Develop Bugs

XDA CarKit Wiring

Hola!
I'm trying to work out how to make my own XDA car kit cable. I have the pinout for the XDA - thanks to the XDA Developers Site
- http://wiki.xda-developers.com/wiki/Connectors
I also Have a pinout for the back of my Stereo (Philips CAR 400 From a Vauxhall Astra - '02) thanks to
- http://carradio.hit.bg/philips.htm
I have done some preliminary testing with small cables and connectors that go into a standard phono input on my big stereo in my room and have been successful at making a mini-kit, but am having real trouble working out what the pins on the back of the car stereo do (i.e which is for audio input from the phone)
Labels are as follows:
PHILIPS CAR400
01 - SVD
02 - SAC
03 - SCL
04 - Tel. Mute
05 - TIS
06 - Batt. +
07 - MRQ
08 - Power Antenna
09 - DDL
10 - Lights
11 - ACC ( 12 v + )
12 - GND
13 - SDA
The only one that make any sense is Tel. Mute (Anyone any idea what voltage I have to put accross this to get the system to mute)
If anyone knows what the rest of the pins stand for your help would be much appreciated.
Many thanks,
Will

You put the mute to earth to mute the stereo - normally it's floating.

1 down
Good good, one down, 12 to go.

Now I've read your question.
Answer is probably none of them. All the mute does is silence the audio (and pause the CD on some radios) - the assumption is either that you have a remote speaker for the phone or you use some commercial adapter like Autoleads to intercept the output to the car speakers via a relay. Autoleads sell a huge range of car/stereo specific leads that all provide a "generic" phone interface for Nokia phones. There are also a number of patch leads that enable you to plug specific car kits to the Nokia interface (which is just Battery, switched +, ground and mute with a 3.5mm jack for mono audio. Most knowledgeable guy for this stuff is Terry White on http://www.siocommunications.co.uk/ (he'll sell you the appropriate leads or make up what you need).
Note that the Autoleads solution (which mutes the stereo and uses relays to swich the audio from the phone to front speakers) renders the stereo automute unnecessary, but it is nice to pause the CD anyway and usually you get a front panel indication of phone call which is useful.
I note that the Philips connector also has an audio L/R/Gnd input. This is probably for an aux source like an MP3 player (eg XDA) but of course this needs to be selected on the radio and will also be muted when the mute pin goes to ground.
Hope that helps

I guess the other pins are things like CANBus, D2B wakeup etc. a bit like Siemens/Bosch

Last one. The Autolead you need is 06-078B - £47 + pp from Terry.
http://www.siocommunications.co.uk/06-078B.html

Phew!
That's a mighty big cable?
I notice that it has a 'big connector' (I've marked it in yellow on the image I've attached with this post). There is already one of these on the existing setup. This wouldn't mean I have to completely rip out all of the existing wiring would it?
Also, the jack (Red on the image) looks like a mono jack, I assume this is the bit that plugs into the phone or which I can adapt to plug into the phone?
Seems a bit expensive too, is it really necessary? Can I just forget the auto mute feature and have the phone output go through the 'MP3 In' inputs? That way I can listen to the music on the XDA through the car stereo as well as any sat-nav stuff I decide to install later on.
The main aim of my question is to try to develop a cheap solution to an XDA-Car audio interface. Do none of the connections on the back of my stereo allow me to wire in some sort of auxiliary input?

Yes it is big but it does the job and you can usually find room.
The connector(s) go in line with the ISO and stereo specific plugs, so routing all the power and speaker outputs via the relay module. You don't rip anything out, or need to break into existing wiring, so you reduce risk of problems or warranty issues - it really is the lowest hassle solution.
Yes the red plug is the phone audio input and is designed for Nokia kits.
Expensive? Not really, considering you avoid any hassles and can remove the kit after with no changes or damage to the car wiring. Replacing connectors and fixing car wiring can be expensive.
Yes you could go into the Philips cnnector from the XDA, but you would have to manually select Aux in on the radio, and it wouldn't mute anything. If you were listening to the car radio you'd need to answer the phone and also switch to aux in on the radio to hear anything. Sounds a mess to me!

OK
Ok, so assuming I use the new connector to wire in the phone and have it working through a seperate speaker, how do I connect the MP3 Outputs of the XDA into the stereo. I have no problem using a seperate speaker for the voice on the XDA but I really want to play the XDA music through the Car's built in speakers.
I understand I'll have to come up with some way of getting the sound from the XDA to the speaker AND the car stereo but I don't mind that, It's just something I'll have to worry about.
Most car stereos I've seen have a seperate set of Phono Sockets for auxiliary inputs but this philips doesn't. What do the pins on the back actually stand for in english? (Laymans terms please because I don't understand the long names but I will be able to fathom how to use them if you tell me what they actually do, long names might be ok too cos I can always look on Google to find out what the various bits do.)

Actually I screwed up - looking again at that wierd Bulgarian* site the CAR 400 looks like it has the 26 pin connector and the phone lead would be Autolead 06-053B.
http://www.siocommunications.co.uk/06-053B.html
Also it looks as though the CAR400 does NOT support Aux in - sorry about that - although you could try putting signals onto pins 9 and 10 (using 3 as Ground) and see what happens (that's what the CAR660 uses). No warranty actual or implied!!
* This guy is promoting software to crack EEPROM codes on car radios and to clock cars with digital instrument clusters. Not sure I'd be so keen to build a close relationship there mate!!

No Fear
Thanks anyway, I've got a few exams to sit this coming week so no chance to fiddle for a bit but I'll post back again once I work out how it goes. Looks like I'll have to find some sort of seperate amp and patch it in somewhere to output to the car speakers.
No connection between me and the Bulgarian bloke, just found the site on google as a means of showing you the pinout on the back of the CAR 400.
I'm assuming Pins 9 and 10 CDR and CDL stand for CD - Left and CD - Right respectively?
One last quickie before I go, can I source ISO connectors (Just the plastic bits) from anywhere so I can maybe make a patch through cable? I'd need a male and a female one.
i.e.
CAR STEREO (FEMALE ISO) ---> Wiring (MALE ISO)
becomes
CAR STEREO (FEMALE ISO) ---> NEW MALE ISO --------> MY STUFF ---------> NEW FEMALE ISO ---> Wiring (MALE ISO)
Cheers for the help, I'll have a mess about over the next few weeks and post back with my results in case anyone's interested.

Just a note to say I've found some ISO Connectors. You can get them from maplin.
http://www.maplin.co.uk
codes
QK25C (headunit end) @ £4.99
MZ76H (car end) @ £6.99
Anyone finds them a bit cheaper let me know...

Another quick note. I've found a small amplifier from Maplin (Code N67AW) 40W 6-16V. (MONO ONLY)
The instructions say it is a 'bridge type' amplifier and that the speaker connections should therefore not be to ground (As in a car).
The setup works fine on my test rig at home, but I was wondering, will I just get lots of noise if I connect it up in the car, or will I blow everything up?
So far my plan is to make a patch through cable that amplifies the XDA signal direct to the car speakers and has some form of automatic switch to detect if audio is coming through the XDA. If it is, then it mutes the signal from the car stereo and patches the XDA through.
Any suggetsions?

Android unit for Ford Fiesta mk7

Hello everyone,
I would like to install an android car radio in my 2012 fiesta, not so much for having the color display, the touchscreen or the possibility of seeing videos but to change the main unit and have better sound (I have installed quality speakers, I have soundproofed the doors and installed an amplifier, but there is a background noise, which also increases with the engine revs and having tried with 2 different amplifiers, I have to assume that it is the fault of the car's head unit).
The problem is that Chinese sellers are not very clear about compatibility;
for the fiesta from 2013 onwards there should be no problem, but I have a 2012.
In the past few years I have been looking for an android radio that would display informational messages on the display and allow the car settings to be adjusted (as is done with the original radio), but it was not possible for fiestas from 2008 to 2012.
I would like to keep the vehicle information messages (such as for open doors or climate controls), I would also like the steering wheel and facia dashboard controls to work; if it could also work the bluetooth would be great! (I have a sony car radio, the one with black facia, with usb and bluetooth, no synch).
Among the various I contacted is Witson, but they were unclear and contradictory about compatibility; one employee told me that it is compatible, another told me that it is not compatible.
Even the employees of belsee, jdaston and Ljda have told me that their units are compatible with my car. but I found no reviews about it.
is there someone here on the forum that can help me, maybe someone who has more information or who has installed one?
Thanks
PS
I am attaching the images of my car and radio model (2012 Ford Fiesta, titanium version)

Hello,
I have similar thoughts and installed android head unit to my mk7 facelift fiesta (2013) I'm new on this things but I will try to help.
After the installation of head unit, I still have the information messages for ac and doors, steering wheel and dashboard buttons are still usable(adapted to new system for different functions). My usb and aux port is still working. The system I have has bluetooth, wifi, gps, carplay/android auto(wifi and cable), other apps(play store), rear view camera. Only rear parking sensors not showing on system because they're not car spesific theyre universal parts, I you have original sensors they will also shown in screen. All this compatibility comes from canbus adapters, theyre spesific to car model which comes with head units and it manages all the communication/adaptation with car, So If head unit you looking for is specified for your car, everthing has to be similar in your condition too.
Before I had this unit. My car is fiesta 1.0 ecoboost titanium x , in Turkey it comes with this unit.
After installation, this is my unit ''AC8227L'' 1gb ram and android 6.0 version, exact same design with picture
I did some modding on theme of course and this is how it looks now
I also modded new boot logo with little photoshop
Device details
Car notification example
If you had anything as a question, just let me know

How is the sound quality? I installed a similar item, but 9 inch. Sound quality is really poor compared to factory radio. The OP is having a Sony radio so I think changing it to a chinese android radio would be multiple steps backwards.

thanks for sharing

Opperpanter said:
How is the sound quality? I installed a similar item, but 9 inch. Sound quality is really poor compared to factory radio. The OP is having a Sony radio so I think changing it to a chinese android radio would be multiple steps backwards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mostly I use with bluetooth so not sure but. I think factory audi is %10 better than new android unit

cleartdragon said:
Hello,
I have similar thoughts and installed android head unit to my mk7 facelift fiesta (2013) I'm new on this things but I will try to help.
After the installation of head unit, I still have the information messages for ac and doors, steering wheel and dashboard buttons are still usable(adapted to new system for different functions). My usb and aux port is still working. The system I have has bluetooth, wifi, gps, carplay/android auto(wifi and cable), other apps(play store), rear view camera. Only rear parking sensors not showing on system because they're not car spesific theyre universal parts, I you have original sensors they will also shown in screen. All this compatibility comes from canbus adapters, theyre spesific to car model which comes with head units and it manages all the communication/adaptation with car, So If head unit you looking for is specified for your car, everthing has to be similar in your condition too.
Before I had this unit. My car is fiesta 1.0 ecoboost titanium x , in Turkey it comes with this unit.
After installation, this is my unit ''AC8227L'' 1gb ram and android 6.0 version, exact same design with picture
I did some modding on theme of course and this is how it looks now
I also modded new boot logo with little photoshop
Device details
Car notification example
If you had anything as a question, just let me know
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cleartdragon said:
Hello,
I have similar thoughts and installed android head unit to my mk7 facelift fiesta (2013) I'm new on this things but I will try to help.
After the installation of head unit, I still have the information messages for ac and doors, steering wheel and dashboard buttons are still usable(adapted to new system for different functions). My usb and aux port is still working. The system I have has bluetooth, wifi, gps, carplay/android auto(wifi and cable), other apps(play store), rear view camera. Only rear parking sensors not showing on system because they're not car spesific theyre universal parts, I you have original sensors they will also shown in screen. All this compatibility comes from canbus adapters, theyre spesific to car model which comes with head units and it manages all the communication/adaptation with car, So If head unit you looking for is specified for your car, everthing has to be similar in your condition too.
Before I had this unit. My car is fiesta 1.0 ecoboost titanium x , in Turkey it comes with this unit.
After installation, this is my unit ''AC8227L'' 1gb ram and android 6.0 version, exact same design with picture
I did some modding on theme of course and this is how it looks now
I also modded new boot logo with little photoshop
Device details
Car notification example
If you had anything as a question, just let me know
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where did you buy it

Yet another android tablet as a head unit

Hi,
I'd like to introduce my project...
I'm building a vintage kit car using the BMW Z3 (2000 model year) as the base car. I want the car to have access to tech but for the tech to be hidden in the centre console, actually on the underside of the top of the console. The concept is that when no tech is needed (for example at shows) the car will retain its vintage looks but when tech is required (i.e. when being driven) the tech becomes available. I'm imagining a top section of the console which will hinge up and reveal the tablet. There isn't going to be much space on the underside of the console which is why I'm going for a tablet rather than one of the many Chinese android units.
As an aside, I've just ordered an Icebox Octa core 64G Rom / 4G Ram unit (TTF1983 ) for my facelift (2015) Vauxhall Insignia which I expect to arrive in the next week or so.
I've already researched other people's projects which has helped me to get to where I currently am. Where I currently am is ordering many of the bits and pieces which I expect to need.
My tablet project is intended to be a much simpler affair than the Icebox unit:
DAB and FM radio
Rear and, hopefully, front camera
Sat nav
OBD II
Mirror my phone if needs be
What I won't need includes:
Steering wheel controls
Air con management
Electric roof control
Pretty much everything else that an android head unit offers
What I might need is:
BT Phone but in a convertible that's going to be a bit of an issue any way
Because the car will only be used sporadically I need an effective power management system, one which will kick in after perhaps a month's lack of use.
My tablet of choice is a Galaxy Tab S 10.5 (SM-T800) which I happen to have lying around, it's currently running stock Android 6.01 . The tablet is a wifi model so the plan is to hotspot it to my Galaxy S8 when I'm on the road
I've already ordered
a 12V to 5V 3A dc-dc converter
a 4 port USB2 hub
an OTG Y cable to take power from the dc-dc converter to feed the tablet and to move data between the devices
an easycap UTV007 video capture device (for the parking camera units)
a USB to USB relay to allow the easycap to feed the video through to the USB when reverse is connected
an 'intelligent' video selector which has two video inputs (front and rear cameras) and one video output (to the head unit via the USB relay). The unit keeps the relevant camera connected to the output. I need to take delivery of this and play with it to see what it can really do.
an ELM327 bluetooth OBD II device
a NooElec Smart DVB+ device
a Creative Soundblaster DAC
I know that I'm going to need a decent amplifier between the DAC and the speakers (suggestions and recommendations welcome). I might also want a manual volume control, possibly with a push button mute facility. I've probably missed a bunch of stuff...
I've rooted the tablet and tweaked it (overwritten lpm) so that when the ignition is switched on then the tablet will boot. I've used MacroDroid to tell the device to switch off 10 seconds after the ignition is switched off (unless the ignition gets switched on again within those 10 seconds)
I'm looking very closely at the Agama Car Launcher to pull much of it together. There are some aspects of this launcher that I'd like to see improved. For example I'd like to be able to get back to the home screen from the maps screen (or other screens) CarWebGuru places a button on the screen to allow this. It would be nice also to have a split screen so that I can have maps on one side and Audio / OBD / any other app on the other side. I'm aware that I might not get all that I wish for
One thing I'd REALLY like to see improved is the cold boot time which is currently 50 seconds. I might consider a custom ROM if anyone knows of a ROM that will fire up quickly, or any other tweak which will significantly shorten the cold boot time. 10 seconds or less would be nice. I've looked at Cyanogenmod 12.1 or 13 with the quick boot utility but I understand that the quick boot is basically hibernate and may not survive a month without the ignition being switched on.
Hopefully I've given a reasonable overview of what I'm looking to achieve and hopefully there will be people out there that can help tie everything together and troubleshoot when the time comes.
Russell

nice project, good luck with it..

Keep us posted on your project progress...

Wondering how this is coming along?
My question for you is, will the tablet charge and use data via the OTG cable simultaneously? Did you need to run a custom kernel to enable that?
thanks.

Quite in consonance with what I've been wanting to achieve. Nevertheless, the plan was frustrated by other priorities. Would love to see how this emerges. Meanwhile here's a basic experiment I've tried.

What headunit can I get!?

Hi everyone, I basically have an ongoing project at the moment where I'd like to have a headunit in the open top kit car me and a friend are building. Everything is full on stripped down back to basics, no ABS, no powersteering but we're keen to have a bit of fimiliarities with the headunit. I'm struggling a little bit on exactly what to get, I don't know if an off the shelf solution exists or if I'd have to go down something like the rasperry pi route but effectively here's what I'm after from the unit. Don't mind the idea of a tablet of sorts as well, but it would need multiple USB slots (see below).
Android OS is probably best for what we're after however open to suggestions/other ideas
Multiple USB slots 3 minimum - 1 for ODB/ Diagnostic connection, 1 for Apple CarPlay and the other for DAB radio if required
Resistive touch screen - there's no roof on the kit car we'll do our best to weatherproof it but we'd like for the screen to be not effected by droplets of water if it does start raining
Something that's not incredible slow
The monitor and the OS can be two separate devices if required e.g Resistive monitor and then trailing a HDMI/USB to the computer which would be in a dry wiring tray.
Has anyone done this? Seen anything that'd suit? We're really open to suggestions and looking to find a solution asap.

Perhaps post in the Android head units forum, this thread is for specific "MTCD" units.

Most units I have seen are Capacitive screens not resistive, but rain does not affect either really when you dry them off.
If you are looking for reliable Apple CarPlay then Android head units are not the best bet.
I know that the Dasaita PX6 head units have a HDMI out which you can connect another touch screen to for dual touchscreens.
I have the Dasiata in a topless jeep which has had some (light) rain on it in the past with no ill effects.

Sorry all, new to the forums I'll post in the correct place now

Vanku PX6 4/64

I bought this Vanku head unit on Amazon. It's a double din 7 inch screen.
It's my first Android head unit and I am very, very happy.
I've fitted it into a Honda Civic hatch Mk9 (Euro version) so I needed to buy and install a new fascia plate.
To get steering wheel control working, I had to buy some harnesses and a canbus.
I used the following:
CT27AA71Honda - DIN Antenna Adapter With Phantom Power Supply. *For Aftermarket Radio With DIN Antenna Connector*CTSMARTLEAD
This head unit connection lead can be used with all of the Connects2 steering wheel control interface rangeCTSHO006.2Honda Steering Wheel Control Interface
Steering controls work great after being programmed using the onboard button learning app.
It comes with a microphone, GPS and WiFi antennas and double USB leads. It can also be hooked up to a front and rear camera, but I haven't used these features (I already have rear camera assist on my car, and haven't purchased a DVR camera for the front yet).
The first boot up took under a minute, and the subsequent boot up when turning on the ignition is a couple of seconds.
So far everything feels lightning fast - navigation, app launch, video and music.
I am not getting a great WiFi connection, but I'll check the antenna wire is properly installed before moaning too much.
Bluetooth works great for calls and A2DP. I've also installed an OBD2 adapter and I'm using Torque Pro on the head unit with no issues.
Most apps so far seem to work great - the only app I'm having an issue with is eWeLink (which I use to control all my home automation) and I can't seem to press the log-in button as it's very low down in the screen (app doesn't seem to scale properly for a horizontal screen). I wanted this as I could then open my front gate from the head unit, but I will have to figure out a different way.
The included manual is actually pretty good - the English is by and large pretty understandable.
I will try upload some pictures a bit later - the main purpose of this post is that I wanted to help anyone else researching this particular unit as I could find very little when I was trying to make my purchase decision.