Can a Connects2 Aux-in unit replace a factory CD changer on a Symphony

dxg · 09-07-2008, 17:12

I hope someone knows the answer to this...

Basically, I've got a Symphony in a Fabia VRS SE which, obviously, came with a CD changer.

Thing is, I don't use CDs these days and really need to be able to listen to my ipod. Seemed that the cheapest way of doing this would be to get an Aux-in Connects2 unit.

So wired this in this afternoon. Spliced the ground from the Connects2 unit into the chassis ground on the ISO loom and swapped the CD blue CD changer connection for the blue connection from the Connects2.

But all is not well.

Internal CD works fine, but pressing any of the numbers on the headunit just gets a "NO CD CHANGER" message - I had thought that the Connects2 would mimic the changer and play no matter what button was pressed.

It's not playing over the top of the internal CD, either. And ejecting the CD just returns the headunit to FM, as you'd expect.

If you plug the changer lead back in, the errors just change to "NO DISC" (or something like that) as there's nothing in the changer.

HELP!! Has anyone done this before (replaced a changer with a Connects2)?? I would be very grateful for others' comments. Just don't want to have to replace the head unit just to get an aux-in.

It seems to be that the headunit is expecting a changer even when it's not plugged in. But I don't know if the Connects2 might be dead, as I don't know the expected behaviour - the instructions are "vague" to say the least...

I do have an FM-transmitter, but it's not convenient to use as (a) the quality's terrible; and (b) there isn't a frequency that stays free on the daily commute between two cities...

I'm missing my podcasts...

Thanks!

Deek.

WaveyDavey · 09-07-2008, 18:10

I fitted connects 2 units into both our Fabia vRS's a month or two ago...... Both worked straight away though we didn't have changers in either car...... Can't see that having a changer makes any difference to the situation though.......

I attached the ground wire to one of the screws on the back of the HU myself and it worked fine..... When i was testing without have the ground wire screwed in place though the unit did act dead until the ground was secure so maybe the ground wire has been dislodged etc....

The only number button that works is the '1' button and whatever you do with the ipod the HU will always display CD1 TR1 on the display.

I'll try and think of anything else that i can though.

Cheers

Dave.

dxg · 09-07-2008, 18:48

Maybe I haven't grounded it properly. I'll have a closer look tomorrow -- I spent so long on it this afternoon, I'm now going to have to work all evening to catch up!!

Thanks - deek.

dxg · 14-07-2008, 21:55

You were right - it was just not grounded right.

Unfortunately it wouldn't fit on the shelf behind the blank dash buttons (the unit's just a bit too tall), so this is where it wound up:

I expect an almighty rattle to start when the velcro comes unglued one winter morning...

Disappointing to see that the original head unit had been crammed into the dash so tightly (I had to get the dealer to release it and even they had trouble...) that it's damaged the original loom:

and won't shut back into place:

I can fix this by taking a hacksaw to the rear of the plastic cage, but the dash needs to come out fully to get its rattles fixed first. I think the dealer will try to wriggle out of that warranty work if they find bits of the dash structure missing!

Anyway, thanks for the pointer...

WaveyDavey · 15-07-2008, 02:20

Glad you got it working.

So do you have something else up behind the buttons????? I only ask as both of ours lay flat up above the HU behind the buttons with no problems at all. I just gave them a good push and they slotted into place and haven't heard a knock or rattle out of either of them since.

The HU in the mrs' car came out easy..... Mine however was a different matter..... Had to get the dealer to remove it, and it took them a good 30 minutes, when i fitted my drawer under the HU then it took me a good 15 minutes or so to get it out myself when i fitted the Connects2..... It seems to be the locking mechanism on one side of mine that is a bit dodgy though and it's a case of removing the trim along the right hand side and having the drinks holder in the out position on the left hand side to get the HU out.

Cheers

Dave.

dxg · 29-07-2008, 21:37

Well, having had this working for a couple of weeks now, I can safely report that it cuts a huge chunk of the low frequencies off.

Time to start saving for a new head unit. Any recommendations? Has to have an aux (or ipod) input and must have green illumination. Would want as oem-looking a solution as possible. Not more than £200 max - c. £125 would be far better.

WaveyDavey · 29-07-2008, 21:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by dxg

Well, having had this working for a couple of weeks now, I can safely report that it cuts a huge chunk of the low frequencies off.

Time to start saving for a new head unit. Any recommendations? Has to have an aux (or ipod) input and must have green illumination. Would want as oem-looking a solution as possible. Not more than £200 max - c. £125 would be far better.

Not noticed any probs with either of ours..... Might be a daft question but have you reverted the ipod EQ to off??? I found it just doesn't sound good unless it's in the off position when putting it through the HU or through my home cinema system etc...... I then put it back to whichever setting i want when using it with headphones etc.....

Had a Ministry of Sound album on in the car on Sunday cranked right up and the low end stuff sounded great..... Got to the point where the doors paneling was resonating like hell.

Only a suggestion.

Cheers

Dave.

09-07-2008, 17:12	#1
dxg Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 147 Thanks: 2 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Can a Connects2 Aux-in unit replace a factory CD changer on a Symphony I hope someone knows the answer to this... Basically, I've got a Symphony in a Fabia VRS SE which, obviously, came with a CD changer. Thing is, I don't use CDs these days and really need to be able to listen to my ipod. Seemed that the cheapest way of doing this would be to get an Aux-in Connects2 unit. So wired this in this afternoon. Spliced the ground from the Connects2 unit into the chassis ground on the ISO loom and swapped the CD blue CD changer connection for the blue connection from the Connects2. But all is not well. Internal CD works fine, but pressing any of the numbers on the headunit just gets a "NO CD CHANGER" message - I had thought that the Connects2 would mimic the changer and play no matter what button was pressed. It's not playing over the top of the internal CD, either. And ejecting the CD just returns the headunit to FM, as you'd expect. If you plug the changer lead back in, the errors just change to "NO DISC" (or something like that) as there's nothing in the changer. HELP!! Has anyone done this before (replaced a changer with a Connects2)?? I would be very grateful for others' comments. Just don't want to have to replace the head unit just to get an aux-in. It seems to be that the headunit is expecting a changer even when it's not plugged in. But I don't know if the Connects2 might be dead, as I don't know the expected behaviour - the instructions are "vague" to say the least... I do have an FM-transmitter, but it's not convenient to use as (a) the quality's terrible; and (b) there isn't a frequency that stays free on the daily commute between two cities... I'm missing my podcasts... Thanks! Deek. __________________ .

09-07-2008, 18:10	#2
WaveyDavey Hiya Vic!!! Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire Posts: 2,021 Thanks: 98 Thanked 66 Times in 65 Posts	Re: Can a Connects2 Aux-in unit replace a factory CD changer on a Symphony I fitted connects 2 units into both our Fabia vRS's a month or two ago...... Both worked straight away though we didn't have changers in either car...... Can't see that having a changer makes any difference to the situation though....... I attached the ground wire to one of the screws on the back of the HU myself and it worked fine..... When i was testing without have the ground wire screwed in place though the unit did act dead until the ground was secure so maybe the ground wire has been dislodged etc.... The only number button that works is the '1' button and whatever you do with the ipod the HU will always display CD1 TR1 on the display. I'll try and think of anything else that i can though. Cheers Dave. __________________ '06 Fabia vRS... Black Magic Pearl, Xenons, Cruise, ESP, Dragon Tuning Box, Cupra PD160 Air Intake, Green Cotton Air Filter, MAF Cage Mod, SMIC Wheelarch Venting, Seat Sport Strutbrace, JabbaSport Rear ARB, Seat PD130 Engine Sound-Proofing, Cupra-R Front Splitter, Colour Coded Grille Surround, MkII vRS Grille Badge, Bosch Aeros, VW Rear Aero, Honda S2000 Aerial, SilverVision Indicators, Connects2 & 8gb Ipod Nano 3G, LED Interior Lighting, Front Drinks Holder, 'Elegance' Cubby Drawer, Side & Dashboard vRS Badges.

09-07-2008, 18:48	#3
dxg Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 147 Thanks: 2 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Can a Connects2 Aux-in unit replace a factory CD changer on a Symphony Maybe I haven't grounded it properly. I'll have a closer look tomorrow -- I spent so long on it this afternoon, I'm now going to have to work all evening to catch up!! Thanks - deek. __________________ .

14-07-2008, 21:55	#4
dxg Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 147 Thanks: 2 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Can a Connects2 Aux-in unit replace a factory CD changer on a Symphony You were right - it was just not grounded right. Unfortunately it wouldn't fit on the shelf behind the blank dash buttons (the unit's just a bit too tall), so this is where it wound up: I expect an almighty rattle to start when the velcro comes unglued one winter morning... Disappointing to see that the original head unit had been crammed into the dash so tightly (I had to get the dealer to release it and even they had trouble...) that it's damaged the original loom: and won't shut back into place: I can fix this by taking a hacksaw to the rear of the plastic cage, but the dash needs to come out fully to get its rattles fixed first. I think the dealer will try to wriggle out of that warranty work if they find bits of the dash structure missing! Anyway, thanks for the pointer... __________________ .

15-07-2008, 02:20	#5
WaveyDavey Hiya Vic!!! Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire Posts: 2,021 Thanks: 98 Thanked 66 Times in 65 Posts	Re: Can a Connects2 Aux-in unit replace a factory CD changer on a Symphony Glad you got it working. So do you have something else up behind the buttons????? I only ask as both of ours lay flat up above the HU behind the buttons with no problems at all. I just gave them a good push and they slotted into place and haven't heard a knock or rattle out of either of them since. The HU in the mrs' car came out easy..... Mine however was a different matter..... Had to get the dealer to remove it, and it took them a good 30 minutes, when i fitted my drawer under the HU then it took me a good 15 minutes or so to get it out myself when i fitted the Connects2..... It seems to be the locking mechanism on one side of mine that is a bit dodgy though and it's a case of removing the trim along the right hand side and having the drinks holder in the out position on the left hand side to get the HU out. Cheers Dave. __________________ '06 Fabia vRS... Black Magic Pearl, Xenons, Cruise, ESP, Dragon Tuning Box, Cupra PD160 Air Intake, Green Cotton Air Filter, MAF Cage Mod, SMIC Wheelarch Venting, Seat Sport Strutbrace, JabbaSport Rear ARB, Seat PD130 Engine Sound-Proofing, Cupra-R Front Splitter, Colour Coded Grille Surround, MkII vRS Grille Badge, Bosch Aeros, VW Rear Aero, Honda S2000 Aerial, SilverVision Indicators, Connects2 & 8gb Ipod Nano 3G, LED Interior Lighting, Front Drinks Holder, 'Elegance' Cubby Drawer, Side & Dashboard vRS Badges.

29-07-2008, 21:37	#6
dxg Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 147 Thanks: 2 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Can a Connects2 Aux-in unit replace a factory CD changer on a Symphony Well, having had this working for a couple of weeks now, I can safely report that it cuts a huge chunk of the low frequencies off. Time to start saving for a new head unit. Any recommendations? Has to have an aux (or ipod) input and must have green illumination. Would want as oem-looking a solution as possible. Not more than £200 max - c. £125 would be far better. __________________ .

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