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I did some poking around on my stock audio system to figure out a way to connect an auxiliary audio source (e.g. iPod, etc.). Like many of you I‘d like to keep the original system and be able to play music from external sources (other than through the tape deck or FM transmitter). After cutting a few wires and adding a few RCA cables, I can now play my iPod through the original system including use of the equalizer. The sound quality is as good, or better, than the radio. I tried the FM transmitter route and the sound quality was poor at best.
If several people are interested in how to do this, then respond to this post and I’ll put together detailed steps. It’s relatively easy and depending on how elaborate you want to get, can cost $10 or less.
I did this in my ’88 780 that has the original equalizer, original front and back amplifiers, and the radio/cassette from an ’85 740. If your radio has the small round plug connected to the back of the radio or an equalizer, this modification should be possible.
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Michael - Melbourne, Fla 1985 740 460k, 1988 780 Coupe V6 190k, 1992 745 200k
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I have an older 240 cassette radio (the one with the gray faceplate) and I've tried using a cassette adapter for my portable CD player but the cassette mechanism in my radio doesn't like it. I would love to know how to install an auxiliary input into it since my CD player has a line out.
I tried to figure out how to use the radio's internal audio input switch that activates when a cassette is inserted but couldn't figure it out.
Thanks in advance!
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Mike F - 1984 244 DL - 265,000 miles
Original engine, transmission, drive train, alternator, starter
Undergoing reconstructive surgery with POR-15
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Using just the tape adapter on my 6141 in my 90 740 (I added in a factory EQ and am so glad I did), my stereo sounds great. Are there no tape adapters on the 712s?
I do notice that I've worn out two 6141's tape auto-load system :/ but FM is so terrible.
As far as noise from running a power adapter from the cigarrette lighter, it shouldn't be there. If there is, there are power conditioners you can put between the stereo and the 12v hot to clean it up. I found a couple for about 25$ delivered that looked like they would work. The amp for the 6141 is separate, so the draw is pretty low, but it's been years since I looked at it.
-Will
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1990 740 Turbo, on its way to stock specs, maybe beyond
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All mine have failed. The tuner just pops and gets noisy. A good WHACK will bring it back, but it doesn't last long. One from the junky did the same thing.
Took them apart to look for a problem, but they are so crowded in there, and I never could find a schematic.
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84 242Ti IPD bars&springs, 89 745 16v M46 IPD bars, 89 744 16v M46 IPD bars, 90 745 AW70, 91 245SE AW70 IPD bars, 93 245 CLassic M47
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Huh, I've never pulled a bad one. I must be lucky xD
I get lots of AM noise, but my FM is always quiet. The cabling to my antenna is crappy though, and it's got pretty bad reception.
As far as schematics, they're complicated. I remember looking at it and getting a general idea like "this area is for this" but couldn't help track down any problems.
-Will
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1990 740 Turbo, on its way to stock specs, maybe beyond
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I'll write up the procedure. It's nothing fancy - I used an Audio/Video selector box from Radio Shack (which I put in the glove box) to select the source. The hardest part for me was soldering (don't have much practice at it).
I didn't take pictures while I was doing the work so I'll have to snap a few that will best show the work.
Give me a few days to put it together.
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Michael - Melbourne, Fla 1985 740 460k, 1988 780 Coupe V6 190k, 1992 745 200k
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I, too, would love to see your method. Please put me on the list.
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I would certainly be interested to know how I can play my ipod through my stock 745 radio. I dont need anything exotic and I dont mind if I cant charge it at the same time necessarily. I just dont want to use the FM transmitter.
I would love to have a bluetooth connection too.
Please put mo on the list of those interested. The old radio still sounds good.
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I'd certainly be interested in knowing how to make an aux. input to the radio for an mp3 player. How would you make the radio play the signal once it's plugged in?
Some years ago I tried a discman type player with fm transmitter and it barely worked. After that I used a cassette adapter, but didn't like the way the cassette drive was always running when it was plugged in. For the last few years I've used this Myron & Davis ANT248 FM transmitter in 3 different cars and it works great. They've come a long way since the early ones.
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Hi Michael,
I hear you about the FM route. Impossible. Your post draws an ad for wired adapters $99 and up.
Here's what I am playing with on the 240 side. None of my cars have equalizers, so I pull the jumper plug and plug this in there. CR-712 radios. The jack for the ipod cable snaps in a 240's switch panel.
The charger is a tricky deal with ipod, though I was more worried about protecting the ipod from any failure in the charger's regulator. I've got a bit more than $10 in it, and assembly of that 30-pin ipod plug takes two pair of glasses on me.
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Art Benstein near Baltimore
The taste of low quality lingers long after the satisfaction of low price.
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I have both the older TD-614 and the newer CR-814 (700 series) with hookup for rear CD player. Both have the EQ plug on the back- is this where you hooked your interface? I know the 814 has the other small round plug for the CD.
Thanks
Scot
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Hi Scot,
I went for the equalizer jack. On the CR-712 it is an 8-pin DIN. Line level in and out plus ground. I don't know, but assume this is the way it is on many in this era.
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Art Benstein near Baltimore
Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.
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Excellent! I don't suppose you have a pin out of the plug?
Thanks
Scot
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Pinout? Absolutely. On mine 1= left out 2= ground 3= left in 4= right out, and 5= right in. If you can't make out the pin numbers embossed in the molding (another two pair of glasses challenge) this pdf courtesy of digi-key shows how the DIN jack is numbered: http://www.cui.com/pdffiles/SDS-80J.pdf
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Art Benstein near Baltimore
Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else.
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Thanks for the info, by the way how do you trigger (switch to aux mode) there has to be a pin with signal sent back to the amp or main unit. I have the SR- 7145 on both 760 turbos and I have been working on this for a while.
It seams there is either a relay or something else which switches to tape mode and that's where you play your mp3 player, I haven't been able to figure out for sure yet what this pin is and what this voltage is,
Thanks, Alex
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Hi Alex,
On our radios, CR-712, which are a bit off topic because they are typically 240 radios, the equalizer plug did not have any control wiring. It isn't an aux input like we all are looking for, just a place to connect an accessory equalizer. So it just has the 5 pins connected. I take power by tapping the motorized antenna trigger - hope the switch can handle the extra 1/2 amp.
The little Radio Shack box with the heat sink contains a high-power USB source simulator for the ipod's "special needs", and a relay to select the audio source when it sees the 3.3V accessory power signal on ipod pin 18.
The charging source has been a challenge for me; not quite as simple as the 500mA 5V regulator I expected to build. I don't want to burn up any of my kids' ipods.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore
If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.
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Art,
I think I had the same problem a while back, when my SRS light came up out of the blue- I was feeding a 3V portable CD player with an adapter from the cigarette lighter, and at the same time had tapped in the wires to the amp of the SR 7145 made by Alpine- at least the chips say so, eventually I ended up buying few NiMh rechargeable D series bat. and a cage, so I have enough A/H to play for 9-10 hours, and then simply replace them- the advantage is very clean sound compare to ac adapter and if I ever run out of batteries- just put the regular D series from the gas station. Of course the biggest disadvantage is that you constantly have to monitor or change your rechargeable, I wish I had 2 banks- one hooked up to the car 12 V system and one playing the ipod or AUX device, and a switch- which will put one of the banks for charging and the opposite for powering, you don't have to spend too much money for that, you can even go with couple of AA rechargeables in each bank, that's just an idea. Right now I am using a $20 MP3 player which feeds the music trough the FM, and I hate it, I will definitely, find a solution, I hate the extra noise from that.
Regards,
Alex
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Us 900 owners with the CR814 can't even use a tape adaptor, because the deck has a tape sensing system that kicks it out. That's why I just spent $80 on an auxilary input adaptor made by Soundgate (AUXMSTVL1V3). Anyone have experience with these?
Wish I'd seen this thread before I invested in this adaptor...
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