[AUX in] Ipod Connection in EX

Lex · 25th February 2007, 15:26

Apologies if this is common knowledge already.

As has already been mentioned, the ipod connection for the civic has been some what of an after thought and could have been so much better.

The ipod connection was part of the deal with my car (didn't know its limitations at this point) and was supplied and fitted by the dealer who informed me it was a £225 option.

As it was the first ipod connection they had fitted it took 3 hours as opposed to the 1 hour quoted!

I noted that when the car was returned that the clock was out and wouldn't let me reset the time

.

It was later returned to the dealer for this and other problems and I was told that the EX model, because it had sat nav etc required a further cable to connect all the devices. Luckily it was part of the deal otherwise this cable would have cost me £92. Thus taking the total cost of the ipod connection for the EX to £317!!!!

I do like the crystal clear sound quality from the connector, not like the interference I used to get with a FM transmitter but still disappointed overall.

I was really hoping that the input wheel/ sat nav control would have doubled as the ipod click wheel with some sort of menu on screen, obviously too good to be true.

I have also noticed that the EX does not have a random play button on the stereo which means that the playlists etc cannot be played randomly. The CD can be by using the random play voice command but this does not work with the ipod.

So to sum up, For £317 all you get is 7 playlists, 'Honda1' - 'Honda7' (so the car will recognise them) or playing the entire music content of the ipod (podcasts etc not played) from start to finish without the option of doing it in random play!

Poor effort Honda, get the finger out and get it sorted!

basegreen · 25th February 2007, 15:49

And people still say that this link is worth it?

gray52 · 25th February 2007, 16:46

total rip off!

czechplastik · 25th February 2007, 17:35

Thanks for the review.... just serves to make me more angry!

The Daddy · 25th February 2007, 19:30

I too had a demo of the crappy Honda kit at my local dealer. I have tried in vain to get the Dension B unit but was told that this had been discontinued

and that Dension were currently revamping the A unit to work on both the current and older civic by Gordon Harwood Computers where Tucker got his. Got sick of waiting for the thumbs up on this so opted instead for the connects2 solution Pottsy has used but without the expensive Honda cable so it has only cost £40 to get it hooked up. Without the extra cable you lose the audio screen on the sat nav.

This is a minor annoyance but has anyone found a way around this without the Honda cable? I thought it ought to be possible to splice cables or something?

Has anyone cracked this minor problem without resorting to a 90 quid Honda cable?

gray52 · 25th February 2007, 22:06

I Would Pay That Price If You Could Play Your Videos From The Ipod To The Exs Screen. Im Going To Look Into Getting This Done As There Must Be Someone You Can Do It.

czechplastik · 25th February 2007, 22:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by gray52

I Would Pay That Price If You Could Play Your Videos From The Ipod To The Exs Screen. Im Going To Look Into Getting This Done As There Must Be Someone You Can Do It.

I agree, someone, somewhere must be able to do it. I'd be happy if I got tracklistings etc on the screen, video would just be a bonus!

generationgav · 26th February 2007, 09:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Daddy

Got sick of waiting for the thumbs up on this so opted instead for the connects2 solution Pottsy has used but without the expensive Honda cable so it has only cost £40 to get it hooked up. Without the extra cable you lose the audio screen on the sat nav.

This is a minor annoyance but has anyone found a way around this without the Honda cable? I thought it ought to be possible to splice cables or something?

Do you have an EX? Therefore you needed a £92 cable on top of the £40 cable?

You realise that the Honda cable doesn't display track-names or anything? The only thing you're missing is steering wheel controls!

Quote:

Originally Posted by gray52

I Would Pay That Price If You Could Play Your Videos From The Ipod To The Exs Screen. Im Going To Look Into Getting This Done As There Must Be Someone You Can Do It.

The Dension has video (composite) out; so in theory if you could get the reversing camera video in to take that then it might work; however you'd have to convert the signal, which nobody has yet done, find out where it goes, which nobody has yet done and then "fool" the car in to the fact you're in reverse gear; or only watch it when in reverse!

The Daddy · 26th February 2007, 18:09

I did realise that having been researching various Ipod solutions for several weeks before parting with any cash! But what you don't realise is that in the EX there is and audio screen on the sat nav that does display track info etc for mp3 & wma cd's which I've also been using and as a result of connecting the ipod I've lost this screen!!

As i said a minor annoyance but I am planning on splicing the cable to the new connector somehow which will restore this nice feature if I ever want to play an mp3 cd and display track info.

generationgav · 27th February 2007, 08:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Daddy

I did realise that having been researching various Ipod solutions for several weeks before parting with any cash! But what you don't realise is that in the EX there is and audio screen on the sat nav that does display track info etc for mp3 & wma cd's which I've also been using and as a result of connecting the ipod I've lost this screen!!

As i said a minor annoyance but I am planning on splicing the cable to the new connector somehow which will restore this nice feature if I ever want to play an mp3 cd and display track info.

What?? Which cable is this?? The official one or an unofficial one? You certainly should NOT loose mp3/wma tracklistings when using CD's, however you won't get track listings from your ipod.
If you stick a CD in then it should still work as normal.

The Daddy · 27th February 2007, 08:50

I have used the Connects2 adapter which plugs into the cd changer port and converts it to an aux in. In the EX the CD changer port is already taken by a standard 14 pin connector with 3 wires attached that relay audio information to the factory fitted sat nav.

In order to connect the Connects2 this cable has to be unplugged hence why you lose the audio screen on the sat nav screen period!

I am guessing in the 1.4 with no sat nav the cd changer port is not taken up by anything when it leaves the factory unless you opted for a cd changer??

This bus cable that honda sell for 90 quid somehow allows you to connect the 3 wires I disconnected back to the sat nav hence giving you your track names for mp3 cd's etc. I know the Ipod will not send any info to the screen but I'm not too bothered about this and the official Honda one doesn't do this anyway, which is appalling to say how much it costs!!

What I am proposing to do next is to reconnect the 3 wires I removed to the connects2 connector (which has enough spare pin positions) to restore the sat nav audio screen. If the pin contacts are not detachable then a splice into the standard cable positions should do the trick.

I'll post here when I've worked it out, failing that looks like mr Honda will have my pants down for another £90!!

generationgav · 27th February 2007, 12:49

Does the display above the clock still work? Did it even ever display which song was playing? And does it still now?

The Daddy · 27th February 2007, 18:16

If you mean the multi information display for audio, climate and clock then yes this has always worked fine and still does it's just the audio display on the sat nav. I will experiment with the wires a bit I think.

Typerkid · 27th February 2007, 18:28

as a type r owner in the waiting

i had ordered the ipod connector but after reading so many bad stories about it i cant understand why honda have not done better in this department.

build great cars then let us down over a easy installation

czechplastik · 28th February 2007, 05:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Typerkid

build great cars then let us down over a easy installation

Don't get me started on this....

generationgav · 28th February 2007, 10:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Daddy

If you mean the multi information display for audio, climate and clock then yes this has always worked fine and still does it's just the audio display on the sat nav. I will experiment with the wires a bit I think.

Well that's what the "Loom" is for then; excellent! Actually good to know, also explains why the non-ex doesn't need it.

The Daddy · 2nd March 2007, 14:53

The Daddy 1 - Honda 0

My hunch about splicing cables was correct. If like me and Pottsy you are using the Connects2 aux adapter you can splice the sat nav cables into the adapter loom and save yourself £90!

Here's what I did.

1). Remove centre console, dash panels and unscrew the head unit (See other threads)

2) Release the sat nav cable from the cd changer port

3) Unclip the two hinged back covers on the sat nav cable connector to access the contacts.

4) Remove the wired contacts from the connector by disengaging the retaining clips using an extremely small flat blade screwdriver. I modded one especially with an angle grinder

5) Remove corresponding wires from the Connects2 connector using the same method as step 4.

6) Cut the contacts from the Connects2 wires released in step 5 and strip the insulation 3-5mm from the end.

7) You can now solder the wires or reuse the rear crimp on the sat nav cable contacts which I have done.

Cables should be connected as follows:

Honda Blue wire terminated with Connects2 Yellow wire
Honda Pink wire terminated with Connects2 Black wire
Honda Grey wire terminated with Connects2 Blue wire

8) Now Load the contacts back into their original positions in the connector making sure they click in and close the hinged rear covers on the connector.

9) Now connect the newly wired connector to the cd changer port and connect it to the Adapter box/Ipod before testing the system.

10) If testing is successful reassemble the head unit/dash, Job done!

You will now have 'extension' on the audio screen of the sat nav when the Ipod or other mp3 player is selected. You can use cd/aux on the dash or press the mode button on the steering wheel to change between sources. You can also adjust volume as normal but you will have to use the click wheel to skip tracks etc. You will have full control of the Ipod via the click wheel.

Total cost £39.99 for CTVHOX001 Connects2 adapter kit and a couple of hours labour.

generationgav · 2nd March 2007, 16:54

Excellent! I've not got the EX but that's brilliant for everyone.
For another £50 you could get full control on your dash. Via the H/K adaptor.

http://www.harmankardon.com/drive-1/

Pottsy · 2nd March 2007, 16:59

This is really good news - I'll build a proper wiki article on the whole subject after work tomorrow.

czechplastik · 2nd March 2007, 17:33

On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the most difficult how easy is this to do for the average person?

25th February 2007, 15:26	#1 (permalink)
Lex Valve Cap Join Date: 18th February 2007 Posts: 14	[AUX in] Ipod Connection in EX Apologies if this is common knowledge already. As has already been mentioned, the ipod connection for the civic has been some what of an after thought and could have been so much better. The ipod connection was part of the deal with my car (didn't know its limitations at this point) and was supplied and fitted by the dealer who informed me it was a £225 option. As it was the first ipod connection they had fitted it took 3 hours as opposed to the 1 hour quoted! I noted that when the car was returned that the clock was out and wouldn't let me reset the time . It was later returned to the dealer for this and other problems and I was told that the EX model, because it had sat nav etc required a further cable to connect all the devices. Luckily it was part of the deal otherwise this cable would have cost me £92. Thus taking the total cost of the ipod connection for the EX to £317!!!! I do like the crystal clear sound quality from the connector, not like the interference I used to get with a FM transmitter but still disappointed overall. I was really hoping that the input wheel/ sat nav control would have doubled as the ipod click wheel with some sort of menu on screen, obviously too good to be true. I have also noticed that the EX does not have a random play button on the stereo which means that the playlists etc cannot be played randomly. The CD can be by using the random play voice command but this does not work with the ipod. So to sum up, For £317 all you get is 7 playlists, 'Honda1' - 'Honda7' (so the car will recognise them) or playing the entire music content of the ipod (podcasts etc not played) from start to finish without the option of doing it in random play! Poor effort Honda, get the finger out and get it sorted! Last edited by Lex : 25th February 2007 at 15:28. Reason: spelling

25th February 2007, 19:30	#5 (permalink)
The Daddy Valve Cap Join Date: 8th February 2007 Location: Nottingham Posts: 11	Ipod connection in EX I too had a demo of the crappy Honda kit at my local dealer. I have tried in vain to get the Dension B unit but was told that this had been discontinued and that Dension were currently revamping the A unit to work on both the current and older civic by Gordon Harwood Computers where Tucker got his. Got sick of waiting for the thumbs up on this so opted instead for the connects2 solution Pottsy has used but without the expensive Honda cable so it has only cost £40 to get it hooked up. Without the extra cable you lose the audio screen on the sat nav. This is a minor annoyance but has anyone found a way around this without the Honda cable? I thought it ought to be possible to splice cables or something? Has anyone cracked this minor problem without resorting to a 90 quid Honda cable?

2nd March 2007, 14:53	#17 (permalink)
The Daddy Valve Cap Join Date: 8th February 2007 Location: Nottingham Posts: 11	Sorted Ipod in EX with no £90 Honda cable!! The Daddy 1 - Honda 0 My hunch about splicing cables was correct. If like me and Pottsy you are using the Connects2 aux adapter you can splice the sat nav cables into the adapter loom and save yourself £90! Here's what I did. 1). Remove centre console, dash panels and unscrew the head unit (See other threads) 2) Release the sat nav cable from the cd changer port 3) Unclip the two hinged back covers on the sat nav cable connector to access the contacts. 4) Remove the wired contacts from the connector by disengaging the retaining clips using an extremely small flat blade screwdriver. I modded one especially with an angle grinder 5) Remove corresponding wires from the Connects2 connector using the same method as step 4. 6) Cut the contacts from the Connects2 wires released in step 5 and strip the insulation 3-5mm from the end. 7) You can now solder the wires or reuse the rear crimp on the sat nav cable contacts which I have done. Cables should be connected as follows: Honda Blue wire terminated with Connects2 Yellow wire Honda Pink wire terminated with Connects2 Black wire Honda Grey wire terminated with Connects2 Blue wire 8) Now Load the contacts back into their original positions in the connector making sure they click in and close the hinged rear covers on the connector. 9) Now connect the newly wired connector to the cd changer port and connect it to the Adapter box/Ipod before testing the system. 10) If testing is successful reassemble the head unit/dash, Job done! You will now have 'extension' on the audio screen of the sat nav when the Ipod or other mp3 player is selected. You can use cd/aux on the dash or press the mode button on the steering wheel to change between sources. You can also adjust volume as normal but you will have to use the click wheel to skip tracks etc. You will have full control of the Ipod via the click wheel. Total cost £39.99 for CTVHOX001 Connects2 adapter kit and a couple of hours labour.

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This thread is about: [AUX in] Ipod Connection in EX, it's in Ipods, MP3 Players and ICE at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; Apologies if this is common knowledge already. As has already been mentioned, the ipod connection for the civic has been some what of an after ...

25th February 2007, 15:49	#2 (permalink)
basegreen Super Moderator Civinfo guru Join Date: 15th April 2006 Location: noitacoL Posts: 2,865	And people still say that this link is worth it?

25th February 2007, 16:46	#3 (permalink)
gray52 Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 23rd November 2006 Location: peterborough Posts: 798	total rip off!

25th February 2007, 17:35	#4 (permalink)
czechplastik King of the rodeo Civinfo guru Join Date: 24th October 2006 Location: Belfast Posts: 4,493	Thanks for the review.... just serves to make me more angry!

25th February 2007, 22:06	#6 (permalink)
gray52 Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 23rd November 2006 Location: peterborough Posts: 798	I Would Pay That Price If You Could Play Your Videos From The Ipod To The Exs Screen. Im Going To Look Into Getting This Done As There Must Be Someone You Can Do It.

26th February 2007, 18:09	#9 (permalink)
The Daddy Valve Cap Join Date: 8th February 2007 Location: Nottingham Posts: 11	I did realise that having been researching various Ipod solutions for several weeks before parting with any cash! But what you don't realise is that in the EX there is and audio screen on the sat nav that does display track info etc for mp3 & wma cd's which I've also been using and as a result of connecting the ipod I've lost this screen!! As i said a minor annoyance but I am planning on splicing the cable to the new connector somehow which will restore this nice feature if I ever want to play an mp3 cd and display track info.

27th February 2007, 08:50	#11 (permalink)
The Daddy Valve Cap Join Date: 8th February 2007 Location: Nottingham Posts: 11	I have used the Connects2 adapter which plugs into the cd changer port and converts it to an aux in. In the EX the CD changer port is already taken by a standard 14 pin connector with 3 wires attached that relay audio information to the factory fitted sat nav. In order to connect the Connects2 this cable has to be unplugged hence why you lose the audio screen on the sat nav screen period! I am guessing in the 1.4 with no sat nav the cd changer port is not taken up by anything when it leaves the factory unless you opted for a cd changer?? This bus cable that honda sell for 90 quid somehow allows you to connect the 3 wires I disconnected back to the sat nav hence giving you your track names for mp3 cd's etc. I know the Ipod will not send any info to the screen but I'm not too bothered about this and the official Honda one doesn't do this anyway, which is appalling to say how much it costs!! What I am proposing to do next is to reconnect the 3 wires I removed to the connects2 connector (which has enough spare pin positions) to restore the sat nav audio screen. If the pin contacts are not detachable then a splice into the standard cable positions should do the trick. I'll post here when I've worked it out, failing that looks like mr Honda will have my pants down for another £90!!

27th February 2007, 12:49	#12 (permalink)
generationgav Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 29th May 2006 Posts: 727	Does the display above the clock still work? Did it even ever display which song was playing? And does it still now?

27th February 2007, 18:16	#13 (permalink)
The Daddy Valve Cap Join Date: 8th February 2007 Location: Nottingham Posts: 11	If you mean the multi information display for audio, climate and clock then yes this has always worked fine and still does it's just the audio display on the sat nav. I will experiment with the wires a bit I think.

27th February 2007, 18:28	#14 (permalink)
Typerkid Valve Cap Join Date: 31st January 2007 Location: Sunny Glasgow Posts: 45	as a type r owner in the waiting i had ordered the ipod connector but after reading so many bad stories about it i cant understand why honda have not done better in this department. build great cars then let us down over a easy installation

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2nd March 2007, 16:54	#18 (permalink)
generationgav Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 29th May 2006 Posts: 727	Excellent! I've not got the EX but that's brilliant for everyone. For another £50 you could get full control on your dash. Via the H/K adaptor. http://www.harmankardon.com/drive-1/

2nd March 2007, 16:59	#19 (permalink)
Pottsy Administrator Civinfo guru Join Date: 9th April 2006 Location: Leics Posts: 4,333	This is really good news - I'll build a proper wiki article on the whole subject after work tomorrow.

2nd March 2007, 17:33	#20 (permalink)
czechplastik King of the rodeo Civinfo guru Join Date: 24th October 2006 Location: Belfast Posts: 4,493	On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the most difficult how easy is this to do for the average person?