Hey guys,

NOTE: This applies to 'Premium' head unit for my 99 XLT. Probably applies to all First Gen XP, maybe even the EB sound system. Not so sure about the '03 and above.

Just want to let you know, it's possible (and relatively easy) to create an MP3 player input to the stock head unit. If you are not afraid to solder, the L, R, and GND connection for the TAPE unit is clearly marked on the PCB board at the back of the TAPE unit, so half the battle is done (just did the same for our 98 Volvo V70 and I had to hunt for these connections).

Trick the head unit you are playing a tape by creating a dummy audio tape - just remove all the tape inside. By tapping a wire to the connections mentioned above using a wire with a mini plug on the other end (1/8" for my application, check yours), you have a clean input for your MP3 player! Nothing fancy but the sound quality beats those other means like FM transmitter or the pseudo-tape thing with dangling wires.

Procedure to remove the head unit have been previously discussed, just search it.

For the radio head unit, you only need to remove the top cover, you will need a Torx smaller than number 10 (8 or 9) which I don't have, I just used a plier.

Inside, you need to take the tape unit out with a philips screw driver and Torx 10, but no need to disconnect the 18-pin ribbon connector, there is enough slack for you to work on.

Get a beefy wire, don't use a junk wire/plug from a used/broken head-phone, the wires are so thin it could easily break. To save some soldering, there are STEREO wires with plugs on one end already for different applications, get one from Radioshack or the likes with a good length of your preference and just cut the other end. For a standard mini-phono plug, the base is the ground, the middle is RIGHT and the tip is LEFT. When done soldering, use a plastic tie to secure the wire to avoid stressing the solder points.

Route the wire as you please.

When done, just feed the dummy tape, and connect and play your MP3 player.

In case you're wondering, yes, the tape still works, so are the FM/AM radio, as well as the changer.

Use caution, work safe, and have fun!

Cheers
OrleeC

 

Have you tried buying a converter that plug into the back of the unit?

 

There may be such thing, usually plugged into the CD changer connection, in leiu of it. That's what's available for our V70 (also w/ functioning changer). My changers are still good, arguably will be of less use now . I guess I enjoy torturing myself.

Most connectors avail out there also require some install, so, a few more steps and its free... Unless you require the fancy iPod adopter, mine is just a reg MP3 player.

 

Thanks for the info. I'm going to try this soon so can listen to ipod and Sirius receiver in my 2000 Expy.

 

In case you don't have a wire with phono plug yet, I just saw a white 6' shielded wire with gold-plated mini-phono plugs on both ends at Walmart - cheaper than what's available at Radioshack. It's at auto section, along with other MP3/portable player connectors. If you use it and it's good for this appplication, let us know.

Good luck, and have fun (half the fun is when you brag to your friend you DIY this project)

 

Hey I worked on this last night and it works great! It is just like Orleec says.
I am trying to devise a way to engage the tape drive without using a dummy tape and I think Im close but its not as elegant as I wanted.

Orleec - can I email you? I was thinking of writing up an article with pictures and I want to credit you and get your input as well.

Alan

 

Glad it worked for you man. Yeah, sure, a write-up would be good if you have the time. A mention of my user id is sufficient .

What kind of player do you have? I just realized MP3 players are not created equal. In my home stereo (Denon AVR w/ really good DAC and a set of JBL HLS speakers), the quality of 192kbps MP3 thru PC S/PDIF is almost the same as CD, of course, it could be that my ears are not that good at descerning subtle differences and I do not fancy myself as a snobby audiophile. But in the XP head unit, the CD sound is a lot crispier than the 192 kbps MP3. I don't know if the TAPE pre-amp is clipped to have lower freq. response than CD changer pre-amp but I doubt it - the pre-amp circuitry is probably common and just being switched between the inputs (FM/CD/TAPE). In fact, the sound from an audio tape arguably sounds better than from my MP3 (granted it has tape hiss). With that said, the DAC inside the tiny MP3 players are the ones responsible for sound quality. I don't have an iPod, wonder if they are good. I have a Sandisk and a no-name Ultra player, and the Ultra sounds better, lol.

Anyway, this mod is free, and you can brag to your friends it's a DIY!

BTW, if you can mechanically select TAPE w/o physical tape, would that render the TAPE unusable? I rarely use the TAPE anymore but I do once in a while to listen to my old self-made selections from ten years ago.

Cheers,
OrleeC

 

I like the idea of modifying anything in a way that it can be returned to its original condition at any time, and all of the functions still work.

There is a cassette detect switch that is operated when you insert a cassette into the player. This is where Im adding a switch to engage the tape drive without a cassette. To use the cassette deck with a real cassette just press the eject button because the deck thinks there is a cassette loadede when Im playing the mp3 player.

When I write this up, do I have to host the pictures myself?

 

There are free photo hosting services - photobucket, tinyimage, etc. Just search the web. I would be interested to see your write-up and the switch you are referring to.

 

I forgot all about this until I installed a dual monitor Philips ent. system in the truck the other day. Beats fm-mod solution for passing audio to the stock head.