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Legacy 2009 Caska multimedia system installation.


AlexShu

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Hello all,

 

First of all, sorry for my engrish, typos, lack of photos, low quality photos.

 

Ive read a lot around the internet for some alternative to the stock kenwood stereo that includes GPS, Bluetooth, DVD and blah blah, and the main problem was that the dual zone climate control is not deattachable from the unit.

 

So my only reasonable options were:

 

1. The Double Din panel kit with the reversed control that I would have to cut my car in order to fit the hazard lights switch and it cost 370$ without shipping and 48% tax on automotive parts in my country.

http://www.avojdm.com/product_info.php?products_id=123

 

2. The Double DIN console Panel (that fits instead of the glove box between the vents) + Information Panel Relocation Bracket for the clock, fuel, temperature info. 260$ + 130$ = 390$ and again without shipping and 48% tax.

http://www.avojdm.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_54_60&products_id=108

http://www.avojdm.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_54_60&products_id=107

 

And those two don't include the stereo itself :mad:

 

3. The Caska CA3606G

http://www.caska-europe.eu/index.php?id=80

All got all exited when I found it just because the picture showed the climate control unit

 

Ive found a local dealer of those caska thingies drove 130 km just to find out that the lady on the phone told me that it comes with the climate control unit - was wrong.

 

Opening the box before buying I saw some big holes where the climate control goes, lifting my jaw of the ground asked the dude that in charge of installation, what the hell ?

He answered that the climate thingy comes off and installed in the new unit.

 

After some second of total shock and my brain being restarted, Ive decided to check it out.

 

Ive borrowed a screwdriver from the techies and started to take my car apart in the parking lot 130km from home.

 

and joy oh joy he was right :

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMAG0020.jpg

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMAG0013.jpg

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMAG0012.jpg

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMAG0006.jpg

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMAG0003.jpg

 

My OEM stereo is GX-206LE

The only thing that was connecting the stereo unit to the climate controls is a tiny flat cable (no picture - sorry)

 

The stereo unit was taken apart heavily because you also need to remove the protective glass of the screen and install it in the caska.

I connected the necessary accessories - GPS antenna and Steering wheel button controls, replaced the hazard light switch poped it back in place and drove home.

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMG_4121-1.jpg

 

At home I notice that the tiny wheel that controls the light brightness on the whole dash affects a tiny amount of stuff, not the speedo not the screens just a few buttons and everything else was full bright.

I removed it and started to connect stuff one by one ant the steering wheel buttons control cable found guilty (wtf).

Some research pointed out that if you short the green wire of the light control with anything else, all the lights will go supernova bright.

 

A hunch told me something in the caska cable is wrong and i decided to pull out the red wire (one of three) just because it seemed useless to use 3 wires to connect some buttons that from my knowlage they work on resistance.

Disconnected it using a needle - That solved it, lights dim and buttons work :p

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMG_4111.jpg

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMG_4112.jpg

 

Also had to fight a little with the GPS because I bought it without software and SD card, there is a need in a "maplaunch.ini" file on the sd card that contains the path to the navigation launch file

 

If some one need more info on that I can help.

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMAG0046-1.jpg

 

 

Stuff left to do:

 

1. hack the AUX connection in the car to work with the stereo

2. ordered rear view camera that mounts instead of the license plate lights (smart) and connect it to the system.

http://thumbs1.ebaystatic.com/m/mlY_0JQz_mWpk8lViGv6NhA/140.jpg

 

3. The Bluetooth Microphone is JUNK, I have to shout directly to the unit in order people to hear me. a lot of internet dudes recommended to solder it out and connect a proper external microphone (as it dont have a connection on the back)

 

I promise to take a lot of photos of the process.

 

Here are some photos of how to remove legacy stock stereo

(DON'T SCRATCH YOUR INTERIOR WITH SCREWDRIVERS AND METAL STEREO PARTS - use blankets, clothes, lot of masking tape and PLASTIC REMOVAL TOOLS)

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMAG0047-1.jpg

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMAG0048.jpg

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMAG0049.jpg

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMAG0051-1.jpg

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMAG0056.jpg

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMG_4116.jpg

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMG_4113.jpg

 

 

Overall impression of the unit : CHINA

 

It has a lot off features and optional features like TPMS, DVB-T TV Tuner, parking sensors and camera with steering wheel angle sensor and stuff that costs way over the limit of funny.

 

Stock acc' :

GPS via SD card on windows CE 5.0

5.1 output for amplifiers and stuff

2 AV out to connect some tv screens on the back

Ipod with controls

AV in

Radio

DVD/Divx/MP3 etc.

Bluetooth that is lame - mic sucks and you cant sync your contacts with it (acts as a loud speaker)

Remote

CDC

 

and it all feels china made (things that Ive tested) I will make a video review in the near future.

 

To be continued :rolleyes:

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Looks pretty good... Did you manage to use a screw driver to take everything apart and not leave any scratches??? I suppose there is a first for everything LOL... There are trim removal tools that you can buy that won't scratch anything. Just thought I'd let you know.

 

Keep up the good work. Looking forward to seeing the final result.

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Looks pretty good... Did you manage to use a screw driver to take everything apart and not leave any scratches??? I suppose there is a first for everything LOL... There are trim removal tools that you can buy that won't scratch anything. Just thought I'd let you know.

 

Keep up the good work. Looking forward to seeing the final result.

 

I know about those tools and I have one, you can see it in the picture when I removing the silver circle around the gêar lever.

 

And yes no scratches with a screwdriver :p

 

 

bronconia

 

The web lacks of info on that device and all I see its for 2008 model.

But the form factor is the same for 04-09 doesn't it?

 

About the climate control being independent from the stereo, its still shocks me because i waswas 100% sure it on the same board.

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  • 2 weeks later...

The usual Disclaimer :

I'm not an expert, this will probably mess with your warranty, THIS IS NOT A TUTORIAL, and you should never trust me !!

DO NOT TOUCH WIRES IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING !!!

YOU MAY SET YOUR CAR ON FIRE AND BLOW IT UP !!

 

http://xbss4a.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pHjk9RqomihxszQPuDgvgKtJzilkJURQwbflePdpJCHmXSGUZIf2214f92nvt_7GT7sX6ttq-dtBl3hHxQt2K1r5O9hdvHW9-/IMG_1197.jpg

 

Well, the camera I bought doesn't fit/belongs/designed for my car although it says its for a subaru legacy.

 

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=subaru+legacy+rear+view+camera+&_cqr=true&_nkwusc=subaru+legacy+rear+view+camer&_rdc=1

 

(well maybe the new 2010/2011/2012 models, if anyone got the time to share a picture of his license plate light to compare it would be awesome)

 

So I got the camera and was all exited and stuff, and just in a few minutes I realized that everything is wrong - the size of the camera and the fact that my license plate light won't pop out as easily as the instructions say.

 

the light bulb glass (plastic) cover is glued (fused) to its place and the whole structure is one piece of plastic, so no light going out and cameras going in.

 

took half of the trunk apart removed the trim piece, brought it home, got the glass cover out with a flat screwdriver (broke it a bit), plugged in my dremel, cut the plastic, cut the camera plastic to fit and glued the camera in place with some 2 component epoxy, and placed some foamy adhesive tape to fill the gaps.

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/DSC00924.jpg

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/DSC_9140.jpg

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/DSC_9137.jpg

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/DSC_9141.jpg

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/DSC_9149.jpg

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/DSC_9152.jpg

 

and left it overnight to cure.

 

the next day I took the light connector, cut it, soldered to the new built in light.

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMG_4136.jpg

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMG_4138.jpg

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMG_4139.jpg

 

Assembled the exterior parts, took apart the inside of the boot to run the wires.

 

Power wire (black and red) connects the reverse light, in my case I tapped it into the parking sensor power cables with some Scotch Locks, which were already connected to the reverse lights and also fused so less damage to the car stock wiring and less things to worry about.

 

Video Cable (RCA - Yellow) - goes from the camera to the stereo.

 

+12V reverse light (Blue wire) goes to the stereo as well so it could automaticly switch to rear camera on the screen when in reverse gear.

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMG_4140.jpg

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMG_4146.jpg

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMG_4145.jpg

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMG_4144.jpg

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMG_4143.jpg

 

I failed to take out the trim panels to run the wires there, so I just pushed them under the panels

all the way to the stereo and connected them.

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMG_4150.jpg

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMG_4147.jpg

 

Fixed all the cables with zip-ties an electrical tape, and put all the panels back in place.

and thats the results:

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMG_4159.jpg

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMG_4158.jpg

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/Blinkergrip/legacy/IMG_4157.jpg

 

Forgot to take a photo/video of it in action.

Will do and to be continued.

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  • 3 months later...

Hey Alex,

Just got my Caska from a Caska of Europe. Overall, it was a real bad transaction, but I'll go into the full story another day. But it took 4 months, wrong color, no nav software and they said there were HVAC controls and there are not.

 

Anyway, I have an 06 radio and I just took it completely apart and it's all one circuit board, so I'm out of luck. No one seems to sell just the HVAC controls so I guess I have to buy the entire unit.

 

Also, cars in the US have silver/grey radios and transmission/ash tray trim. The Caska unit is black.(The guy said it would be silver/grey). Anyway looks like your OEM radio and trim is black so maybe I can get a matching black trim piece.

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Hey Alex,

Just got my Caska from a Caska of Europe. Overall, it was a real bad transaction, but I'll go into the full story another day. But it took 4 months, wrong color, no nav software and they said there were HVAC controls and there are not.

 

Anyway, I have an 06 radio and I just took it completely apart and it's all one circuit board, so I'm out of luck. No one seems to sell just the HVAC controls so I guess I have to buy the entire unit.

 

Also, cars in the US have silver/grey radios and transmission/ash tray trim. The Caska unit is black.(The guy said it would be silver/grey). Anyway looks like your OEM radio and trim is black so maybe I can get a matching black trim piece.

So you're in the US and bought one of these?

 

Good luck getting HVAC controls on there.

 

You can always paint your other trim pieces to match the new HU. I really like the black look.

 

Cheers!

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Yeah, I know the HVAC controls is a problem. I was assured muliple times that my unit would have them. All the Caska pics have them...even on the box.

 

Anyway, I guess I'll try and make it work. Anyone know if the 2007-2008 p204UH has a separate board for the HVAC?

 

Also, what is this GX-206LE unit? I can't find it on google other than in this post.

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So, I did a quick hook up of the unit to make sure it wasn't DOA. I tried the CD, radio and iPod. Overall, I'd say it was pretty good. It fit into the dash well and sounded pretty good. The menus are a little odd, but I only spent 10 minutes on it and didn't read the manual so I'm sure I'll get used to it. It is built a bit cheaper than the OEM and the knobs and buttons show it. However, it's reasonable. It is definitely a slick unit as far as features go.

 

Unfortunately, without the HVAC controls it's useless to me. So I'm still trying to figure something out.

 

Anyone know where I can get a GX-206LE?

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  • 1 month later...

I think the OEM radio is a GX-204LE. 206 doesn't seem to show up on Google and if you squint at the pic it looks like an 204.

 

Also, I finally got my nav software so I thought I'd give it a go. No luck. It has a GPS status screen and it can't find any satellites. Bad GPS antenna maybe.

 

If there is some sort of setup I'm supposed to do any help would be appreciated.

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At this point I don't know what country/car the Caska 3606 I bought was intended for. The Caska distributor in Germany I bought it from told me at least 3 times that it was for the US cars and included the HVAC controls.

 

I did finally, after 2 months get an SD card from the guy with the nav software on it. I can't imagine why it took so long. I definitely don't recommend anyone else try dealing with this guy.

 

Anyway, I hooked it up as a test(can't really have a car with no HVAC!) and the Radio, CD, IPod work great. The nav software loads but the system can't get any GPS signal. Of course there are no instructions on how to set it up, but it displays the message "Autodetecting GPS reciever" which never goes away. Maybe, I didn't set it up right or maybe it's a bad antenna or maybe the shit is just broke. Well, I'm not sinking anymore money into this project until I can figure out what to do with the HVAC.

 

Interesting observation: If I use the OEM unit and set the climate to "Auto" and 70 degress, it holds it when I restart the car. So actually, I have driving around for a couple of days like that. Which only makes me wish this had worked out better. Anyway, I'll be back to the OEM unit this weekend.

 

Maybe, I can find a GX204, but so far no luck.

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Turns out the GPS software was configured for the wrong port/buad rate. I suspect my "supplier" just copied the software from another non Caska device. Or maybe just downloaded it. It wonder if it's even a legal copy. Nice, since I paid $65 for it.

 

On the upside, based on my 10 minute test, it seems to work pretty well. I'll play with it some more today.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Hi I am thinking of purchasing the same unit for my JDM 2006 Legacy, I am in New Zealand. It is RHD so wondering if the fit of these are generic or I have to get a specific model?

 

I have confirmed my HVAC appears to be on a separate board. But can someone tell me what the ribbon cable joining the board to the radio unit is for and will it matter if it's disconnected?

 

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/jabz/b69c38ae.jpg

 

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/jabz/f2de55c6.jpg

 

I have to first find a suitable supplier for these Caska units, I have only seen pictures of versions which have the Hazard button on the right which I am assuming is for LHD vehicles. My Hazard button is on the left. So will I need a US/Euro Hazard button?

 

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/jabz/d4e68166.jpg

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julianfast - I wonder if there's a way you could adapt THIS double kit to work for the missing climate controls.

 

The walkthrough to get it working...

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/official-dual-hvac-double-din-jdm-kit-thread-113589.html?t=113589

 

Edit: Sorry, I see you've already found that thread. I'll keep reading but did you end up trying it?

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