AUX2CAR 2003 Vibe Success
Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 12:43 am
There has been considerable chatter on this forum about how to install an auxiliary input into the manufactures headset for MP3 players. There has been a lot of debate on whether or not the Peripherals AUX2CAR input works and specifically if it works on a 2003 VIBE. I'm here to report, I just installed a Peripherals AUX2CAR unit on my 2003 Vibe and it works great. (Cost Approx $100 incl shipping and taxes). No issues. My vehicle has a single CD headset with the Moon & Tunes package (i.e the vehicle has the manufacture auxiliary amp). The headset has the AUX / CD button and a AM/FM button. There is no "BAND" button ilo the AM FM button. I assume this unit will not work on the 6 CD changer headset since it emulates an external CD changer. So you guys are still out of luck, unless your headset has the "BAND" button and the headset is Satellite radio compatible/ready. I'm not sure exactly what the debate was with why or why not the AUX2CAR would or would not work with the 2003 Vibe. I read forums that talked about the 2003 headsets not having the same internals as the 04 and beyond radio, the 2003 headset having different firmware than the 04 and beyond. All I can guarantee is the AUX2CAR works on my 2003 Vibe Headset. The strange thing is the owners manual for the AUX2CAR does not list the 2003 Vibe as a compatible vehicle. It does list the 2004 & 2005 vehicles. Who knows. The AUX2CAR emulates an external CD changer the headset recognizes. I listed out the exact steps I followed to install the AUX2CAR. Maybe I did something different that allowed it to work that others had not tried.Installation Steps: 1) Disconnect car battery - negative terminal. 2) Remove finish panel around car headset. Just pull up on the bottom left corner. It doesn't take a lot of force to get the panel to start coming loose. If you really start to force things you are doing something wrong. Don't disconnect any of the electrical connections. There is a wire harness clipped to the radio bracket on the left hand side. You need to unclip this harness. Just hold the panel off to the side towards the steering wheel. I took a piece of string and tied it to the steering wheel.3) Completely Remove headset: 4 bolts to remove. Disconnect wire harnesses from the rear of the headset, disconnect the antenna lead.4) Install AUX2CAR unit: I assume you purchased the correct GM harness along with the AUX2CAR unit. - Set the AUX2CAR to the Class 2 Settings - Not the XM Radio Settings - Connect the yellow wire to the blue white wire in the main harness. - Connect the Car 12 pin wire harness to the AUX2CAR wire harness. - Find a place to secure the AUX2CAR Unit. I used a zip tie to secure the AUX2CAR unit to the top of the main wire harness crossing behind the headset.- I ran the MP3 input lead down to the storage bin below the shifter. 5) Reinstall the headset connecting the main harness and the 12 pin AUX2CAR harness. 6) Reconnect the car battery 7) Time to test: When you turn on the radio you should see a stack of CDs in the radio display vs a single CD. If this is the case, the unit is installed correctly. To play, just plug in your MP3 player (make sure volume is up) and push the AUX/CD button on the headset. The headset should read Disk 1 Track 1 or CD Time: 2:00 Note: if you have a single CD in the player, the AUX will not work until you remove this CD. The single CD takes priority over the AUX2CAR input. 8) Reinstall the Finish Panel. Hope this helps someone. Post and entry if you have any questions.AJS