Aux Jack wiring to aftermarket head units

804 Views 16 Replies 3 Participants Last post by MP81, 2 mo ago

MP81

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago

Similar to my other question, but perhaps more broad as it's not just relevant to the Pioneer system and/or Android head units, this one relates to the factory Aux jack.

Unlike the factory (optional) USB jack in the center console, which is just simply a mini USB cable, the Aux jack appears to have seven wires at the factory radio (the jack side has battery voltage and ground, but those appear to be jack-side-only). It has two for right channel, two for left channel, two for a common wire, and one for detection.

Do we have any idea how to wire things in a way to where the factory jack will work with an aftermarket head unit? Most aux cables to actual wires are only three wires - Left, Right and Ground.

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MP81

Discussion Starter · #2 · 2 mo ago

Bump. Anyone have any ideas? This one is stumping me...

MP81

Discussion Starter · #3 · 2 mo ago

Talked to my buddy yesterday and we're now thinking that "Common" wire would simply be the third (ground) wire within a standard aux cable. If that's the case...should be a pretty easy pin-in...

Blasirl

· #4 · 2 mo ago

MP81 said:
Talked to my buddy yesterday and we're now thinking that "Common" wire would simply be the third (ground) wire within a standard aux cable. If that's the case...should be a pretty easy pin-in...

Can't you ring it out with an ohm meter?

MP81

Discussion Starter · #5 · 2 mo ago (Edited)

Probably - but I'm not sure I'll need to or not.

Gonna just try pinning it in there and seeing if it works, and if not, oh well!

grtpumpkin

· #6 · 2 mo ago

This should help.
I just went through this this weekend. Great timing.
You'll want to disconnect the #1 wire (signal sensing wire) as this brings the sound quality down quite a bit. It's actually listed as an I/O pull up resistor in the manual. This mod will give you the cd quality sound that you want from your auxiliary input. It should be the blue wire. All this wire does is to allow the radio to sense when a jack is plugged in and automatically switches to the aux input. All you need connected is the left, right and common connected. The connector has 4 wires in a 5 way connector body.
Have at it man. It's worth the effort. Let me know if you need more help.

Rectangle Font Parallel Engineering Schematic

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MP81

Discussion Starter · #7 · 2 mo ago

Fantastic - that's exactly what I was looking for.

So, in theory, as long as the detection wire isn't hooked up on the head unit side, it won't really be doing anything on the jack side.

grtpumpkin

· #8 · 2 mo ago

MP81 said:
Fantastic - that's exactly what I was looking for.

So, in theory, as long as the detection wire isn't hooked up on the head unit side, it won't really be doing anything on the jack side.

MP81 said:
Fantastic - that's exactly what I was looking for.

So, in theory, as long as the detection wire isn't hooked up on the head unit side, it won't really be doing anything on the jack side.

I guess it would depend where you disconnect it. Your Cruze may or may not have the Pdmi module. That pull up resistor is inside the PDMI module. Do you have the KTA option code as that is the schematic I posted? Safest and easiest option is to disconnect it at the console jack.

grtpumpkin

· #9 · 2 mo ago

Think about it this way. You don’t want anything connected to your common and signal lines that could introduce noise or affect the signal.

MP81

Discussion Starter · #10 · 2 mo ago

Ours has the MyLink system, so it does not have that additional module and goes directly to the radio itself, so it should be good to just leave it disconnected.

My wife really only uses Aux for audiobooks, and if she has a more stable Bluetooth, she'll likely use that instead. Still want Aux to be fully functional if at all possible, and definitely sounds like it is doable.

MP81

Discussion Starter · #11 · 2 mo ago

As far as I know, the MyLink systems don't include that module - it's integrated into the radio, whereas the non-MyLink ones have that module.

Blasirl

· #12 · 2 mo ago

MP81 said:
As far as I know, the MyLink systems don't include that module - it's integrated into the radio, whereas the non-MyLink ones have that module.

Let us know if you were able to solve this either by using grtpumpkin's solution or another. We can then mark your question as solved.

MP81

Discussion Starter · #13 · 2 mo ago

Will do - haven't ordered yet because Aliexpress deactivated my account, hasn't reactivated it...and I've never made a purchase there. Sigh.

Reactions: 1

grtpumpkin

· #14 · 2 mo ago

I'm confused. What are you ordering that has to do with this issue? Are you trying to add an auxilary jack or swapping out the head unit? What did I miss?

MP81

Discussion Starter · #15 · 2 mo ago

I am upgrading to one of the Android head units, and most don't properly work with the aux jack in the car via the main connector they come with - so this is a matter of being able to use the factory aux jack with the aftermarket unit

grtpumpkin

· #16 · 2 mo ago

OK, Gotcha. I just found your other thread about that topic. I don't have any advice on those as I've never used one. There are you tube videos on them. Personally, I would not trust a cheap chinese radio. I would spend the extra for a Kenwood or alpine. I'll keep my factory head unit as I feel the integration process of an aftermarket isn't worth the hassle.
I have the full factory service manual for the 2014 cruze if you need specific information. Let us know how your install go's.
Rich.

Reactions: 1

MP81

Discussion Starter · #17 · 2 mo ago

I'd much rather have a "brand name" one - I have a Pioneer NEX in my Cobalt and it is wonderful - we'll be putting one in my brother's Mustang and I plan to put one in my Camaro. Unfortunately, the integration to put one in the Cruze has multiple downsides, so I'm not able to go that route with how...picky...I am. I don't want buttons that don't work, nor a CD slot that doesn't function, so the portrait-screen Android units seem to be the best bet to satisfy my particularness.

That all said, finally was able to order mine today (had my brother create an account and that worked fine so...I guess that works) - should be here in...a month.

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