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Old 01-02-2005, 10:29 PM   #1
tad_02Wgn
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Default WRX Aux in update: Need help from 03-04 Baja, 01-02 Forester, 00-04 Legacy

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
-----------------------------------------------------

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
-----------------------------------------------------


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.
------------------------------------------------------

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...)
----------------
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

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Last edited by tad_02Wgn; 10-24-2005 at 12:49 PM.
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Old 01-04-2005, 04:22 PM   #2
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Bump, I'd like to know as well as I got an MP3 player for xmas and want to hook it up via an aux jack. I don't want to buy another headunit.
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Old 01-06-2005, 03:25 PM   #3
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Well... here's the status update. The 16 pin connector on the back of the stock matsu****a 6-cd in dash changer is indeed a connector for an additional cd changer. The input pins are all there, however the unit must somehow be tricked into thinking that a cd changer is attached to switch over to these inputs.
"MidlifeCrisis", the main contributor to this thread:
http://www.imprezawrxsti.com/postnuk...wtopic&t=11218
suspects that the inputs are run through an audio IC where an internal switched gate controls which audio signal gets passed through. He suspects, and I agree, that if we can somehow emulate the control signal (maybe with a simple PIC), then we should be able to get the unit switch over to the external input.

If anyone else has any information about the bus protocol, please post here. I put in a request through a friend at Panasonic (subsidiary of matsu****a) to try and dig up the bus protocol... so we'll see if that pans out. In the meantime, here is the information that "MidlifeCrisis" originally posted from the service manual:





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Old 01-16-2005, 06:55 PM   #4
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still working on this.
Got the full service manual/schematic. It's definitely going to be tricky.

The BUS.LINE breaks down to CD-CH.IN and CD-CH.OUT, which refers to the serial I/O lines going into the CPU in the main block. The CPU then sends data along a control line to the Electronic Volume Control, which switches between either the internal source line (AM/FM, tape, cd) and the external source line (the one we want to be able to use). The output from that IC then heads over to the power amp stage... and the rest is music :-P

I've dug up an old thread on nasioc where somebody mentioned that they were able to get an external cd changer that was meant for a legacy (not sure of the year) to work with the wrx deck (although apparently the internal unit was disabled while connected). If i can get my hands on this or a similar changer, I may be able to capture the contents of the data line and then emulate it to make an aux input available.

THe other (better) option would be to find the actual spec for the CPU control line. The only info I have on the CPU is:
Part No: C2BBGF000085
If we could figure out what data it is expecting, we could again emulate this data and switch over to the external input.
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Old 04-13-2005, 06:25 PM   #5
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Default manual for MY05 stock-in-dash 6-CD?

tad_02Wgn-

Wondering if you can magically get your hands on the MY05 WRX stock-in-dash 6-disc changer?

Here's the info:

Matsu****a Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (made in Japan)
Model No. 86201FE210
Ref. No. CQ-EF6360A

Would be much appreciated,
sedeuce
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Old 04-13-2005, 10:26 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sedeuce
tad_02Wgn-

Wondering if you can magically get your hands on the MY05 WRX stock-in-dash 6-disc changer?

Here's the info:

Matsu****a Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (made in Japan)
Model No. 86201FE210
Ref. No. CQ-EF6360A

Would be much appreciated,
sedeuce
do you mean the service manual for it? The MY02 manual was actually passed to me from a member that used to be much more active. Does theMY05 have the same connector? If so, I'm guessing it's very similar.

Someone needs to find the damn communication protocol spec, and we'd be SO golden.
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Old 04-14-2005, 09:57 AM   #7
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Have you considered emailing Matsu****a with the question?
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Old 04-14-2005, 01:42 PM   #8
tad_02Wgn
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Quote:
Originally Posted by armand1
Have you considered emailing Matsu****a with the question?
I emailed both Matsushiita and Panasonic over the summer with no response. If other people want to try, please by all means ask.

We're looking for the protocol for the BUS.LINE (pin H on the CN702 connector). It is probably a serial protocol that allows the cd changer to talk to the head unit - let it know it's connected, send/receive commands, etc.

In addition, if someone has/can get an external changer that is compatible with the stock deck, we could get the protocol from that. I don't know where to get one, otherwise I would.
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Old 04-14-2005, 06:39 PM   #9
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I don't know if this one has the right connector, but it at least shows a photo of the connector, and there are lots of similar auctions on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...766878043&rd=1
Good luck in your hunt!
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Old 05-26-2005, 01:09 AM   #10
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bump for update..

i need your help
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Old 05-26-2005, 04:18 PM   #11
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I am surprised, you seem to be getting quite far into this.
The connector and pins were discussed before. The only additional info is that by searching I had found a link to a relatively recent tread of a fellow Swedish (I think) Subaru owner that proceeded to actually make a circuit board for an input adapter and then got the factory head unit to recognize that as an external unit.
Not as an alternate cd changer, no toggling between sources, but once his board plugged in, whatever was plugged into it would play as audio source, under CD. At the same time some nonsense message was displayed on the display such as "u 121" instead of CD and Track.
This is all recolection that I have, not cold facts (I may have some details wrong, feel free to correct), but I had such interest that I saved the link to tread on a floppy.
My curent solution involves a digisette. Digisette has on-board power and a MMC card slot. The biggest currently available MMC card is 2Gb, with a 1Gb being affordable already.
I estimate that a non-music oriented person needs only 10 Gb to have all the music one ever wants to listen to.
The Forrester Head unit has a round changer connector and they have been able to make an external source play through that connector by having a blank recorded CD play in one of the slots.
Also, note that UK sites list both CD changers for WRX 01 and up and CD changers code converters. The price is not that bad. They had different units that we never got though.
Vlad
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Old 05-26-2005, 04:32 PM   #12
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I've been following the various threads in the various forums concerning directly connecting an IPod to the Panasonic-manufactured Subaru stock head-unit that has the square 16-pin connector.
To that end I have purchased a spare single CD stock head-unit and a used add-on 6 CD changer that will connect to and work with that head unit. My plan is to try to capture the signals between the units as described in this thread, and to build a small custom device that will allow an IPod to appear to the head-unit as a CD changer.
Two family members who are electrical engineers are coming to visit this weekend so I may be able to actually make some progress on this.

I will post follow-ups here.
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Old 05-26-2005, 06:00 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tad_02Wgn
still working on this.
Got the full service manual/schematic.
Can you put the whole schematic up or host it so it can be downloaded?

speaker
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Old 05-27-2005, 04:09 PM   #14
tad_02Wgn
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Quote:
Originally Posted by speaker
Can you put the whole schematic up or host it so it can be downloaded?

speaker
Ever since somebody asked for it (maybe that was you?) a few weeks ago I have been looking for it. I just graduated (computer & systems engineering) and all of my stuff is strewn around in a variety of boxes. As soon as I can find it, I will post it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob_Cville
I've been following the various threads in the various forums...
To that end I have purchased a spare single CD stock head-unit and a used add-on 6 CD changer ...
I will post follow-ups here.
Where are you located? I'd be more than willing to work with someone else on this if it's convenient - although granted I know it's a longshot. I'm in eastern PA for the next week or so and then will be in the washington DC area.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vlad
I am surprised, you seem to be getting quite far into this.
The connector and pins were discussed before. The only additional info is that by searching I had found a link to a relatively recent tread of a fellow Swedish (I think) Subaru owner that proceeded to actually make a circuit board for an input adapter and then got the factory head unit to recognize that as an external unit. ...
That would be really helpful... it sounds like he may have figured out the serial comm protocol used by an external changer to say "Hey, I'm here - activate my inputs". Any way you could post a link to the thread or a saved copy of it?

Last edited by tad_02Wgn; 05-27-2005 at 04:15 PM.
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Old 05-27-2005, 04:11 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tad_02Wgn
Ever since somebody asked for it (maybe that was you?) a few weeks ago I have been looking for it. I just graduated (computer & systems engineering) and all of my stuff is strewn around in a variety of boxes. As soon as I can find it, I will post it.
Excellent! Need to see all the gozintas & gozouttas to determine what needs to be done.

speaker
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Old 05-27-2005, 06:22 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by speaker
Excellent! Need to see all the gozintas & gozouttas to determine what needs to be done.

speaker
I was able to find it pretty quickly, so I went ahead and scanned it in.


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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Old 05-27-2005, 06:27 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tad_02Wgn
I was able to find it pretty quickly, so I went ahead and scanned it in.


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.
TG for a T1.

I am printing it out now, thank you for posting it.

speaker
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Old 05-27-2005, 07:14 PM   #18
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Tad, I've Pm-ed you some info.
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Old 06-01-2005, 05:01 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tad_02Wgn:
Where are you located? I'd be more than willing to work with someone else on this if it's convenient - although granted I know it's a longshot. I'm in eastern PA for the next week or so and then will be in the washington DC area.
I'm located in Charlottesville, VA about 2 hours from DC. I would be interested in collaborating on figuring this out, because on my own I'm having trouble motivating myself to get started.
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Old 06-28-2005, 09:56 AM   #20
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Hopefully this is still a work in progress for you guys. I have Sirius and am dying to have a full aux-in instead of using the clumsy tape deck. I also have the 6CD changer so if you need the pinout or something, please let me know.

*subscribe*
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Old 06-28-2005, 12:47 PM   #21
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Well belkin is coming out with a tape adaptor that lets you control your ipod using the hu controls. These are some related links i found. First one is a guy who figured out the volvo protocol and made an adapter. 2nd link is a panisonic cd changer protocol which might help. and the last is another nasioc thread about this subject.

http://forums.swedespeed.com/zerothr...print&id=32512 http://www.lafrog.com/cdcemu/ http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...1&page=3&pp=25
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Old 06-29-2005, 12:18 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iamrazor
Hopefully this is still a work in progress for you guys. I have Sirius and am dying to have a full aux-in instead of using the clumsy tape deck. I also have the 6CD changer so if you need the pinout or something, please let me know.

*subscribe*
This project is more or less on hold from my end. I can't get access to an external changer that works with the stock deck, nor have I had any luck determining the changer protocol from any other source. When you say that you have the 6-cd changer - do you have the stock 6 disc in dash, or do you have a separate, 6 cd changer only unit? If you have the separate changer by itself, please contact me.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Worxman02
Well belkin is coming out with a tape adaptor that lets you control your ipod using the hu controls. These are some related links i found. First one is a guy who figured out the volvo protocol and made an adapter. 2nd link is a panisonic cd changer protocol which might help. and the last is another nasioc thread about this subject.

http://forums.swedespeed.com/zerothr...print&id=32512 http://www.lafrog.com/cdcemu/ http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...1&page=3&pp=25
I'll take a look at this stuff, I've heard of the belkin thing which is a good idea and actually pretty simple (interpret the direction of the tape, send commands to ipod...). In regards to the panasonic changer emulator you linked, unfortunately that is different from our stock radio interface (different communication setup it looks like). I remember looking at the same site a while back.
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Old 06-29-2005, 08:15 AM   #23
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tad: I have this:


I'm not sure if its the exact model or not, but i could take a photo of it for you if you want. Also, I think i'm buying a radio this week (aftermarket) so maybe you'd be interested in it?

when you say "stock deck" you mean stock WRX radio? I have the radio thats in the legacy + outback (tape + single CD) along with the external 6CD changer. I'd assume the pinout would be the same....
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Old 06-29-2005, 11:36 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iamrazor
tad: I have this:


I'm not sure if its the exact model or not, but i could take a photo of it for you if you want. Also, I think i'm buying a radio this week (aftermarket) so maybe you'd be interested in it?

when you say "stock deck" you mean stock WRX radio? I have the radio thats in the legacy + outback (tape + single CD) along with the external 6CD changer. I'd assume the pinout would be the same....
ooh, i see. Yes, I was referring to the stock wrx radio.

Does the back of your changer (the 6 disc) connect to your single disc using the rectangular plug (16 pin, two rows of 8)?

In addition, do you know if your units are made by matsu****a/panasonic?

If it's the same connector... and your changer is a panasonic make, I would be very interested in getting my hands on it for a while to see if I could reverse engineer the protocol.
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Old 06-30-2005, 08:30 AM   #25
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tad:
I'll let you know when i take it out. I'm picking up a single din MP3/ Sat radio HU from a fellow member within the next few days.
when it comes out, I'll post some pics.
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