks,
-Gianluca.

Well, all the parts came in. I must say everything looks like it is going to fit really slick like. I have to take my radio into the dealership today so I can get my radio code (it is locked). My hope is that I will just have them pull out the unit. I can then take it home and try installing it. I have not desided where I am going to place the 3 position switch yet but I am open to ideas. I will try to take as many photos as possible but I might not be able to get any of the unit removal since it will be done at the dealership. I think I will end up mounting the media player itself in the glove box but who knows what will happen once I get in the car. Nothing really new to say, just stating that the parts came in and I have not forgot about you guys. Photos to come.

dude..its not that hard..i got mine to work on the first try..just flip the tape if theres a problem and press play.......

First everything although packaged poorly looked like in good condition, and did not look too hard to install. After reading the instructions for 2 min I relized this was going to be a lot harder than I hoped. Not being able to find anything online and only having very generic, and insturctions that were almost worthless made the task slightly harder (thus i am posting this DIY).

First I went down to Best Buy and had a nice fellow remove my stero for me.
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=6820&password=&sort=1&cat=500&page=1
The carfully drove the car back to the garage where it would sit till I finished the task.

I then hooked in the supplied wiring harness to the back of the radio removing the yellow/green/blue connector that went into the radio. I pluged that plug back into the wiring harness.
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=6821&password=&sort=1&cat=500&page=1
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=6822&password=&sort=1&cat=500&page=1
I then pluged in the box that has the dual inputs into the wiring harness and put it behind the radio (it is a tight fit but it will go back there). I fed through the wires for the dual inputs/power/ground to the drivers side.
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=6824&password=&sort=1&cat=500&page=1
I then fed the switch into the glove box with was harder than I had original thought it would have been. The only reason I put it into the glove box was I could not deside on a place to mount the switch. So I figured it would work there and I could always easliy move it.
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=6823&password=&sort=1&cat=500&page=1

The instructions said to have it connected to a SWITCHED 12v source. And since I could not find any 12v line that turns on when the car/radio is on I desided to just add a switch now just incase I need it. This switch was not the orginial switch but since the original switch desided not to work properly I had to use this cheap plastic switch.
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=6825&password=&sort=1&cat=500&page=1

(**note after using a multimeter and seeing what that switch does I think your battery will do fine without this switch unless your car will sit for months/years)

After disconecting the battery (make sure you know your radio code) I cut a major red 12v wire behind the plasict next to the drivers left foot. I then added in my 12v wire for the harnes and tined it and sealed.
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=6826&password=&sort=1&cat=500&page=1
There is also a ground but you don't have to cut anything. It is very obvious so I did not take any photos of it.

Here is where it starts getting easier. Now you need to attach all the wires, and run them to where you will be putting your media player.
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=6827&password=&sort=1&cat=500&page=1

this is more of a media player specific item. I wanted to have power while my media player was pluged in. So I ran another 12v line/ground to a plug like this:
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=6828&password=&sort=1&cat=500&page=1
The only issue I have here is that this will always have power. But it draws such a small current when the media player is not in it I desided to just leave it the way it is. I then hid this item under the drivers seat and finished routing my wires. Make sure your switches are secured, and all wires are out of the way of your feet and wont get in the way of driving.

When my player was all done it sat and looked like this: http://www.audizine.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=6829&password=&sort=1&cat=500&page=1
And when I use the remote and drive I can look like this:
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=6830&password=&sort=1&cat=500&page=1

It is a very safe way to use a media player and drive at the same time. It is all very sleak and integrated. You do have to switch the switch in the trunk OR the one by your feet to just kill its power to use the cd changer. I am very happy with how sleek and sexy the install was but at times it was very frustrating. I am intrested if anyone has suggestions.


credit where credit due: IMAGES HOSTED BY AUDIZINE....if they accept my DIY I will just change this post to link to that site. Sorry I needed somewhere to host the images. Enjoy

Dont they make a adapter wire to run out of the stock stereo system to plug in amplifiers in the back? I have a harness in the back of my avant that has positive and negative for the amps and a bunch of other wires, i believe there outputs for the amplifiers ill find out soon.

anyone knwo about this?