159 Aux Cable Mod

[V AR 164]

Hi all,

Recently installed a mini ISO to 3.5mm cable into the 159 using the factory headunit. My car does not have the 'Blue & Me' system.

It is a really simple job to do, however you will loose the option to use the 10 stacker CD player in the boot. But I don't think anyone uses that these days...

Remove the HU, disconnect the 10 stacker CD connector and replace it with the new cable. I routed the cable through the passenger side of the centre console and have it leading into the centre console compartment when not in use.

Simple press the 'CD' button on the HU and it will play from the 3.5mm input.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Car-Radio-Mini-ISO-to-3-5mm-Jack-Aux-Input-Interface-Cable-for-Fiat-Grande-MP3/222858307168?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

For 5 bucks you can't go wrong.

Cheers, Andrew.

[Craig_m67]

or.. you could have hacked a BT-163 USB bluetooth module for another $5 to the (perhaps existing) dummy plug and gone aux in wireless.. pinouts and the data lines you have to ground are available....

Doesn't the 159 already have bluetooth audio - or is it just phone ?

[bazzbazz]

Well the 159 has a USB slot in the glove box too so you can play anything you want from a USB stick. I would have thought that to be a lot easier?

[Craig_m67]

Does it connect to anything, or just supply power?

[bazzbazz]

Connects to the factory head unit and allows you to play music on it through the head unit to speakers.

[V AR 164]

Well the 159 has a USB slot in the glove box too so you can play anything you want from a USB stick. I would have thought that to be a lot easier?

Wait what? It has a usb port?

Mine has a factory Bluetooth phone option using a Parrot system, but it only lets me make and answer phone calls and doesn't let you play music. The aux is nice to have as I can play anything on the go and don't have a set playlist.

Whilst bluetooth is great, I find it a pain especially when I have mates in the car and want to play music off their phone. Setting up multiple bluetooth connections is just so unnecessary when a simple cable does the exact same job.

I'm going outside now to look for this usb port....

Cheers, Andrew

Edit: Nope I don't have a USB port anywhere, maybe because it is an early series car being its a 2006 model?

[bazzbazz]

I can just imagine if you did have one . . . . "SON OF A BITCH!" 

Just so you know I am not winding you up -

[V AR 164]

Hahahahah yup, would have been pretty mad

[kaleuclint]

My 2.2 had a stacker in the boot -- maybe 120 tracks?  My 1750Ti has the USB socket.  A 16Gb stick works fine.  About 2000 tracks I think!  Only hassle (hardly) is converting ITunes purchases to .mp3 and deleting the numeric prefix ("01", etc.) from the song titles so it doesn't show up on the screen and so you can find tracks alphabetically.

[bazzbazz]

And that begs the question, Andrew, don't suppose you had a good look in the boot? 

[V AR 164]

Indeed my car does have the stacker, but honestly who uses CD's? It's 2018, not 2008.

Plugging in my phone seems a lot easier than downloading songs, buying CD's, burning CD's then putting them in the car. Nevermind the fact you don't know what songs are on what CD's.

For $5 and 2 mins of my time I think its a much more simple solution.

Andrew.

[bazzbazz]

Good god, we're talking about CDs . . . . not Vinyl.   

[V AR 164]

Funny you should say that, I have a small vinyl collection myself. I listen to them regularly.

I believe that vinyl has actually been outselling CD's over the past year or so. Go figure.

Watch this space for a record player install in the 159!!!



Andrew.

[Citroënbender]

LOL, can just see you fitting one of these:

https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2015/06/25/spinning-vinyl-while-cruising-the-interstate/

[poohbah]

I only have vinyl and CD. Nothing on my phone or other wireless sources.