Aux Input - PIE Adapter - SUCCESS!

[Jahntassa]

Alright kiddies, I said I would get it, and here is my fulfillment.I ordered the PIE X3 adapter, which adds three RCA inputs to your stereo, along with keeping your changer working. It's about $86 from http://www.xmfanstore.comBasically, it's a box with a wired remote (see pic below) and an adapter specific to our vehicle. The Vibe needs the X3-GM12 adapter.This will only work if you have a headunit that is changer compatible! I have it working currently with the DVDNAV system, so it will work with that. Basically, you disconnect the changer from the headunit, plug in the adapter cable to the headunit, and also the changer wire. The PIE needs its own power supply, so I spliced it into the NAV power wires. I ran the cables to the glovebox, and velcro'd the unit to the back of the glove box. (I have my camera, and will take pictures later.It is MUCH cleaner than the FM modulator I had. It'll definitely be worth it.

[Geo]

That's awesome! :DI think I still might go with a new headunit though, change up the dash a little.This is good news for a great amount of people, though! Thanks for being the one who explored uncharted waters for the enrichment of the masses

[CMcGowan]

So in order for this to work, you need to have the external 6 disc changer connected to the harness since that sends the zux signal from what I understand. So us guys with the regular base radio with/with out the M&T amp are screwed, right?

[ragingfish]

Perhaps PIE makes one for the base radio?

[millster]

quote:So in order for this to work, you need to have the external 6 disc changer connected to the harness since that sends the zux signal from what I understand. So us guys with the regular base radio with/with out the M&T amp are screwed, right?From what I gather, it's worse than that. If I understand the operation of this thing properly, only those with the DVD Nav system can use this. Unless those of us with the base radio go out and buy that external changer.

[esjones]

There may be a different model adapter for Vibes with other than the DVD Nav system. I doubt that the in-dash CD changer model is also equipped to handle an external changer (sounds dumb), but maybe the single-disk head unit IS enabled for a changer, even though a changer is not offered as a factory option with this unit. In any event, the GOAL here is to have an audio path to the head unit that does not involve an FM modulator. This unit seems to do the trick.My question.... what does the screen display show when you are playing XM through the head unit, and what do the changer control buttons do in this mode, anything?Thanks.

[millster]

quote:There may be a different model adapter for Vibes with other than the DVD Nav system. I doubt that the in-dash CD changer model is also equipped to handle an external changer (sounds dumb), but maybe the single-disk head unit IS enabled for a changer, even though a changer is not offered as a factory option with this unit. In any event, the GOAL here is to have an audio path to the head unit that does not involve an FM modulator. This unit seems to do the trick.I agree that the single-disc is enabled for the changer. From that perspective, it should work. My point is that it appears the changer has to be in place for this unit to work. That's quite an expensive piece!

[CMcGowan]

An email from PIE does state that the changer DOES need to be there in order for either X3 and adapter to work. Seems the changer sends the BUS command to activate the AUX input for the radio to see it. Us NAV and non NAV guys without the changer will need something that sends the BUS command for this to work. Now only if someone could get the info on how that BUS command works...

[johnsoax]

Well, I got the delph factory XM box that was supposed to send the bus commands, but it didn't work. I'm 99.99% positive that the CD changer will only work with the Nav system. It is a completely different animal than the other radios. My current theory is that the 2003 radios (that are in the current run of 2004 Vibes, because the 2004 radios just went into production July 21st) just don't have the software to look for the bus command for the audio inputs.It's a class 2 bus, so I would think that this should be easy to come by. I just don't think that our radios even look.

[Jahntassa]

quote:My question.... what does the screen display show when you are playing XM through the head unit, and what do the changer control buttons do in this mode, anything?Basically the controller is still running while you're listening to whatever. The unit doesn't interrupt the changer controls, just the audio. So the changer behaves as normal.As for the other radios, i'm not sure.. All of the other PIE units say they won't work with the 2003 Vibe..Of course..it'd be nice if we could get the XM Module direct from GM...save a whole lotta trouble..

[brian_r_baker]

Jahntassa, Did you ever take pictures of this? The link in your first post doesn't seem to work. I'm interested in the dimensions of the wired remote. Do you keep the remote in the glovebox also?

[Jahntassa]

I can try to get some today. And yeah, xmfanstore.com got rebuilt (long story). The controller for the X3 unit is about..uh.. 2" wide x 1" high x 1/2" deep. It's actually velcro'd to the carpet between the armrest console and the center console pocket.http://www.xmfanstore.com/showproduct.php?id=piex3 This link might work a little better. You need the X3GM12 unit. If you take your glovebox out (remove the screw on the right side, gently pull out the bottom, and it'll sorta fall out), there's a space on the right side of the airbox assembly where it snugly fits in. The wiring goes across the metal bar to the back of the radio, where it plugs into the radio, and also the wiring from the changer. It also needs to be wired to constant, switched, and ground power, which can be t-tapped from the radio.I'll try to get pictures of the box behind the glovebox, I'm a little leery of taking out the radio again, i've done it too many times! But, if you need to know which wires are power, I can let you know!

[Jahntassa]

Here are those images of the X3. The first is a close-up of it installed.

Attached files

[Jahntassa]

And here's a perspective. It's behind the glove box, to the right of the AC Filter assembly.

Attached files

[ragingfish]

Dude!You need to pop the dash off and clean up some of that wiring!

[Jahntassa]

Nono...i'd need to pull the entire car apart to clean up that wiring... I have power going all over the place..audio cabling... all kinds of stuff.However..another thread did give me the "LED in the airvent" idea that I might try..

[bayoyong]

hi. i found an old post you had on gen vibe forums. i have a 2003 vibe with navdvd and am trying to add xm thru an aux input adapter. i have the delphi roadie for interface. do you know what aux input adapter i use? it's so hard to find these answers. thx.jeff

[mcgusto82]

my non NAV 2004 single disc. has the 12 pi connector with a harness attached that goes all the way back to the rear hatch were it has what i believe to be i s an xm radio adaptor. it's not the same connector that goes to the stock changer. but!! the harness makes a stop at the B pillar. there the original harness ends with the connector for the changer. then it hookes up to the second harness and continues its jurney to the hatch. to nothing. my car is post jul 2004. so what is that???