2012 Impreza stereo replacement

[Wehan]

Originally Posted by Jack Stilts

Anyone hear from SVXdc lately? Sent him a message, a private email, and an email on his website but haven't heard back.

I just did, his initial response took a minute but after that is was a quick exchange and had my harness a few days later.

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[Jack Stilts]

Following up on this - need some help. Background info is buried somewhere in this thread, so I'll summarize the best I can:

2012 base Impreza. Base stereo, etc. I found another Impreza at a scrap yard, and stole some things from it - head unit, auxiliary input jack for the center console, and the wiring harness going from the console to the head unit. I got the proper harness adapter from SVXdc, which was a perfect fit, but I still don't have anything being recognized.

Using the CD player / radio, no issues. Tried plugging in the auxiliary cord to many different phones and iPods, but I get no audio. Tried a few different cords. Standard troubleshooting. Not sure what to do next. Hoping for some insight to this. Thanks.

[SVXdc]

Originally Posted by Jack Stilts

...
2012 base Impreza. Base stereo, etc. I found another Impreza at a scrap yard, and stole some things from it - head unit, auxiliary input jack for the center console, and the wiring harness going from the console to the head unit. I got the proper harness adapter from SVXdc, which was a perfect fit, but I still don't have anything being recognized.

Using the CD player / radio, no issues. Tried plugging in the auxiliary cord to many different phones and iPods, but I get no audio. Tried a few different cords. Standard troubleshooting.
...

Is the HU allowing you to change to aux mode but then is not playing the sound? Or does it not even let you go to aux mode?

Subaru's HUs disable aux mode until something is physically plugged into the OEM aux jack. The aux pod has a switch docked to the end of the 3.5mm jack, which the tip of your audio plug will plunge.

The aux detect circuit requires chassis ground, which the factory harness obtains from somewhere besides the socket on the rear of the HU. See Subaru's wiring diagrams. Did you connect that wire on your salvaged OEM aux cable?

It's also possible that the aux jack is damaged (not uncommon). The OEM aux jack ties the aux L & R audio lines to the audio ground wire when nothing is plugged in. If someone really abused the jack, it's possible that those are stuck shorted to ground.

If the above tips don't lead you to anything obvious, unplug the aux plug from the rear of the HU, and make temporary connections there to your audio device. You can use single strands pulled from some stranded wire to wrap around the terminals on the HU's socket. Make sure the wires don't short into each other (use something to separate them, such as tape, little scraps of paper, pieces of a coffee stirrer, etc.).

Looking at the back of the radio the pins are numbered:

_|---|_
4 3 2 1
8 7 6 5

Pin-out:
1 - Aux audio - Left
2 - Aux audio - Right
3 - NC
4 - NC

5 - Aux audio ground
6 - Aux input enable (connect this to chassis ground)
7 - NC
8 - NC

[Jack Stilts]

Originally Posted by SVXdc

Is the HU allowing you to change to aux mode but then is not playing the sound? Or does it not even let you go to aux mode?

Subaru's HUs disable aux mode until something is physically plugged into the OEM aux jack. The aux pod has a switch docked to the end of the 3.5mm jack, which the tip of your audio plug will plunge.

The aux detect circuit requires chassis ground, which the factory harness obtains from somewhere besides the socket on the rear of the HU. See Subaru's wiring diagrams. Did you connect that wire on your salvaged OEM aux cable?

It's also possible that the aux jack is damaged (not uncommon). The OEM aux jack ties the aux L & R audio lines to the audio ground wire when nothing is plugged in. If someone really abused the jack, it's possible that those are stuck shorted to ground.

If the above tips don't lead you to anything obvious, unplug the aux plug from the rear of the HU, and make temporary connections there to your audio device. You can use single strands pulled from some stranded wire to wrap around the terminals on the HU's socket. Make sure the wires don't short into each other (use something to separate them, such as tape, little scraps of paper, pieces of a coffee stirrer, etc.).

It does let me change to auxiliary, but no sound. I will double check the ground, thanks for the tip.

[nsubi4me]

I was wondering if anyone has run into any interference with the TPMS in the 2012 impresa sport premiums after a backup camera install?

I followed several threads in this forum and eventually used John Boice's install guide for the backup camera but the ending result for me now is that the TMPS is having interference talking to the front wheel sensors from what the dealer is telling me.

I ended up purchasing a crux CUL-03 from crutchfield and ran the wires as per John's instructions to back of a newer Kenwood Nav unit and grounding it using the mounting screw for the black box that is attached on the drivers side trunk fender well. The backup camera works great but am curious if that black box is the tpms module that is having trouble. The only other wires that are installed are the RCA into the back of the kenwood, a red power wire that comes off the RCA and the reverse wire from the kenwood that is tapped in on the passenger side foot well. There is also an extra red power wire that is taped off but hanging into the fender well near that black box.

Any help is greatly appreciated, as the dealer is now tell me to put the factory unit back in so they can try to troubleshoot the TPMS issue again.

[marstev]

I just picked up a used 2012 Impreza with a stock Subaru Navigation head unit and was tossing around some possibilities. Does anyone happen to know if the factory back-up camera is pre-wired in the harness? My car does not have the camera installed, but I know sometimes manufacturers will still include various options in the main harness to facilitate during mass production. If I can just pick up a stock camera, this could simplify things for me later.

Update: Just answered my own question. Found out how easy Subaru makes it to pop off the trim panel, and viola! All my harnesses in my trunk door right in plain view. No extra harnesses pre-run, but still interested in easy plug-n-play upgrades for my Nav/audio system components...

[R5Ryder]

Originally Posted by marstev

I just picked up a used 2012 Impreza with a stock Subaru Navigation head unit and was tossing around some possibilities. Does anyone happen to know if the factory back-up camera is pre-wired in the harness? My car does not have the camera installed, but I know sometimes manufacturers will still include various options in the main harness to facilitate during mass production. If I can just pick up a stock camera, this could simplify things for me later.

Update: Just answered my own question. Found out how easy Subaru makes it to pop off the trim panel, and viola! All my harnesses in my trunk door right in plain view. No extra harnesses pre-run, but still interested in easy plug-n-play upgrades for my Nav/audio system components...

I have a 2012 Sport too, but was told that the camera was only an option on 2013 and newer - you are saying you hooked up the camera to the stock 2012 unit?

My screen broke today (kids elbow accidentally smashed it while horsing around) so I need to replace the unit. I was going to try and find a used 2013 or newer one so I could hook up the camera. I’m curious how you went about this.

[R5Ryder]

Finally went through and read the whole thread. Have two questions I was hoping someone could help with.

1. 2012 Sport Limited factory Nav unit has rounded corners, unlike the squarish ones that standard double-din units have. I CANNOT find any adapter that can be used to fit an aftermarket unit in - even Crutchfield says it’s not necessary - but it clearly is. I did not see any photos that showed a replacement on the factory nav for the Sport Limited - anyone know?


2. Would a 2013 or 2014 factory unit be compatible in my 2012? As mentioned in my previous post, my screen is busted so worst case I can just find a used unit on eBay, and maybe even get an OEM camera unit. Seeing a lot of ‘13s so just wondering if that would be an issue.

Thanks!

[R5Ryder]

Anyone know difference between FM601US and FA601US? I found a cheap FA and want to swap out my busted FM for it but want to make sure it's totally compatible.

[pavjayt]

Wondering what is the latest map update we can get for a 2012 navigation unit?(I guess that unit is the same across many models for many MYs) came across a used 2012 navigation unit that I am planning to install in a 2013 non-nav impreza. I know it will be outdated, but would like to keep it original

[walterkstone3rd]

did use an OEM kit? if so my 2010 is same version so they should wwire the same, yes?

[RBBT]

Originally Posted by Wehan

I just did, his initial response took a minute but after that is was a quick exchange and had my harness a few days later.

Anyone have a 2023 update on SVXdc? I see he hasn't posted here since 2018, but his website is still up... I sent an email; I'll edit this if I get a response.

EDIT: He got back to me!

[larry711]

Is anyone still alive from this heard?



I've got an antenna question as I've replaced the Head unit in my 2010 Impreza, but can't get the stereo tuner to get any stations.


Does it need some sort of amplification or do I possibly have to run a new antenna?

[Mulder]

The factory antenna is powered, you probably didn't connect the power wire in the harness. Common mistake when replacing the HU.