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GROM AUX in '05 with Nav + 6-CD + cassette

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by Imposter, Apr 20, 2010.

  1. Imposter

    Imposter Junior Member

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    2005 Prius
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    I have an '05 Prius with package 6: Nav, cassette, and 6-disc player. I am trying to add an AUX input. I don't need USB or iPod control.

    Grom audio claims their "grom aux" works in all 05s, but so far I have nothing. I have installed it in the open (CD changer?) port in the head unit, but I can't figure out how to switch to it. Pressing AM or FM (or Mode on the steering wheel) cycles through those modes only, and the Tape/Disc button only brings up a message telling me I have no tape in.

    Does anyone have either (1) any experience with this adapter in this setup -- how did you get it to work?, or (2) suggestions for getting the head unit to recognize and switch to the attached device? I have an email out to Grom's tech support. If they tell me I need the USB version, can anyone testify that it will work in this setup?

    Thanks in advance.

    -Imp
     
    #1 Imposter, Apr 20, 2010
  2. Imposter

    Imposter Junior Member

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    Grom's tech support said to send it back and offered a small discount on the USB upgrade. Still, kinda wish I hadn't taken the whole car apart for a device they falsely claim works in my car.

    -Imp
     
    #2 Imposter, Apr 21, 2010
  3. sktn77a

    sktn77a Member

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    According to Dice, their Ipod adapter is compatible with your system. You can get them at Buy.Com for $99. The Dice/Ipod shows up as CD changer 2 when you cycle through the sources (your 6 disc CD changer shows up as CD Changer 1).
     
    #3 sktn77a, Apr 21, 2010
  4. Imposter

    Imposter Junior Member

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    Thanks, but I'm not interested in Apple compatibility. The Grom idea is growing on me. Besides the aux for my mp3 player, I may be tempted to throw an old hard drive into a USB case and stash it in the car. For instant access to all my music through the steering wheel or touchscreen, it may be worth the effort.

    -Imp
     
    #4 Imposter, Apr 21, 2010
  5. Armature

    Armature New Member

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    I have exactly the same car as yours...same options, etc. I installed the GROM USB unit and it works perfectly. Just as described in the manual.

    Sound quality is fantastic.
     
    #5 Armature, Apr 22, 2010
  6. Imposter

    Imposter Junior Member

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    Thanks for the endorsement. It will be almost a month before I can try it out, but I'm now looking forward to the USB option as well.

    I'm thinking of mounting the box behind or under the radio and running the cables into the lower storage bin through a drilled hole. How/where did you mount yours?
     
    #6 Imposter, Apr 22, 2010
  7. sktn77a

    sktn77a Member

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    Well, the Grom isn't working for you and you don't have many options. The Dice has a regular Aux input as well as the ipod input. The only other alternative (unless you like FM modulators) is to buy a used late model radio of e-bay that accepts the Aux input cable.
     
    #7 sktn77a, Apr 23, 2010
  8. tmorrowus

    tmorrowus Member

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    I just experienced a strange situation where my GROM USB that I had installed for a few months stopped working in my 2004 Prius with Nav; it was as if it was not installed at all. Apparently it was a connection problem; unplugging and then replugging everything solved the issue.

    When it wasn't working the system reported the built in changer as "CD Changer", but after it was installed and the car was restarted the built in changer appears as CD1 and the Grom appears as CD2.

    The instructions in the GROM manual for changing sources don't work for me, but what does work is to simply press the Disk button which that rotates between CD1 (built in) and CD2 (Grom), then wait for the voice and press track up to switch between USB, AUX, and ipod source based on the grom synthesized voice.
     
    #8 tmorrowus, May 3, 2010
  9. tmorrowus

    tmorrowus Member

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    Do make sure to restart the car; that solved issues where it looked like the GROM wasn't working for me.

    Also, try and install in back of the stereo to make service easy rather than under the MFD which requires more disassembly to access. The advantage of the USB unit is that it's flash ugradeable, and GROM is still working actively making software tweaks.
     
    #9 tmorrowus, May 3, 2010
  10. Armature

    Armature New Member

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    It does work, if you follow GROM's instructions exactly: Be sure you're on CD2 (the GROM) change to a completely different source like FM Radio, then back to CD2 within 5 seconds. You'll hear a voice announcement of where you are ("USB", "iPod" or "Aux"). Use the scan UP/Down button on the radio to change and, once again do this within 5 seconds. The timing is important.

    You have to use a different button on the radio face to do this. Changing between CD1 and CD2 won't work.
     
    #10 Armature, May 6, 2010
  11. Armature

    Armature New Member

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    Right. Turning the car off and back on solves most problems. For others, turn the car off, disconnect the unit from the harness, wait a few seconds before reconnecting the harness, then turn the car back on.
     
    #11 Armature, May 6, 2010
  12. Imposter

    Imposter Junior Member

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    Well, I've got the new unit installed, and it works great... for AUX. I'm having no luck getting the USB function to work. I formatted a 60GB drive and put all my music into 6 folders, named like "1-Elvis_Costello-Sheryl_Crow" (starting with a number, no spaces). Each root folder has a bunch of nested folders by artist, and each of those has folders for each album. Then the tracks, which are named thusly "7 - Tears Dry on Their Own - 2007 - Pop.mp3" I've tried using a 2GB flash drive and two hard drives, one 20GB and one 60GB (formatted as one large volume and also formatted as a 32 GB volume), all formatted in FAT32. I never got anything to play. If I press any Disc button on the display, it just highlights the first Disc. And my firmware version is 51, per the Track display when I have no USB drive attached.

    Suggestions? Help? I feel like I've tried everything.

    -Imp

    EDIT/update:
    I got it to work by pulling the fuse (#39 at the engine). I did not want to take apart my dashboard to unplug it in the hopes that it would correct the problem, but this did it. Tip to anyone else who pulls the fuse: write down your radio presets first. In this day and age, the radio still doesn't store presets in a solid state system.

    One remaining issue: I have six root folders on my drive. I would like to play the entire drive randomly, but pressing the Random button always also selects the Disc Random. Is that a Toyota issue or might Grom be able to enable multi-root-folder random play in a firmware update?
     
    #12 Imposter, May 26, 2010
  13. Armature

    Armature New Member

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    I don't use Random much, but I suspect this is a GROM thing. I previously had a VAIS AIC-100i (their first model) and replaced it with the GROM unit after the VAIS iPod cable quit functioning due to broken wires. Random on the VAIS unit worked entirely differently.

    I do know this, though: GROM tech support is very responsive! Just go to their website and click on "support". Fill out the form asking your question, and click "Submit". They have always replied by the next morning and often the same day. They are genuinely helpful!
     
    #13 Armature, Jun 2, 2010
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