[westcoaster]

we found the bug. we had the sodering points mixed up. all good now. sounds like it should.
this hack is gold!

 

[Hong Kong]

we found the bug. we had the sodering points mixed up. all good now. sounds like it should.
this hack is gold!

Im glad to hear that you solved soldering problemm. Yes I wrote many times that here need to be right small head and check
all twice with optical lens. Remember for good power try to find good adapter as many chinese dont have almost any RF filtration
or feritte rings ect...

 

[RedGeminiPA]

I did this yesterday. I ran the wires down the D-pillar corner, along the 3rd row seat, tucked it under the rocker trim, and fed them through the bottom of the dash to the passenger's side, for now, until I get a drill bit to install the flush mount AUX port.

Has anyone found a good solution to filter out the noise from chargers, or found a good charger and can share a link to buy one? I'm using mine with a Bluetooth kit, and it's my primary reason for doing this. If it weren't for this terrible noise, it would sound excellent... better than CDs, even.

 

[RedGeminiPA]

I ordered a 3.5mm ground loop isolator after a lot of research. This seemed to be a pretty common issue with earlier car AUX ports, so there is a lot of info out there. The consensus is this will cure the problem. I'll update my findings as soon as it arrives.

 

[atraudes]

I wonder if using a cable with ferrites on either end would do the trick. I remember having problems with the picture cutting out and getting corrupted when using my Roku in the house until I switched to an HDMI cable that had them. When I get around to doing this project I'll make sure the cable I use has them and report back!

 

[RedGeminiPA]

So, the 3.5mm ground loop isolator came today. It solves the problem, but creates a new problem...

Now the FM stations can be heard, pretty clearly, but faintly, when using the AUX. Any quieter parts of music, or the silence between songs, and the radio is clearly heard. Since I cut the R9 on the board, it works great on AM mode, but now I lose Dolby Pro Logic/surround sound.

So, Hong Kong... do you know how to cut the FM frequency similar to the R9 for AM? I really don't have any need for FM radio, so it's not a problem for me to lose it.

 

[jschaefer7406]

Hello all,

How is the sound quality when using AM mode? Thinking of doing this in our XC90. Currently have the Sirius inline with the FM antenna trace (FM direct adapter), and sound is okay, but not great. Ruined most FM reception though, only get one station...

So, is the quality near CD quality when using AM mode with this mod?

Also, do you necessarily HAVE to disconnect to return to FM, or will killing the source (i.e., turning off the Sirius receiver) do the trick?

Thanks!

Joe

 

[RedGeminiPA]

I've been using mine on AM, and it sounds good, overall. Maybe not quite as good as GROM would offer, but definitely closer to CD quality. Starting with a road trip yesterday, I started using FM, since I really missed the sound of the Pro Logic system. I can kinda deal with hearing the FM station coming through a little.

I haven't unplugged mine, but everyone says it has to be unplugged to listen to FM radio.

Calling Hong Kong! Any idea if we can cut the feed for FM similar to the R9 for AM?

 

[jschaefer7406]

So, in theory, what happens if you don't cut the R9 feed at all? Can you simply tune to an open AM station and avoid background noise?

Just thinking down the road. We don't use AM at all, but never know when we'd want to catch a drive-in movie, etc...

Thanks all,

Joe

 

[RedGeminiPA]

You'll most likely have background noise on AM if you don't cut the line. Even a blank station will produce static that you'll hear.

 

[Hong Kong]

I've been using mine on AM, and it sounds good, overall. Maybe not quite as good as GROM would offer, but definitely closer to CD quality. Starting with a road trip yesterday, I started using FM, since I really missed the sound of the Pro Logic system. I can kinda deal with hearing the FM station coming through a little.

I haven't unplugged mine, but everyone says it has to be unplugged to listen to FM radio.

Calling Hong Kong! Any idea if we can cut the feed for FM similar to the R9 for AM?

Yes there is the inline imput also for FM but Im not suggesting to totaly cut off as on the same signal its also Rti signal and this can have impact on Navi as navi also use Rti signal if you go to menu of rti navi you can find that they use some stations for receive signals what rti navi need. Please do not think about as i know chips and system simply im not reccomending. [emoji12] [emoji341] [emoji343]
Better to install on power 5Volts charger good radio and interference filtration.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[RedGeminiPA]

Yes there is the inline imput also for FM but Im not suggesting to totaly cut off as on the same signal its also Rti signal and this can have impact on Navi as navi also use Rti signal if you go to menu of rti navi you can find that they use some stations for receive signals what rti navi need. Please do not think about as i know chips and system simply im not reccomending. [emoji12] [emoji341] [emoji343]
Better to install on power 5Volts charger good radio and interference filtration.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Mine does not have navigation...

 

[jschaefer7406]

Going to attempt this tonight wish me luck everyone! Lol

One other question. Does anyone know for sure if the tuner module is swappable between cars? Assume so, but wanted to check. I have a spare that I will probably try the "surgery" on, so I can keep the original just in case...

Thanks!

Joe

 

[RedGeminiPA]

I'm not sure if they're interchangeable between models. I believe there was a change in the XC90's sometime for either 2004 or 2005, as someone posted on here about theirs being setup differently than what was pictured.

In hindsight, I wish I would've done mine differently. I'd recommend using a short set of RCAs for the soldering, and use connectors to connect that to the longer set going to the front. That'll make it much easier if you have to remove it for any reason.

 

[nascenta]

Great suggestion. Thanks

 

[jschaefer7406]

Ok all, it's done .

Did this Saturday before our trip, and it works great. Almost seems like the channels are backward, even though I soldered as advised. Very few songs have any differentiating parts, so doubt anyone will notice lol. Noticed the radio on Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" intro was in the LH channel, supposed to be RH. But no biggie

Do have an alternator whine though, and it's not related to this, but hope someone can help. I ran a male 3.5 to the console for the iPod, and it's whisper quiet. However, when I connect the Sirius receiver (uses a 3.5 extension with female end in the console), then the alternator hum appears. It's power source is the lighter circuit, but is hardwired below the steering wheel. Think a ground loop isolator will help here, or?

Thanks in advance, and thanks for the awesome write-up HK!

Joe

 

[RedGeminiPA]

Ok all, it's done .

Did this Saturday before our trip, and it works great. Almost seems like the channels are backward, even though I soldered as advised. Very few songs have any differentiating parts, so doubt anyone will notice lol. Noticed the radio on Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" intro was in the LH channel, supposed to be RH. But no biggie

Do have an alternator whine though, and it's not related to this, but hope someone can help. I ran a male 3.5 to the console for the iPod, and it's whisper quiet. However, when I connect the Sirius receiver (uses a 3.5 extension with female end in the console), then the alternator hum appears. It's power source is the lighter circuit, but is hardwired below the steering wheel. Think a ground loop isolator will help here, or?

Thanks in advance, and thanks for the awesome write-up HK!

Joe

Easy fix for reversed channels - swap the RCA cables at your AUX port... problem solved.

Yes, ground loop isolator will solve the problem, as far as the whine. I did a 3.5mm version. The problem is, the radio stations will be clearly heard, but at reduced volume. If you cut the R9 for AM, you can use that. If you have Dolby Pro Logic II, you won't with AM. I tuned FM to a dead station, so I just hear faint static. It's still better than alternator whine.

The whine seems to come from just about any powered audio source, and trying a billion different chargers until I find one that won't produce it isn't an option for me. I'll use the solution I have until Hong Kong can provide more details on cutting the FM feed. As I mentioned above, mine doesn't have navigation to worry about.

 

[jschaefer7406]

Thanks, Red.

I didn't use RCA's, as I didn't see the recommendation above until after I had purchased cables. So I'm soldered directly from the 3.5 to the back. No biggie, I'm the only one who'll notice for sure lol

My whine is definitely alternator, gone with the engine off and changes with RPM. That the whine you had too, or? Limited info online about an isolator working for that type of noise, we shall see I guess.

Using AM, so no worries there. Cut the R9, too. We have no PLII, but can see why you'd want to use the FM if yours is equipped.

Thanks,

Joe

P.S. - Worthy of mentioning, is that the Sirius has been installed since '13 but was using an FM direct adapter before (soldered in at the FM plug going into the antenna module). Was no whine before, and power source hasn't changed. Maybe the tuner was filtering it out before?

 

[RedGeminiPA]

Thanks, Red.

I didn't use RCA's, as I didn't see the recommendation above until after j had purchased cables. So I'm soldered directly from the 3.5 to the back. No biggie, I'm the only one who'll notice for sure lol

My whine is definitely alternator, gone with the engine off and changes with RPM. That the whine you had too, or? Limited info online about an isolator working for that type of noise, we shall see I guess.

Using AM, so no worries there. Cut the R9, too. We have no PLII, but can see why you'd want to use the FM if yours is equipped.

Thanks,

Joe

P.S. - Worthy of mentioning, is that the Sirius has been installed since '13 but was using an FM direct adapter before (soldered in at the FM plug going into the antenna module). Was no whine before, and power source hasn't changed. Maybe the tuner was filtering it out before?

Gotcha. Tuner was most likely filtering it out before.

This is the one I bought. It works great to eliminate the whine. Works perfect when using AM.

https://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_8987_PAC-SNI-1-3.5.html

If you don't need a power source (battery power), you won't get whine. The noise comes from being plugged into power. Since I'm using this setup for bluetooth, it has to be plugged into power, which is why I don't have a choice but to use a ground loop isolator.

 

[John.Wald]

Hey Hong Kong,

lots of thanks for this excellent write-up!

Did this DIY-hack today and it works great and just like it should! But still I have two questions about it:

1. After the reinstallation of the aux upgraded radio module I first had no more Infotainment at all. ICM was dead, RTI was dead and the 12V socket was dead. I tried a full system reset by disconnecting the battery for 10 minutes but it didn’t help. Then I wanted to check the 12V socket fuse on the left side under the steering wheel. Oddly enough there was no fuse in the corresponding place. Even if the 12V sockets did work before, I wanted to give it a try and put in an appropriate fuse. And voila, Infotainment, RTI and 12v socket started to work again and the new aux as well. But the parking assist doesn’t start working in reverse anymore, radio just keeps playing. Also when I start the car, my DIM tells me Parking Assist Service Required. Did anybody experience this too? How can I solve this problem?

2. I would like to route the aux to the first row center cupholder but can’t find any way to route the cable through. Could somebody explain how to do this in detail?

Thanks a lot and all the best!

Johannes