Tech article - Add an ipod input cable to the stock headunit

[subi_man]

For around $36 and 15mins of your install time, you can add an ipod input cable to your stock headunit.

Get your Mitsubishi dealer to order you the cable (part no: MZ360135EX "aux cable").

Once you have the cable in your hand, you're ready to install!


You need to remove the headunit, and possibly the plastic surround if the cables behind aren't long enough (like mine weren't). You can release the headunit by poking in a thin rod (like a nail or pop-rivet) into the 4 small holes on the front...


The plastic surround is held in with clips along the top, and one screw on the bottom RHS...


Remove the two connectors, earth cable and aerial from the rear of the headunit. The black, red & white wires from the ipod cable go in the back of the white 14-pin plug as per the instructions that come with it - they slot in and lock very easily.


I routed the cable into the glovebox, but you could bring it out under the ashtray if you want. I have since cut the cable and installed a 3.5mm headphone socket in the dash, so when not listening to the iPod, there is no cable floating around

Now carefully put it all back together and you are good to go!! Plug the cable to the headphone jack of your ipod and choose your songs normally. To listen to the ipod through the speakers, press and hold the CD button until AUX appears in the top dash display..


The volume on the ipod AND the headunit volume both work, so you will have to fine-tune both levels until you are happy...

ENJOY!!!

[mad992]

[Homer]

Just bookmarked this one...thanks again Subi.

[Mr.Billy]

I'm glad someone else has done this, I was told by the dealer that I will have to remove the plastic under the steering wheel with the bonnet release and fuel cap release also to be removed.
Have you got a photo of your headphone socket? that sounds like an excellent idea!

[Homer]

Jaycar have them Billy. They sit nearly flush with the dash and are just a small hole - you can barley see it.
You just need to cut off the male jack and solder the wires to the back of the socket before install - very simple - ask at the shop which coloured wires solder to which terminals on the socket as I forget now. The white is really the only important one to get right as the red and black are just speaker sides so if you get that wrong all that happens is if you adjust left and right balance it will be opposite.

PS my stereo was a bastard to get out. The nails or rivets have to be tapered on the end (which they normally are) and a reasonable thickness to push the locking thingy's enough to release.

[Peruano]

Awesome! Thanks for this. Another reason why I love this forum...

[Adz]

F'ing brilliant subi...the MoWF is always saying she wants to play her songs on her iPhone thru the stereo, yet another reason to stop her from driving it!!

Seriously tho dude, nice work!!

[Homer]

Yep one of the best $36 improvements I can think of - unlimited hrs of music without changing a CD - or buying a new stereo.

Edit: Subi also posted links to a generic ipod holder that suits most ipods/phones that doesn't need screwing or sticking to your dash - just slips in between the panels. I don't have the link off hand but worth a search.

[Adz]

Edit: Subi also posted links to a generic ipod holder that suits most ipods/phones that doesn't need screwing or sticking to your dash - just slips in between the panels. I don't have the link off hand but worth a search.

Maybe check this site >>CLICKY<<

[Homer]

That's the one mate. I knew you'd come to the rescue with the clicky thing

[Adz]

Shhhh, dont let it get around ok?

[boycee]

these can also be found on ebay. sorry clicky thing is too hard for my head to get around on a friday.

[apoll]

I think it might have been mentioned somewhere before but if you pull apart the analog audio cable from a CDROM drive (the cable that joins the drive to your sound card), you can use the little metal lugs. They click straight into the connection.

[RHKTriton]

Bugger!

Didn't even think to check to computer cable arsenal - have just ordered a strip of pins from JAYCAR.

One idea.

Put a two way switch in the line and then with some GPS units that play movies or music you can then plumb the sound through the car audio.

[85HiluxSR5]

bookmarked
thanks

[julzy]

i just got quoted around $80 for this cable from my mitsu dealer. Where did you get it for $36?

[boycee]

I just have a belkin fm transmitter that works as a holder and charger aswell. the reception gets a bit average though.

[dbatz]

Great work - photos work well. This is on the to do list.
cheers
dbatz

[edgecrusher]

Thanks for the info, have ordered one off my stealer for $26, will be in Tuesday - just as my new Triton will be ready for pickup!!

[turto]

I went to Jaycar yesterday, and it cost me $4.90 for a 3.5mm female adaptor and a 50 cm audio extension. i already had the cd-rom audio cable lying around at home.
I just then soldiered the female socket to on end of the cd cabla and plugged the other into the back of the headunit as per the picture above. then ran it out the passenger side the the bottom of the dash.
I did it this way so that i can run a longer audio cable to the back and plug the kids dvd players in.

[apoll]

That's great turto. The CDROM audio cables are ideal. They click in perfectly, almost ever one has one and you don't need them any more in computers (it's all digital these days).

[turto]

and it worked out way cheaper than the genuine cable. i think they had them at jaycar for about the $3 mark anyway.

[Homer]

I found the option best for me was soldering the jaycar female connection to the cable and mounting it in the dash.

It was neat and out of the way and I plug a long or short jack lead in depending if I run from my iphone or back to the kids ipod in the back.
Around where mine is in the pic had the best room behind (I would mount a touch higher if I did it again) but I just whacked it in anywhere close as I'm a bit of a bull at a gate (drive the same ) - there are plenty of places to mount it and no cables hanging out from behind the dash.

[MR T]

that looks really neat almost cant see it

[giancarlo93]

Subi
Thank you for your post, I did mine today.
Total cost: $2 for the cable and 15 minutes.