connector on rear of MY02 stock in-dash 6-cd...

[tad_02Wgn]

Update (10/24/05) #2: I have contacted iamrazor and he is willing to sell his 6 disc changer for $100. I am not positive that this changer will even work with the stock in dash unit, but it looks like the plugs match.

Is anyone else in the DC area willing to join in the project and help dissuade some of the costs?
-Tad

Update (10/24/05):
Still no additional progress. Come December, I will have more available time to dedicate to this project. The next (crucial) step is either
1. Getting the spec for the communication bus OR
2. Getting an external changer that works with the deck that can be hooked up and "sniffed", to capture the necessary commands.

If you know anyone that may be able to get us this information, please speak up.

In addition, if you are in the Washington DC area and have an EE background and want to work on this project, let me know.

Here is the original (as far as I know) that began to address this connector
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...hreadid=119963
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Update (7/19/05):
I am still waiting to hear back iamrazor about the 6 disc unit he was going to pull.
The service manual has been mirrored by a nice fellow here:
http://jeremy.seeded.net/nasioc/WRX-...vicemanual.pdf
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Update(5/27/05):
Scanned the service manual,
WRX-6disc-servicemanual.pdf (17.3mb)
This link will only work until the end of June, so if someone else could re-host, that'd be great.
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Update(5/25/05):
In order to continue, I need your help. Read on...
EDIT/UPDATE:
A user on another forum (TTL), whom I have been unable to contact here http://www.subaruforester.com/viewtopic.php?t=3525 managed to get an external cd changer working with the stock 6-disc wrx unit. If i can get an external cd player working, I believe that I can "watch" the bus line with a data logger/scope and mimic that transmission with a small microprocessor. This would enable the aux in pins on the back of the stock 6-disc changer.

A direct/wire aux input is NOT impossible like so many people claim, but I need your help. My first attempt involves the stereos from the following vehicles:
BAJA 03-04
FORESTER 01-02
LEGACY 00-04

I believe these vehicles have a separate cd player and receiver, connected with a 16pin data cable. I need someone to

1. confirm that the stereos for these vehicles do indeed use 16 pin cables between the two units.
2. confirm that these units are matsushi ta/panasonic manufactured
3. hopefully provide a unit for testing temporarily


Original Post (connector on rear of MY02 stock in-dash 6-cd...)
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THis is the connector in the lower left corner of the unit (looking at the back). It looks like two horizontal rows of 8 pins. anyone know what this is for?

I vaguely recall someone mentioning that it was used to attach an additional cd changer to the unit. I know people used the din plug in the MY05 forester as an auxiliary input... does anyone have the pinout for this connector so we can see if something similar is possible?


[imgx]http://home.ptd.net/~richmana/wrx/stereo/allback.jpg[/img]
[imgx]http://home.ptd.net/~richmana/wrx/stereo/plugbac
k.jpg[/img]

Fixed pictures:
just so we're clear, this is the deck/connector we're talking about