iSimple TranzIt Radio Integration ipod kit -help-
 

I just purchased the an aftermarket ipod integration kit.

1) I need to find the radio antenna connection
2) "Using a multimeter, identify 12V+ and ground wires behind the radio.
a. connect the puri red wire to the 12V+ (ignition)
b. connect the puri black wire to the ground
c. connect the vehicles antenna into the puri antenna input*
d. connect the puri antenna output into the radio"

Are these connections behind the radio in the X? Is the radio antenna connection in the rear of the vehicle?

Thanks for any help,

Is anyone familiar with this iSimple thing or how to go about installing it?
I can scan in the actual instructions that came with it if that will help anyone help me.



It wires into the factor antenna (i think which is located in the back on top of the hatch), and it has a power switch for charging, I would like this to be connected to an ignition synced source (cig lighter?) so I don't have to click it on and off every time i leave the car.


I have paid for Future Shop to do it, but I really don't want two teens with no care or finesse to be prying apart my interior and cutting wires. I have been without the X for too long to have it get messed up again. Hopefully they will refund my money for the install.

This solution broadcasts on an FM frequency, that is why they want the antenna connection. I gave up on FM transmitters back in 1998 due to cross-interference issues. Pretty low-tech.

Recommend you look at the DICE or similar solutions that plug right into the back of the radio head unit.

If you do want to continue with installing this product, take out the head unit in the dash (quarter turn of the holding screw), and follow their instructions to see which of the 12+ wires is switched power. Antenna won't be there, it will be somewhere else, presumably the rear of the vehicle.

Thanks for the info,

I had thought this was higher tech than those FM transmitters. Although it ties in with the antenna I think it is different/ better quality than the ones you can just tune to your radio. Or at least i hope!

The return date on this is well past due, so if I don't install it, I will have wasted my money.

I was suppose to have it installed before my engine failed :(

It broadcasts on one of two FM frequencies. In my experience, products like this worked (with FM quality) as long as there were no radio stations on those frequencies; if so, there was interference.

Not as good sound quality as a product like the DICE or Aux In kit from BMW.

I knew I should have just went with the tried and true products tailored to the X5... I was too impatient to wait for shipping (little did I know I would have months to wait!)

I will give it a go anyways, I imagine it will not be as good as a CD, but much better than radio.

Does anyone have any general tips for installing audio devices?
Simple things ie. disconnect battery, "do not cut this", "this is ground wire" etc.

It can't be better than radio (other than for song selection) as it is radio.

Look in the stereo forum on this site, and in the articles section or Online References PDF tab for posts by those who installed the DICE, Icelink, etc. Much of that applies in terms of general guidelines like disconnecting the battery, removing the MID, etc.

I know in my X (03, 3.0) The previous owner installed an aftermarket sirius radio that was FM modulated. When I removed it to install my XM (which I love!!!) there was cables for the FM antenna. I don't know if it was an extension added by the installer of the sirius radio or if its there. It was located behind the radio. I had to pull everything out and dig it from behind. I would not have found it if the sirius radio was not plugged into it. Maybe that will help you out.

I agree with previous posts though, sell what you have now and spend the extra money on the dice kit. The X stereo isn't bad, but you can really find its shortfalls when listening to anything over the FM or AM bands. Just my 2 pennies :P

Good luck! Let us know what happens incase someone else finds themselves in your situation.

Dang... you guys are really starting to convince me to just go with the DICE kit.

I don't want to go through all this trouble for something that is subpar and crappy.

As others have stated, you have a "wired" FM modulator. I installed one of these in my wife's SLK (no longer have) because there were no other option available for the radio she had. It seemed to work fine except for the fact that all control of the iPod had to be thru the iPod. What I did notice though was that the FM modulator did interfere with the reception of other radio stations, so I ended up installing a swith to where I could turn it off when not in use - this resolved the interference issue.

Although DICE is not perfect (it has its quirks), it is a much better solution than what you are trying to do.