Head unit plug identification
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Head unit plug identification
Just bought an '04 Expedition and plan to install a PIE x3 input module. There are two connection harnesses offered by PIE: one being a 20 pin and the other being a 24 pin. My truck is an EB with navigation, sttering wheel controls and rear seat entertainment (overhead dvd).
Anyone have an idea what configuration of harness I will need? 20 or 24 pin?
Anyone have an idea what configuration of harness I will need? 20 or 24 pin?
Sick 'n Tired
Joined: May 2006
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From: League City, TX
You should confirm with a pie.net technical support person that it will work in your car. I've been looking for an aux input for mine and have been told that b/c my car has the NAV and rear seat entertainment system that there is no adapter available. I spoke with them earlier in the summer and they said they would have a sollution by July, but that never happened.
Let me know what you find out, I'd like to add a satellite reciever (no more FM modulation).
Let me know what you find out, I'd like to add a satellite reciever (no more FM modulation).
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To be quite honest, I was a bit surprised that the Tech. Spt. person @ PIE threw out so many solutions to me that didn't seem correct. After asking if the particular adaptor/harness would allow me to tap in an iPod or XM, he recommended their X3 Input Adaptor. He explained that this would interrupt the audio only signal, via the AUX input on the head unit, and allow up to three stereo inputs via the PIE X3. A supplied switch would toggle through inputs 1-3. The part he could not answer was what harness I would need to plug between the head unit and the added X3 module. There are three harness to choose from: 12 pin connector; 16/24 pin connector; 16/20 pin connector. The 12 pin seems to be ruled out because in the "Notes" column, it says nothing about RSE (rear seat entertainment). Both the 16/24 and the 16/20 are identified to work with RSE.
Here's the PIE OEM Application Guide for the X3. http://www.pie.net/images/appguide/appl_x3.pdf
I sure would like to know if this is the solution before I go pulling the head unit to identify the pin config of my system.
Here's the PIE OEM Application Guide for the X3. http://www.pie.net/images/appguide/appl_x3.pdf
I sure would like to know if this is the solution before I go pulling the head unit to identify the pin config of my system.
Sick 'n Tired
Joined: May 2006
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From: League City, TX
Originally Posted by wlederle
...He explained that this would interrupt the audio only signal, via the AUX input on the head unit, and allow up to three stereo inputs via the PIE X3.
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I believe so. When switching to the DVD/Aux screen, there is a button offered at the lowermost position labeled AUX. Pushing it shanges the color of the button on the screen but nothing else. I'm assuming it does nothing because there's no input to it.
Sure would be nice to use this AUX input for iPod and or XM. PIE says that their interface cable and x3 external input device will feed into the head unit's Aux, however they can't advise which cable assy. to use until I can identify weather my plugs are 16/20 or 16/24.
That's where I'm at now. I plan to pull the head unit to find out first hand, however, it appears that this double din unit is installed way different than my old '97 Explorer. I dont see the old school 1/4'" screws where I can take off a panel to see how the radio is mounted. Ford did a great job in engineering the '04 Expedition dash panels and console w/o the old screws. I'm at a loss as to how to remove even the console panels forward of the console storage area. They seem to be "snapped" or clipped into place and are pretty solid. I don't want to force anything which may cause something to break. Any tips? Anyone? Please.
Sure would be nice to use this AUX input for iPod and or XM. PIE says that their interface cable and x3 external input device will feed into the head unit's Aux, however they can't advise which cable assy. to use until I can identify weather my plugs are 16/20 or 16/24.
That's where I'm at now. I plan to pull the head unit to find out first hand, however, it appears that this double din unit is installed way different than my old '97 Explorer. I dont see the old school 1/4'" screws where I can take off a panel to see how the radio is mounted. Ford did a great job in engineering the '04 Expedition dash panels and console w/o the old screws. I'm at a loss as to how to remove even the console panels forward of the console storage area. They seem to be "snapped" or clipped into place and are pretty solid. I don't want to force anything which may cause something to break. Any tips? Anyone? Please.
Sick 'n Tired
Joined: May 2006
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From: League City, TX
There are 3 RCA inputs on the DVD (2 audio, 1 video). Hitting the AUX button on the headunit switches the DVD over to those inputs. I have my XM radio running through those inputs. Downfall is I can listen to my XM while my daughter is watching a DVD.
As far as removing the console, there are two screws that hold the console. They are in right above the tach. Once you remove those the whole plastic piece should come off, there are clips though.
As far as removing the console, there are two screws that hold the console. They are in right above the tach. Once you remove those the whole plastic piece should come off, there are clips though.
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THANKS for the reply, bridge.
Are you referring to the RCA's on the actual DVD unit mounted on the headliner? I've experimented a bit by plugging my XM SkyFi II there and experienced a great deal of noise. I was using a standard RShack RCA to stereo mini plug; the noise (static and what sounded like some sort of RF) was not acceptable.
I'm still holding out hope that the PIE adaptor harness will provide a cleaner input into the system. Granted the RCA inputs on the actual DVD player could be a last resort, however, if that's the only input I hope the noise is a result of using a low grade cable. Maybe a higher grade shielded cable could be routed from above/behind my head down to the console area where I plan to house my XM receiver.
If I'm understanding it correctly, PIE claims that their harness goes between the head unit and their DVD RSE system and allows their X3 input module to input to the AUX side of the DVD player's input, all happening behind the dash.
Do you connect your XM to the actual DVD unit on the headliner?
Are you referring to the RCA's on the actual DVD unit mounted on the headliner? I've experimented a bit by plugging my XM SkyFi II there and experienced a great deal of noise. I was using a standard RShack RCA to stereo mini plug; the noise (static and what sounded like some sort of RF) was not acceptable.
I'm still holding out hope that the PIE adaptor harness will provide a cleaner input into the system. Granted the RCA inputs on the actual DVD player could be a last resort, however, if that's the only input I hope the noise is a result of using a low grade cable. Maybe a higher grade shielded cable could be routed from above/behind my head down to the console area where I plan to house my XM receiver.
If I'm understanding it correctly, PIE claims that their harness goes between the head unit and their DVD RSE system and allows their X3 input module to input to the AUX side of the DVD player's input, all happening behind the dash.
Do you connect your XM to the actual DVD unit on the headliner?
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Sick 'n Tired
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From: League City, TX
Originally Posted by wlederle
Do you connect your XM to the actual DVD unit on the headliner?
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Good news (I suppose) on knowing that my system isn't the only one with some sort of noise. Bad news on the attenuation. I have found that the Delphi SkyFi II is pretty quiet to begin with. I think I'm going to continue the pursuit of the appropriate PIE harness to install behind the head unit.
THANKS for the advice on the dash panel removal. Hopefully once I get the first panel off, I'll find the retaining system that hold the head unit in.
THANKS for the advice on the dash panel removal. Hopefully once I get the first panel off, I'll find the retaining system that hold the head unit in.
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I should have my pie harness and x3 this week. I let you know how it goes - I plan to install on Friday. I have an 06 EB with RSE and in dash cd but no nav. I pulled out my radio and I have a 16 and 24 pin radio.
Right now I run my IPOD through the DVD RCA inputs without any noice. I was wondering if you turned off the FM modulation on the XM radio? I got noice too when I tried to hook my xm up that way...Once I made sure that the FM modulation was off...the noice went away. I have the Delphi 2 xm radio. You could also check the Line level.
Dave
Right now I run my IPOD through the DVD RCA inputs without any noice. I was wondering if you turned off the FM modulation on the XM radio? I got noice too when I tried to hook my xm up that way...Once I made sure that the FM modulation was off...the noice went away. I have the Delphi 2 xm radio. You could also check the Line level.
Dave
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Well here's what I've since discovered:
The source of the noise seems to be comming from the power supply to the XM unit. When I plug in a portable CD player (running on its own batteries) into the Aux jacks on the RSE DVD player, the signal is crystal clear. Same with a handheld scanner. When I connect the XM's audio in to the DVD player without the unit's lighter plug attached (either plugged into the cradle unit or into the cig lighter) the noise is not present. Its the lighter plug supplied with the Delphi SkiFi II car kit. I'd hardwire it but can't since the SkyFi is a 6v in and the lighter plug is needed to step down the voltage.
I hope to resolve all of this by installing the PIE X3 at the CD changer in the console with PIE's interface harness. Ordered both today and hope to install them this weekend. Still not sure why the lighter plug introduces so much noise. At least I won't have an input cable hanging down from the RSE DVD. As for the cig lighter power supply noise, I've tried plugging it into a different lighter plug behing the center console and I get the same noise.
I'm wide open for suggestions on the noisy power supply for the XM cradle.
The source of the noise seems to be comming from the power supply to the XM unit. When I plug in a portable CD player (running on its own batteries) into the Aux jacks on the RSE DVD player, the signal is crystal clear. Same with a handheld scanner. When I connect the XM's audio in to the DVD player without the unit's lighter plug attached (either plugged into the cradle unit or into the cig lighter) the noise is not present. Its the lighter plug supplied with the Delphi SkiFi II car kit. I'd hardwire it but can't since the SkyFi is a 6v in and the lighter plug is needed to step down the voltage.
I hope to resolve all of this by installing the PIE X3 at the CD changer in the console with PIE's interface harness. Ordered both today and hope to install them this weekend. Still not sure why the lighter plug introduces so much noise. At least I won't have an input cable hanging down from the RSE DVD. As for the cig lighter power supply noise, I've tried plugging it into a different lighter plug behing the center console and I get the same noise.
I'm wide open for suggestions on the noisy power supply for the XM cradle.
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You can by the xm fm modulator. It allows you to hard wire the power and has auto on. Then you could just hard wire your xm to the x3 or you could use the fm in line modulater if you want to be able to use the dvd player and xm at the same time....dual mode.
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