Project: Cell phone mount, MP3 audio to stereo, USB power

ocgltd · #1 (**permalink**) 10-29-09, 08:55 PM

For those of you who love to customize your Cadillac, you'll enjoy this project. I wanted get rid of my CD Changer and install an Aux in to the factory radio. Since I didn't just want an input cable dangling from the dash, I went all out! This project accomplished the following:

1. Remove the CD Changer and restore console bin
2. Add an Aux input to the radio (replacing CD Changer input) for MP3 input
3. Add a 3.5mm audio in jack to the dash
4. Add an in-dash 5v USB jack for charging my mp3/cell phone
5. Add a permanent phone holder which didn't interfere with airbags or visibility

If you'd like to see the step by step with photos:
www.ocg.ca/cadillac and click the third project link.

iametarq · #2 (**permalink**) 10-29-09, 09:42 PM

that's really nice. I like it a lot.

Cleaner1974 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-30-09, 05:08 PM

That looks pretty cool, but I'm sure there are more than just 7 steps. do you think you can post more detailed instructions?

ocgltd · #4 (**permalink**) 10-30-09, 06:01 PM

Yes, more than seven steps....but that's all the photos I took so I had to summarize. The project required around 7 hours of effort, spread over 10 days. Lots of letting glue dry, buying an odd connector, etc...

If you need any tips or have questions post them and I can provide the missing details. Things to be aware of...after 9 years the A-pillar mount clips get old and break away from wood (under cloth)...so buy a plastic weld to re-attach them.

eXile · #5 (**permalink**) 10-30-09, 07:17 PM

Do mine now.

Looks great I'd have alot of fun with that if it were my car.

N*Caddy · #6 (**permalink**) 10-30-09, 08:55 PM

You don’t need to remove your CD changer for an auxiliary input. I have posted all you need to do here:

(CD Changer to MP3 Player)

In the picture above the

In the schematics above I used the Power Antenna signal and send it to the AUX switch in the AUX input connector. In the latest AUX boxes I made I used the HU power wire and ran the GND through the AUX switch.
Is not really complicated you keep your CD changer and gain an auxiliary input.

Here (Auxiliary Input on Seville/Deville/Catera: DIRECT connection) is how to do-it if you don't have BOSE.

ocgltd · #7 (**permalink**) 10-30-09, 11:24 PM

I thought about just interrupting the L/R feed too, but I also wanted my console back (I'm not a CD guy anymore - everything is MP3 for me)...

Nice idea though! I read the two links, and just out of curiosity - why are you using the power antenna output to throw the relay? (Why not just interrupt the L/R...not sure I follow how power antenna signal helps...

N*Caddy · #8 (**permalink**) 10-31-09, 12:54 AM

The reason is simple; the power antenna signal is ON as long as the HU is ON. You need the AUX relays energized (as in AUX signal in) only as long as the HU is ON.
But I noticed a small side effect, when you open the door the HU the antenna signal is switched to 0 a fraction of second before the HU shuts down (the capacitor in the filter keeps the HU on) and the AUX input relays are pretty fast so in some occasions you can hear a small chirp when the HU is shutting down with the AUX in connected (is switching from AUX to HU). This can be corrected by adding a capacitor to the relay circuit (to delay the relays). But then the capacitor has a big surge when the AUX switch in the AUX connector is closed (so is hard on the contact), you need to add a resistor to limit the charging current and a diode to allow the current from the capacitor to bypass the resistor when discharging. But then why bothering when all these are to save a 9mA current the relay coils are sucking when the HU is off and the RAP ON. So too much thinking sometimes is not good.
With the AUX input you can listen to any audio device (mp3 based or not) while you still have the 12 or 6 disk CD changer available. I would never EVER give up my CD changer except for the defunct NeoChanger. That was the ONLY aftermarket direct replacement CD changer with MP3 capability. Unfortunately is gone for years now and is nearly impossible to find one used (functional or not). And then is the blue and silver case witch looks in the trunk well … like an aftermarket cheap radio (blue displays) in a Honda Civic. Also even the NeoChanger had some limitations, you can not put more than ~128 songs on a disk (the HU can’t support so many songs as on a CDA format disk you never have even 30 tracks).