Aux-Box with 05 non-JBL Prius

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(westofrome @ Apr 5 2006, 11:30 AM) [snapback]235271[/snapback]</div>

Hope to install mine this Friday…should plug simply into the open “changer†plug in the back of head unit. The unit can be reached by pulling the right ac vent…

http://www.cardomain.com/item/PACAUXBOX with prius interface

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(westofrome @ Apr 11 2006, 12:38 PM) [snapback]238041[/snapback]</div>

I called PAC an they said that it works with some Prius models and not with others so they just don't list it. I got one for my 05 with JBL and Nav. While the AUX input works now, the factory integrated changer built into the head unit does not while the AUX-box is plugged in. It stays on the AUX mode but the audio display does not switch to anything. Its not a perfect solution but it does work for me for now. I'll probably upgrade to the Soudgate solution if they offer a group buy.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(yakky @ Apr 11 2006, 01:50 PM) [snapback]238082[/snapback]</div>

The cardomain thing did not work...looking for the round 3 vias group buy.

 

The auxbox does not play nice with the 6-disk in-dash changer on the JBL models. The auxbox presents itself as a multi-disk changer when it anounces itself to the AV network. The Prius cannot understand more then one multi-disk changer at once. Lucky for you, the non-JBL system has a single disk changer, which is a completly different thing as far as the Prius is concerned. The auxbox is reported to work perfictly with non-JBL Prii.



yakky,

It is possible to use the 6-disk changer while the auxbox is plugged in, though not very well. Start with the cd-changer selected, which would be the auxbox here. Power cycle the car. The six-disk should now be active, but only untill you press any audio selection button. The changer will not be available again untill another power cycle.

 

Does the aux-box plug into the same port that the factory XM radio would?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(benighted @ Apr 14 2006, 11:42 PM) [snapback]240029[/snapback]</div>

I think so, unless the XM replaces a plug that is already there. I only remember one empty port back there, which the auxbox used. If you want to do XM and aux-in together, the Vais solution would seem to be the one to use.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(westofrome @ Apr 5 2006, 11:30 AM) [snapback]235271[/snapback]</div>

I almost forgot about tht part of the question. I'm using the Vais input now, but I first used the auxbox, and both take RCA left-right audio plugs, so this part can be the same. I mounted the box just behind the glove box. From there, I ran RCA audio cables down behind the dash and under the carpet to the center console. Inside the cosole, on the surface just behind the cupholder, above the little ledge about halfway down, I cut (and almost cried for it ) a hole into the plastic. I had found an inverter kit that came with a nice black plastic port for a power plug, left and right audio and video. Its really just a pass-through, so you just plug RCA cords on the front and back to connect things. After spending a while carefully adusting the size of the hole, the port clicked onto place rather satisfactorly. I had to use some right-angle adapters on the back to connect the cables from the auxbox bacause of the really tight space between the wall and the cupholders. The port looks like it belongs there. Passengers who don't know ask if came that way from the factory and are suprised when I say I put it there. I find it very usable there, as I can keep an mp3 player in the console, or lay it on the passenger seat. The console's lid has enough clearance to allow an audio cord to pass out of the console. As a bonus, the little inverter fit very neatly in the drawer under the console, so now I have 120V power in the console as well. I did have to cut a hole in the back of the drawer to keep it from interfereing with the audio and power cords, but you would have to disasemble the console and take the drawer out to see. I bought the inverter and port kit at Fry's electronincs, for around $30, I think. I would expect Radio Shack or like stores would sell a port like that on its own. This was a reasonably easy DIY, with no blood spilt, but pulling the cables under the carpet was the worst. It took about an hour and a half pocking around with a coat hanger untill I found a usable path through.

 

My aux box did not work and cardomain told me to return it...what am i missing. Cardomain said they called the manufacturer and it will not work. I never actually got to test it as the wire harness they gave me as it did not plug into my headunit...I never bothered to get the y connector as cardomain said this would not work. I even sent them the "Stereo_20Accessory_20Install_20Guide__2004_20Prius__20v1.03" with the y connector description.
???

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aolm @ Apr 15 2006, 09:01 PM) [snapback]240323[/snapback]</div>

Actually, that Y-connecter is exactly what you need. It uses the regular Toyota auxbox cable in addition to the y cable. The Y will plug into the head unit.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hawkjm73 @ Apr 16 2006, 02:03 PM) [snapback]240534[/snapback]</div>

Why not....I just ordered it from...Discount Car Stereo...fingers crossed

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aolm @ Apr 16 2006, 03:50 PM) [snapback]240552[/snapback]</div>

Just so you know, one female end of the y-cable gets left hanging. I think its supposed to allow daisy chaining more devices, but I don't think anyone's tried it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hawkjm73 @ Apr 18 2006, 09:52 AM) [snapback]241434[/snapback]</div>

That is huge...i was wondering...i assume i am connecting to the small open port on the back of the headunit and not disconnecting anything that is already plugged in.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aolm @ Apr 18 2006, 04:32 PM) [snapback]241671[/snapback]</div>

Yup. The male end of the non-y-cable goes to the auxbox, the big male plug of the y-cable goes to the female end of the non-y-cable, the small male end of the y-cable goes to the little empty port, and the female end of the y-cable does nothing. I would tape it down to something so it dosen't rattle.

 

I have had the AUX-Box on my 05 Prius for 6mos now and it works perfectly. It does require both cables as mentioned before. We didn't buy the factory changer so the input was open for the Y cable to plug right in. I used the directions posted elsewhere here to pull out factory head unit out to access the input as I couldn't get my hand in there. It only took about 1hr to do it myself and could do it in half the time now. There are some great directions posted on here for pulling the dash apart.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(westofrome @ Apr 19 2006, 01:32 PM) [snapback]242150[/snapback]</div>

BRILLIANT...it works with the y connector...I have my Sirius "visor" unit in the mini box below the head unit. I made a small hole in the back of the box for all my wires. I just close the translucent panel and it looks factory. I can use my remote to the sirus visor through the translucent door. The ¼ plug from the auxbox goes into my visor and I can pull it out and plug it into my ipod as well. I have very upgraded speakers and it sounds very clear with full range frequency response, no hiss or ground loop issues. No need for the 299.00 vias box. Especially for me as the vias box can’t truly emulate the ipod interface or work with Sirius. No more CD’s rolling round my car either. I just got the 30gig vidpod.

ps. don't pull the headunit. just pull the right vent and unscrew the large white wire harness to the right of the headunit to move it out of the way enough to plug in the y connector. 5 mins.

Thanks

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aolm @ Apr 19 2006, 11:43 PM) [snapback]242476[/snapback]</div>

You might want to consider covering the part of the door not used by the remote. When the lighting is just right, you can see everything in the little compartment, maybe leading to a Sirus growing legs.

Congratulations on great sound!

 

I should tell the folks at cardomain that their auxbox works with the prius. Don't know why they don't get the y connector thing.