jazzymt

OK...now I am a little nervous. I installed the board over my lunch break and ran into some trouble. Once everything was reconnected and I started teh car, everything seems to work but the HVAC controls. The radio works; I wasn't able to test the aux in because I forgot the cable but a CD played so I think I have it all connected correctly. The air does come on full speed but no display...any one have any ideas what I could have srewed up or missed?

You must have not connected the AC control cable. If your stereo display works (ie. the display is connected properly), there's nothing else that could be causing that.

Yea, it should be fine. It's meant to function as a pre-amp for line level audio, so you'd be using it exactly as intended. I'm suprised your Starmate doesn't cut the mustard though - is that a portable unit & you're using the headphone jack or something?

 

~edit~ BTW - this is officially the 1000th reply for this thread. Woot! Masta - you got the 1000th post.

As an update, due to the problems some people experienced with the 1/8" to RCA adapters, I'm dropping that accessory and replacing it with a female RCA to 1/8" Male cable. This will reduce the number of components and connections by one in the PRO kit, so there will only be an RCA GLI, a male RCA to 1/8" cable and a female RCA to 1/8" cable. This will also result in lowering the price of the PRO kit by $5. Once I receive the new parts, I'll add them to the website and I'll lower the price of the PRO kit - until then, I'm substituting retail Radio Shack RCA to 1/8" adapters.

 

I also want to sincerely thank everyone for helping to make this project so successful. It's really fun to be involved in helping so many people mod their Subarus. Hopefully in the future I can do something more in line with my area of expertise, but until then, the "day job" will have to suffice. Have a good weekend everyone.

And now it's out of stock again. ...I'm wondering if anyone has experience with how quickly these are replenished or if there's somewhere else to get them? Is it best to stick with this brand/model, or are any likely to work just as well?

The PAC GLI is a good brand because it has uneven windings (1.3:1) that provides some gain to your audio signal to offset the loss of going through a passive transformer. On the other hand, I'm not sure if anyone could tell the difference between one GLI or another, especially in a car stereo.

 

I dunno why someone else doesn't make a GLI with 1/8" connections, but PAC seems to be the only one that really does this and even THEY make that only as a special item for Crutchfield. If you go to their website, you won't even find an 1/8" GLI. Likely, someone is modding the RCA GLI in their basement and selling them through Crutchfield for a %20 markup...hrm...

 

Anyway, you could be in for a long wait...Crutchfield sometimes backorders them for 3-4 weeks, extending the backorder one week at a time. You might be better off just going to wally world and getting the components (including the RCA GLI) to do it yourself, especially if you're trying to plan a specific install day soon.

Damn you Jazzy! I just recieved the board and my GLI came from Crutchfield today too.....must resist the urge to install. I know I should wait for the weekend so I have plenty of daylight but it is just so tempting. I am tired of having to change the radio station constantly for hte XM

Bah! Don't wait. It's an easy afternoon install. I promise.

Thanks guys. Glad to hear the installs are still going well. News like that never gets old.

Matt, I think you might have set a record for a first time install. It sounds like you have a bad CD though. Happens sometimes. I've been fighting my CD burner a bit lately, so I wouldn't be suprised. Your best bet is to follow the link Malvic posted to burn another CD for yourself. Sorry about the bum CD.

 

I'll probably buy a new burner tonight...dunno what's up with this one, but it puts out a lot more coasters than I'd like. Firmware update seemed to help some, but not enough.

Wow...that is way too many people having the same problem. Sorry guys, it looks like the last batch of 1/8" to RCA adapters are crap quality. I'll refund the cost of it for all those that are having problems (just shoot me a PM or an email with your full name) so you can get a new one at Radio Shack or something and will look for a new vendor to get them from in the future.

If you can, start your work in the light eh? I dunno why everyone tries to do this mod in the dark, but it doesn't help. The magnetic pickup tool really can be handy. Some towels or old T-shirts to help protect trim pieces is also a very good idea. Other than that, you should be fine.

 

If you modded an xbox, this will be a walk in the park in comparison. I modded my Xbox and it was a huge pain in the but...in the end, I sorta broke the power button, but it still works (if I hold the power & eject buttons together on startup. ). Anyway, have no fear. Your installs will be a piece of cake, +1 especially the second one. Just remember:

 

Aux board -> Y-cable -> GLI -> RCA adapter -> 1/8" Extension cable -> audio device

It's good to see so many new Outback members, both old and new! Welcome!

Jazzy,

I noticed that my plug wasn't "completely flush" against the port on the board. I thought it was normal and used some heat glue to keep it in place, because it had an usual amount of play. Could this cause a short of some sort?

No it won't hurt anything, but you shouldn't need the glue. It's very snug when you plug it in completely.

Thanks Jazzy' date=' I'll recheck all the plugs this weekend. [b']The fact that it did work for a week and that the left side came back on 2 times since I noticed the problem[/b], makes me think that your comment about the left channel dying might be the answer. I'll let you know what I find out.

Uh...yea, you failed to mention that part. That sounds exactly like the problem the other guy had. If it's not just a cable jostling loose (still entirely possible), I'll definitely replace the board for you. Just let me know.

Uh...yea. Whatever you plug in would go through all the same processing as your in-dash CD changer.

Yea, I'd say probably one of the mini-jacks isn't completely seated. Often, the cable looks OK, but isn't totally seated in the jack on the board itself - the plug should insert so it's completely flush.

 

Or, perhaps the RCA splitter isn't snuggly connected. I've had a couple that didn't fit well...if that's the case I'd be happy to send a replacement. If it feels snug, then that's probably not the problem though.

 

If you try all of those things, and you're still certain the cords are ok, then I can send you a replacement board. I have had one (out of 500 so far) that the left channel slowly died on - I'm guessing something inside the jack broke. It's unlikely, but a possible last resort.

 

Keep us updated. I'd be happy to help however I can.

Congrats on more good installs everyone.

 

I have a small request though - could someone tell me the part number listed on the front of the 1CD radio? For example, 6CD is P-201UH and the 6CD MP3 is P-201UE. Anyone?

If you're up to it, you're certainly welcome to post the full story here Lolo. I don't want anyone to get the impression they're not getting the whole story with 1CD installs. I certainly am willing to help with whatever I can when people run into problems, but there's only so much I can do never having installed on in a 2.5i myself.

Thanks for the words of support guys. Yes, there have been a couple problems with 1CD installs, but I think there's probably a couple dozen or more that have gone fine by now that no one has talked about. Hard to say, since I don't know what people are ordering them for, but I've had at least that many inquiries for 1CD radios. The main piece of info I was missing is covered fairly well in the Metra install instructions, which points out the correct place to remove the manual climate control cable is up higher in the dash, not at the controls (which resulted in the calibration issue).

 

As far as total sales...um...I'm not sure. I've been so busy lately, it's everything I can do just to keep up with orders, my house, my -day- job, my fiance that's graduating college this week, the soon-to-be-in-laws that will be here Friday, stage2 upgrade on the scooby, etc. It's pretty hectic. I'd say it's somewhere between 450-500 orders now though. Pretty insane when I think about it. All I wanted to do was help 10-15 people use centerpunch's idea and get myself a nice prototype. Well, that's history now. Anyway, I appreciate the support, the orders & this kick arse subaru site. Everyone enjoy your tunes this summer. Hopefully in a few weeks, when I've made some good progress on the house again I can get back to moving forward on other subaru audio projects.

I should get a commission or something. Seriously, it deserves to be stuck.

What, do you want a cookie? Well thanks guys. I'm not sure how much good a 60 page thread does stickied, but hopefully there's some good info on the first and last page.

Coz - welcome to the site! As far as the manual install, the only significant difference is removing the stereo + manual climate controls from the dash. There is an extra cable that needs to be disconnected to pull it out. It's outlined in Metra's dash kit instructions (another option for ya btw) attached. The rest is basically the same as the Legacy/Outback 6CD install.

Anyone's A/C not work after the install? I have Auto Air, the fans are working fine but no cooling.

 

Also, anyone take theirs in for service on the A/C or radio with the board installed, or should I pull it?

I would pull it if you're specifically having the AC or radio serviced. I'm not sure I understand what's wrong though. Does the display still work? and do the other climate controls work? Or is the whole thing dead?

No big deal.

 

I got a dock-connector-to-3.5 mm cable that's unpowered, so it turns out I have a GLI-free solution with line level. At least it's one fewer set of plugs between the source and the receiver

Beauty! Care to share that with other members? I don't have an iPod, so I'm not up to date on this stuff and I don't think I've seen a post on an adapter that's unpowered and provides a line level out...at least, not specifically.

D'OH! I Wish you'd said this before I bought my just-in-case GLI.

 

Maybe add it to the FAQ or the top page of the thread?

Sorry. It's still a very handy device to have around (just in case). Also, I've stopped relying on anyone at all reading the FAQ...or even the first few lines of the first post. I've answered every question so many times, via PM, email and forum posts that I've essentially given up. If you're using an iPod, likely you'll want to add a powered charger though to get a line level out...in which case, the GLI becomes useful.

Today, the red backlight on my stereo went out along with the two little lights that are plugged into the ash tray + cigarette lighter next to the shifter (I actually removed that assembly to make way for my HK Drive+Play screen and snipped the wires from the cig lighter to supply the HK drive + play.

 

That all three lights went out at the same time smells of some specific issues, but I don't really see exactly what would do it.

Yea, I'd have to agree, but I don't know what it could be. I would think a fuse would knock out the whole radio. You only lost illumination right? Not the whole display? Maybe the illumination pin on your radio is loose?

MUCH to my annoyance, I can't find or even buy a 2006 subaru outback service manual, so I'm sort of forced to rely on the dipshits at the dealership, who of course want to charge me for any help.

Vacation Pics might help relax you.

OH - does anyone know how the hell you get the center console to snap back into those little round plastic pieces in the front? I have tried and tried but I can't figure out how to get them back in.

Did you slide them out horizontally, or did you pop them out vertically? I just took mine apart again (like the umpteenth time I've had my dash apart) to install subwoofer amp wires and after popping it up, I just lined it up and a good "technical tap" seated it back in. It doesn't take much - perhaps your pins are out of alignment? If you slid it backwards, I'm afraid I don't know how to get it back in - several others have reported problems with this method.

Actually, I focused on aux-in because it can also be used for many non-mp3 devices. Specifically, I'm using XM radio in my car, which was officially the first thing for one of these boards to be hooked up to Also, others have hooked up Nav & carputers. I wanted to use a term as general as possible, although admittedly, I could still probably get more sales by focusing purely on the iPod consumer.

Catriona, congrats on the new subie. Yea, I've used AC transformers with similar results to your own. If they don't ground one side of the transformer, it actually isolates itself from the battery, so you shouldn't get ground loop noise, but these things are rarely so simple to predict.

 

To give you a straight answer for now though, yes, you can just add the 1/8" GLI from crutchfield later pretty easily if you find you do get noise...and if not...then you can just forget about it and enjoy the music.