Octy 2 MP3 adapter

[downtime]

Originally Posted by domhnall

There's no magazine to use in my changer, you just load CDs into the slot and it was fully loaded. I tried it initially without the CD changer connected just to se if the MP3 part would work but there was no sound at all. When I plugged the changer in to the xcarlink then I got MP3 sound coming through but no CD changer. And there was no way to control the music using the HU or steering wheel controls, I had to use the controls on my MP3 player.

I don't see that I can have hooked anythign up wrongly, the leads only really fit one way :-(

Still awaiting a response from the supplier though.

One more question and maybe a stupid one, but where did you ground the extra grounding wire on the xcarlink wire harness?

Also the quadlock connector what is supplied with the xcarlink is C-R-A-P!
I removed the blue connector plastic and just plugged the black part straight to the cd-changer port on the connector block. The problem with the blue thing is that the black connector housing inside it moves when you push it into it's place and it doesn't provide a very reliable connection.

[domhnall]

Originally Posted by downtime

One more question and maybe a stupid one, but where did you ground the extra grounding wire on the xcarlink wire harness?

Also the quadlock connector what is supplied with the xcarlink is C-R-A-P!
I removed the blue connector plastic and just plugged the black part straight to the cd-changer port on the connector block. The problem with the blue thing is that the black connector housing inside it moves when you push it into it's place and it doesn't provide a very reliable connection.

Oops, I didn't hook the 2nd earth up (the manual didn't mention it so I reckoned it wasn't strictly necessary). Do you reckon that could be the issue?

I know what you mean about the connector, but I'm now confused about colours. The connector block on the car's wiring is blue. I disconnected that and plugged the xcarlink into the back of the HU. I then plugged the other end of the xcarlink into the blue connector block (having first removed the black cover as it was too small to fit over the blue connector). That seemed to fit the manual in terms of males going to femalee etc but now I'm doubting myself.

Sorry to sound vague but I'm in a train from London to Edinburgh just now and the car's in Edinburgh so it's not that easy to refer to :-)

[downtime]

Originally Posted by domhnall

Oops, I didn't hook the 2nd earth up (the manual didn't mention it so I reckoned it wasn't strictly necessary). Do you reckon that could be the issue?

I know what you mean about the connector, but I'm now confused about colours. The connector block on the car's wiring is blue. I disconnected that and plugged the xcarlink into the back of the HU. I then plugged the other end of the xcarlink into the blue connector block (having first removed the black cover as it was too small to fit over the blue connector). That seemed to fit the manual in terms of males going to femalee etc but now I'm doubting myself.

Sorry to sound vague but I'm in a train from London to Edinburgh just now and the car's in Edinburgh so it's not that easy to refer to :-)

Yes, the 2nd earth is necessary. The unit doesn't power up properly if that's not connected.

From what I understood from your explanation the quadlock connection should be ok

[domhnall]

Originally Posted by downtime

Yes, the 2nd earth is necessary. The unit doesn't power up properly if that's not connected.

From what I understood from your explanation the quadlock connection should be ok

Oops :-)

I'll have another go then before I get too stroppy with them. Not that they've replied so far! I hope it does work as it looks like just what I'm after.

cheers for your help, will let you know if it works.

[domhnall]

well that didn't work, checked all the conenctions and the earthing and it still would not allow the changer to work and there was no way to use th HU controls at all. So it's gone back in the post!

[downtime]

Originally Posted by domhnall

well that didn't work, checked all the conenctions and the earthing and it still would not allow the changer to work and there was no way to use th HU controls at all. So it's gone back in the post!

Where did you ground the extra ground wire? To the radio frame?

[domhnall]

Originally Posted by downtime

Where did you ground the extra ground wire? To the radio frame?

yeah on to the radio frame, there wasn't really anywhere else in there that I could use, all just plastic - it's not the longest of wires.

[downtime]

Originally Posted by domhnall

yeah on to the radio frame, there wasn't really anywhere else in there that I could use, all just plastic - it's not the longest of wires.

That's where the instuctions also tell you to ground the wire. I have mine grounded under the torx screw which hold the bottom part of the radio surround to it's place. There's a grounding spot just under it. This way I don't have to unscrew anything when I take the radio off.

Seems like a defect unit. Have it replaced. Hopefully the next one is better.

[domhnall]

yeah, posted it back yesterday, the wiring into the back of the unit was a bit ropey looking too so I reckon it was a duff unit. Fingers crossed the next one will be better.

[domhnall]

Looks like this may have been an expensive waste of time, I posted the faulty unti back special delivery, they denied receiving it, then a week ago admitted they had received it and would get back to me, since then nothing.

Hindsight is a great thing but only now have I noticed that there is no contact number or address on th web site which is never a great sign is it?

Looks like they're a dodgy crowd who are best avoided :-(

[downtime]

Originally Posted by domhnall

Looks like this may have been an expensive waste of time, I posted the faulty unti back special delivery, they denied receiving it, then a week ago admitted they had received it and would get back to me, since then nothing.

Hindsight is a great thing but only now have I noticed that there is no contact number or address on th web site which is never a great sign is it?

Looks like they're a dodgy crowd who are best avoided :-(

Just read the entire thread again and noticed that you didn't use a USB stick did you? You just used the Aux-in port on the Xcarlink, right?

When using the aux-in you cannot control the source from steering wheel controls or from HU controls. Tracks have to be changed from the source unit itself.

The steering wheel and HU controls only work when playing mp3's from USB stick
connected to the USB port of the XCarlink.

Also if you have anything connected to the xcarlink, either USB or Aux-in, it will automatically cut off the cd-changer.

[Coe]

I'll borrow this thread as I also received my Xcarlink today.

However, mine is with a wrong connector... I have HU with Stream radio, but the Xcarlink came with a 8-pin connector like this
http://www.conofrei.com/images/blue.jpg.

Do you think if there's an adapter in the market from this connector to the 2x6-pin connector used in Skoda Stream?

I'm tempted to find a diagram for both of the connectors and try making a Patent Solution (tm) to connect Xcarlink.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

[domhnall]

Originally Posted by downtime

Just read the entire thread again and noticed that you didn't use a USB stick did you? You just used the Aux-in port on the Xcarlink, right?

When using the aux-in you cannot control the source from steering wheel controls or from HU controls. Tracks have to be changed from the source unit itself.

The steering wheel and HU controls only work when playing mp3's from USB stick
connected to the USB port of the XCarlink.

Also if you have anything connected to the xcarlink, either USB or Aux-in, it will automatically cut off the cd-changer.

aha! Thanks that is good to know, but it doesn't solve everything. The CD changer was cut off even with nothing connected. All academic now as they have got my money and they have the unit and I have nothing :-(

[downtime]

Originally Posted by Coe

I'll borrow this thread as I also received my Xcarlink today.

However, mine is with a wrong connector... I have HU with Stream radio, but the Xcarlink came with a 8-pin connector like this
http://www.conofrei.com/images/blue.jpg.

Do you think if there's an adapter in the market from this connector to the 2x6-pin connector used in Skoda Stream?

I'm tempted to find a diagram for both of the connectors and try making a Patent Solution (tm) to connect Xcarlink.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

That seems to be the normal ISO-connector for older radio models. You can buy the Quadlock connector separately.

3B7 035 447 A 12-pin media connector (blue for cd changer)

I think the wiring isn't too hard to change.

Edit :

Changed the part number to correct one for cd changer connector.

[Coe]

Originally Posted by downtime

That seems to be the normal ISO-connector for older radio models. You can buy the Quadlock connector separately.

3B7 035 447 B 12-pin media connector (part number taken from Stu's site)

That part should be ok even though it's green and meant for telephone part of the quadlock. CD changer connector is blue.

Thanks!

Just to confirm, that's a Skoda part number? Does it come with contacts as well?

(I'm located here in Finland as well, so if you know any "local" store that can help me, any info is very much appreciated)

[domhnall]

phew! I eventually found a phone number and contacted the supplier. Seems they were just waiting for more stock. A new unit arrived today and finally seems to work!

Thanks to everyone for their help in ths thread.

Domhnall

[domhnall]

hmmm, these things are temperamental aren't they? I got it all installed and seems to work, but the CD changer only seems to work now and then, on a fairly random basis. Has anyone got any tips on which obscure combiantion of button presses might do it as I can't figure it out! :-)

thanks in advance

Domhnall

[downtime]

Originally Posted by domhnall

hmmm, these things are temperamental aren't they? I got it all installed and seems to work, but the CD changer only seems to work now and then, on a fairly random basis. Has anyone got any tips on which obscure combiantion of button presses might do it as I can't figure it out! :-)

thanks in advance

Domhnall

I think there's been similar problems. Do you have magazine version of the cd-changer?

When it doesn't find the actual cd-changer you can eject the magazine and put it back in. Try if it finds the cd-changer then.

[domhnall]

Originally Posted by downtime

I think there's been similar problems. Do you have magazine version of the cd-changer?

When it doesn't find the actual cd-changer you can eject the magazine and put it back in. Try if it finds the cd-changer then.

No it's the non magazine kind where you press the number you want to load or unload and then insert or remove the CD. I'm thinking of just sending it back and forgetting the whole idea :-(

[downtime]

Originally Posted by domhnall

No it's the non magazine kind where you press the number you want to load or unload and then insert or remove the CD. I'm thinking of just sending it back and forgetting the whole idea :-(

Or loose the cd-changer Mp3's are much more easier and convenient when played directly from USB stick.